COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Pinnacle is seeking a Chief Pilot to support our International Operations Business Area for an Afghanistan-based opportunity. Pinnacle, headquartered in Huntsville, AL, is a leading innovator, developer, and provider of defense and aerospace products and services. Pinnacle fosters a corporate culture with many opportunities for advancement and career progression. We are a dynamic, fast-paced organization that is experiencing exponential growth. Pinnacle has been on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019!  Pinnacle offers competitive, traditional benefits, and we are excited about our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)!

JOB DESCRIPTION

The chief pilot is responsible to the senior Program Manager (SPM) for the management of contract maintenance operations  in Afghanistan.  The contracted logistics support (CLS) keeps the 50-plus aircraft fleet of armed Afghani MD-530F helicopters operationally ready.

The Chief Pilot supervises assigned Maintenance Evaluator Pilots and Maintenance Test Pilots  across multiple sites in Afghanistan.   The Chief Pilot works with the Director of Maintenance to ensure strict adherence to all flight safety and airworthiness standards. As a part of the Program Management Office (PMO) team, the individual will be expected to support and lead subcontracted CLS providers, and to ensure the quality and timely delivery of all contractual items, including those provided by Pinnacle subcontractors. The Chief Pilot will assist in ensuring the program operates within contractual requirements, limitations, and company business and policy directives. 

Duties include  flight supervision, flight readiness inspections, completing operations and maintenance forms and aircraft log books.  Setting and enforcing the standards for aircrew training and evaluation.  Ensure assigned aircrew meet all currency, training, and documentation requirements in accordance governing flight regulations.  Perform standardization evaluations and provide flight instruction as required for assigned maintenance pilots.  Implement and manage an operational risk program.  Supervise all assigned pilots.  Establish and manage a flight safety program and champion mishap prevention to the organization; advises senior management on safety issues.  Comply with tri-service agreement to implement the Ground Flight Risk Clause.  Conduct MD 530F maintenance test flights  to determine that the airframe, power plant, armament, accessories and installed equipment are functioning IAW predetermined requirements.

Other duties include, but are not limited to, the ability to –
• Obtain proficient knowledge of the organization, direction, and requirements of the contract efforts and work closely with the SPM as necessary to support the customer.
• Work closely with PMO leadership team and pilot staff as required to address program deliverables (i.e. Human Resources, Recruiting, Finance, Quality/Compliance, Director of Maintenance)
• Provide direct liaison support and maintain positive working relationships with US and Afghanistani government management personnel.
• Secure Government Flight Representative approvals before conducting flight operations
• Assure the optimum utilization of program resources. 
• Maintain accurate records of program data, deliverable items, and material.
• Assist the SPM in monitoring, and balancing the constraints of scope, quality, schedule, budget, resources, and risk while satisfying project requirements and exceeding stakeholder expectations
• Assist the SPM to ensure achievement of contractually based financial, schedule, and technical performance objectives.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates must have: 
• A minimum of 14 years of pilot experience with a minimum of two years as a Maintenance Test Pilot
• Must be qualified in the  MD500 series or Boeing AH6i series of aircraft with at least 1500 hours total time, 1000 hours PIC time and 300 hours time in platform (as well as 200 hours as Maintenance Pilot time and 200 hours instructor time) 
• Must have an FAA Commercial Pilot or Airline Transport Pilot certificate in addition to documented flight records for maintenance test training and aircraft qualifications
• Must possess a current FAA Class II medical certificate and be able to meet applicable physical and physiological minimum requirements for the applicable aircraft. 
• Graduate of service aviation safety training. 
• Demonstrated experience with similar Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) military aviation CLS programs.  Experience working in the Middle Eastern region preferred. • •Experience working with multiple subcontracted suppliers for LN and OCN services support
• A current Secret Level security clearance and the ability to maintain such.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Hs diploma required. 
Bachelor's Degree preferred. 
Military or commercial certifications/degrees (i.e. A&P mechanic, Project Management Professional, Pilot…)  preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (Certifications, Etc.)

Must be a US Citizen. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Pinnacle Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans