Aviation Safety Inspector (Ga Operations) (Principal Operations Inspector Flight Program) Job

Launch Your Career as a Principal Operations Inspector with the FAA

Are you a seasoned pilot or aviation professional looking to leverage your expertise to enhance safety across the skies? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently hiring for an Aviation Safety Inspector (Principal Operations Inspector - Flight Program). This role is a cornerstone of the FAA’s mission to ensure that general aviation operations remain the safest and most efficient in the world.

Job Responsibilities

The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) serves as a vital bridge between the FAA and the aviation industry. Your core responsibilities will include:

• Technical Administration: Ensuring that assigned operators are adequately organized, equipped, and staffed to meet 14 CFR regulatory standards.
• Certification: Reviewing and approving/disapproving manuals, training curricula, and operating specifications for air carriers and agencies.
• Surveillance: Monitoring training programs, base facilities, and route systems to identify safety trends and prevent potential hazards.
• Enforcement: Leading investigations into aircraft incidents, public complaints, and regulatory non-compliance issues.

Core Duty Comparison

Function	Focus Area	Impact
Certification	Manuals & Training	Ensuring adherence to safety protocols before operations begin
Surveillance	Trends & Facilities	Proactive identification of deterioration in safety margins
Enforcement	Compliance	Holding operators accountable to Federal Aviation Regulations

Requirements

To qualify for this position, you must meet stringent aviation experience benchmarks:

• Flight Hours: A minimum of 1,500 total flight hours and 100 hours in the last three years.
• Certifications: Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate and an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) or Commercial Pilot certificate with instrument ratings.
• Medical: Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.
• Discipline: A clean record regarding aviation accidents and regulatory violations within the last five years.

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive salary range of $90,925 to $118,214 per year, reflecting the high level of specialized skill and responsibility required to maintain the safety of the U.S. general aviation fleet.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you will have access to an extensive benefits package designed for long-term security, including:

• Federal health, vision, and dental insurance programs.
• A robust retirement package including FERS and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
• Generous leave accrual, including paid vacation and sick time.
• A culture that emphasizes professional growth and work-life balance.

Application Tips

Landing a position with the FAA requires precision in your application package:

1. Keep it Brief: Your resume must be two pages or less. Use every line effectively.
2. Be Explicit: Clearly state your total flight hours and the dates of your certifications. If a recruiter has to guess your qualifications, you may be marked ineligible.
3. No Narrative KSA: Do not spend time writing long narrative responses to KSA questions. Instead, embed those skills as clear examples within your chronological work history.
4. Resubmit Changes: If you edit your application on the portal, ensure you click 'submit' again, or your changes will not be captured.

If you have the experience and the dedication required to uphold the integrity of our national airspace, the FAA wants to hear from you. This is an opportunity to move from the flight deck to the front lines of safety policy. Start your application today and help us write the next chapter of aviation safety.