Chief Pilot Requirements/Questions

[CRJDriver]

Does anyone know if there are any specific requirements to be a Chief Pilot? I couldn't find anything in the FARs, except Chief Flight Instructor. The requirements they told me were 750TT and CFII, which I exceed, but seemed very low to me to be a Chief Pilot.

This Chief Pilot position would be managing a small flight department associated with an FBO that mostly conducts scenic flights, glider flights, glider instruction, powered instruction, aerobatic instruction, tailwheel instruction, and backcountry flying. Job duties would include things such as personnel and aircraft management, flight instruction, etc. Aircraft range from Single Engine Cessnas, Extra 300, Tailwheels to a CE-501.

Some of the benefits of this job would include Heath insurance, retirement plane, etc. and Glider Training.

They asked for salary requirements, and I've got a ballpark figure in my mind, but looking for some suggestions from the JC crowd or someone who is/was in a similar position.

I think it could be a good and fun job, but I have the feeling it is mostly pushing papers and not a whole lot of flying.

 

[nwpac]

I don't know for sure but I think I've heard something about three years of 135 line experience.

 

[Roger, Roger]

If they have a 135 certificate, here's your requirements. If not, it's whatever the company wants it to be.

(c) To serve as Chief Pilot under §119.69(a) for a certificate holder conducting any operation for which the pilot in command is required to hold an airline transport pilot certificate a person must hold an airline transport pilot certificate with appropriate ratings and be qualified to serve as pilot in command in at least one aircraft used in the certificate holder's operation and:
(1) In the case of a person becoming a Chief Pilot for the first time ever, have at least 3 years experience, within the past 6 years, as pilot in command of an aircraft operated under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter.
(2) In the case of a person with previous experience as a Chief Pilot, have at least 3 years experience as pilot in command of an aircraft operated under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter.
(d) To serve as Chief Pilot under §119.69(a) for a certificate holder that only conducts operations for which the pilot in command is required to hold a commercial pilot certificate, a person must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate. If an instrument rating is required for any pilot in command for that certificate holder, the Chief Pilot must also hold an instrument rating. The Chief Pilot must be qualified to serve as pilot in command in at least one aircraft used in the certificate holder's operation. In addition, the Chief Pilot must:
(1) In the case of a person becoming a Chief Pilot for the first time ever, have at least 3 years experience, within the past 6 years, as pilot in command of an aircraft operated under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter.
(2) In the case of a person with previous experience as a Chief Pilot, have at least 3 years experience as pilot in command of an aircraft operated under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter.

 

[minitour]

You can get a waiver if you don't meet the experience requirements, but good luck.

-mini

 

[OldTownPilot]

That all sounds like a part 91 "Chief Pilot". No real minimums as far as the feds are concerned. Like the rest of part 91 compared to 135 and 121, pretty much anything goes. That does sound like a sweet gig. Good chance to network into a Corp job too I'd think. As for the pay, I dunno, get what you can, you'd figure a CP would be salaried. Looking that they manage a citation and For all that they want you to do, I'd want to get north of 70k, south of 50k seems lowballing, and I'm sure someone out there would do it 30k. A CP of a citation should be north of 70k.

 

[CRJDriver]

Thanks for all the info. I don't think they got anything on 135, so basically 91 CP.

 

[Patrick]

That sounds like a sweet gig if you can make it work, without having to work for free!

 

[TUCKnTRUCK]

I hear that they make you sell your Soul if you don't meet duty times

 

[Bandit_Driver]

Since you are also doing HR work and Instructing on top of CP duties I woujld say 80-100K would be fair. A good HR person would cost them 35-50K.

 

[CRJDriver]

Since you are also doing HR work and Instructing on top of CP duties I woujld say 80-100K would be fair. A good HR person would cost them 35-50K.

Would be nice, but I don't think they will go for that. This is an FBO at an uncontrolled airport in a small town with a population of about 1300 people. I don't even understand why they would need a Chief Pilot. They have a Chief CFI, Director of Ops, MX, etc. and a lot of experienced instructors. They got an office staff to handle the FBO duties. Here is the basic low-down of the duties I got...

The responsibilities extend to, but are not limited to personnel management, aircraft management, flight schedule maintenance, aircraft maintenance scheduling, flight instruction, powered and glider scenic flights, and aircraft ferry flights. There are also several fly-ins and other events hosted at the FBO that the Chief Pilot is expected to help organize and attend.

So I don't know, seems like they would have the staff to cover all these things, but I'll probably inquire to get more specifics about the actual job in terms of duties and how much work would be involved. They said to e-mail salary requirements, but they also listed $25k-$40k/yr.

 

[Polar742]

check the 8900 for more guidance. sorry for the curt answer. I'm typing from this little phone.

 

[derg]

check the 8900 for more guidance. sorry for the curt answer. I'm typing from this little phone.

Pennsylvania?

 

[Bandit_Driver]

Would be nice, but I don't think they will go for that. This is an FBO at an uncontrolled airport in a small town with a population of about 1300 people. I don't even understand why they would need a Chief Pilot. They have a Chief CFI, Director of Ops, MX, etc. and a lot of experienced instructors. They got an office staff to handle the FBO duties. Here is the basic low-down of the duties I got...

The responsibilities extend to, but are not limited to personnel management, aircraft management, flight schedule maintenance, aircraft maintenance scheduling, flight instruction, powered and glider scenic flights, and aircraft ferry flights. There are also several fly-ins and other events hosted at the FBO that the Chief Pilot is expected to help organize and attend.

So I don't know, seems like they would have the staff to cover all these things, but I'll probably inquire to get more specifics about the actual job in terms of duties and how much work would be involved. They said to e-mail salary requirements, but they also listed $25k-$40k/yr.

If you take on that much work for 40k you're selling yourself short.

They essentially want you to do a few peoples job. I had an offer similar to this when I was starting out and walked away from it. On top of all those duties they also wanted me to be their website designer and ad person all for 20K...

Normally the Chief Pilot is responsible for the general supervision of the flight crews for the purpose of maintaining a high level of proficiency, safety, and standardization in flight operations and personnel management. The CP is also responsible for items such as:

Crews meet company standards and complying with CFR's
Assisting the DO
Exercising Operation Control in the absence of the DO
Pilot hiring and upgrading
Pilot Currency
etc