Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter)

Job Title

Duties

Helps provides policy assistance and conducts periodic surveillance of designated pilot examiners, check airmen, air carrier training programs.

Some assignments involve wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight operations for technically advanced rotorcraft/helicopters. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft.

On a continuing basis, assures that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Chairs joint FAA-industry meetings; maintains regular contact with organizations assigned; and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval of they cannot be resolved.

Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries and aircraft incident and accidents.

Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings and gives depositions.

Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal airworthiness inspectors. Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL.

May be assigned other duties and responsibilities which are nongraded controlling.

Performs other duties as required.

A. Technical Administration

Develops new or innovative standards practices and procedures to address highly technical issues; as well as identifies the need for and recommends changes to national policies and procedures for certification and surveillance compliance.

Chairs joint FAA-industry meetings; explains, negotiates, and settles highly controversial and critical issues with key officials, including internal organizations, industry training organizations, and labor groups.

Prepares technical and other pertinent correspondence, responds to congressional inquiries; testifies at court trials and formal hearings resolving highly complex compliance, regulatory matters, and public complaints.

Provides advice and recommendations to Flight Standards and aviation safety initiatives to increase safety; provide training to inspectors.

Develops and implements thorough and well thought out plans regarding the management of risk in general aviation rotorcraft/helicopter operations.

The employee works with technically advanced helicopters for large operators or has oversight over large helicopter air ambulance operators. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over rotorcraft air carriers with very extensive and complex operations. Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of rotorcraft aircraft.

B. Certification

Evaluates training programs to ensure they meet the requirements of 14 CFR. Manages reliability team efforts during the development of the standards and procedures pertaining to training programs.

Reviews and approves or disapproves carriers technical procedures/manuals and revisions to such. May require amendments to previously approved documents to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with regulatory requirements; eliminate unsafe practices; and/or improve the specificity of instruction.

Evaluates training programs to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Approves or disapproves these training programs.

Approves/disapproves designation of check airmen and makes recommendations on the appointment of designees.