Chief Pilot

ATS is looking for a Chief Pilot to work in Albuquerque, NM. The Rotary Wing Chief Pilot is a senior aviation leadership role responsible for overseeing the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of rotary-wing aircraft. The position combines operational oversight, regulatory compliance, crew management, and safety leadership.

The Chief Pilot leads all flight operations conducted under the contract, supervising the pilots and flight engineers who perform Functional Check Flights (FCFs) and ferry flights for the UH-1N and HH-60W aircraft. This position establishes and enforces flight standards, crew qualification and currency programs, mission planning procedures, and risk management practices in accordance with applicable Air Force instructions (e.g., AFMAN 11-2H-60, AFI 11-202V3), FAA regulations, and contract requirements. The Chief Pilot personally performs FCF, MTF, and ferry duties as required, serving as a working supervisor and the technical authority on functional check flight procedures, post-maintenance flight clearance, and aircrew coordination with maintenance. They also serve as the primary flight operations interface with the GFR, customer flight leadership, and the Director of Maintenance to ensure seamless coordination between flight and maintenance activities.

To join our team of outstanding professionals, apply today!


Responsibilities

• Direct all Maintenance Test Flight operations.
• Supervise assigned Maintenance Test Pilots.
• Develop annual standardization training.
• Conduct pilot evaluations and check rides.
• Review all Functional Check Flight documentation.
• Ensure compliance with Air Force Technical Orders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable flight manuals.
• Coordinate aircraft acceptance and return-to-service flights.
• Review aircraft discrepancies requiring test flight validation.
• Advise Maintenance Operations on aircraft airworthiness.
• Conduct high-risk and complex Functional Check Flights.
• Perform acceptance flights following depot-level maintenance or major modifications.
• Review flight data and maintenance trends.
• Participate in Mishap Prevention and Operational Risk Management programs.
• Develop local flight operating procedures.
• Serve as liaison between Government Flight Operations and contractor maintenance leadership.
• Participate in Quality Assurance investigations involving aircraft flight characteristics.
• Mentor and train newly assigned Test Pilots.
• Maintain pilot currency and qualifications.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Flight Experience.
• Minimum 3,000 total rotary-wing flight hours.
• Minimum 1,000 Pilot-in-Command (PIC) hours.
• Minimum 500 hours in UH-1N, UH-60, HH-60, or equivalent military helicopter.
• Minimum 300 hours performing Maintenance Test Flights (MTF) or Functional Check Flights (FCF).
• Minimum 200 hours Night Vision Goggle (NVG).
• Instrument qualified.
• Aircraft Commander qualified.

Military Qualifications

Must have successfully completed one of the following:

• USAF Functional Check Flight Certification.
• Army Maintenance Test Pilot Course.
• Navy Functional Check Flight Program.
• Equivalent military Maintenance Test Pilot qualification.
• Requires graduation from a recognized military Maintenance Test Pilot or Functional Check Flight program for comparable rotary-wing maintenance test pilot positions.

FAA Requirements

• FAA Commercial Rotorcraft-Helicopter Certificate.
• Instrument Rating.
• Current FAA Second Class Medical Certificate (or ability to obtain).
• Current Flight Physical.

Leadership Experience

Minimum 10 years military rotary-wing aviation experience including experience as one or more of the following:

• Chief Pilot.
• Maintenance Test Pilot.
• Functional Check Pilot.
• Evaluator Pilot.
• Instructor Pilot.
• Flight Commander.
• Director of Operations.
• Standardization Pilot.

Minimum 3 years supervisory experience leading military or contractor flight operations.

Extensive knowledge of:

• Functional Check Flight procedures.
• Maintenance Test Flight procedures.
• Aircraft systems troubleshooting.
• Airworthiness certification.
• Risk Management (ORM).
• Crew Resource Management (CRM).
• Technical Orders.
• Aircraft Forms documentation.
• Weight and Balance.
• Flight planning.
• Aircraft limitations.
• Emergency procedures.
• Quality Assurance programs.
• Maintenance documentation systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Aviation, Aeronautics, Engineering, or related field.

Job ID

2026-24207
Work Type

On-Site
Company Description

Work Where it Matters

Akima Technical Solutions (ATS), an Akima company, is not just another federal technical solutions contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At ATS, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders , ATS provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers , ATS delivers a full spectrum of logistics and supply chain services that meet our customers' most stringent mandates and metrics.

As an ATS employee , you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.