Specialized Experience Examples for Air Carrier Maintenance (AM) and General Aviation Maintenance (GM)
Examples of GS-7/FG-7 (Equivalent G Band) Specialized Experience
Work involves developmental assignments which assist employees of higher grade. Work at this level is typically subject to close review and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with instructions, for example:
- Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) GS-7
- Inspector or Lead Mechanic for a Title 14 CFR Part 91, 91K, 121, 125, or 135 operator
- Inspector or Lead Mechanic for a Part 145 repair station with airframe and/or power plant ratings
- Inspector, Lead Mechanic, or Flight Engineer maintaining airframes and/or power plants for a state or federal government agency
- Crew Chief, Plane Captain, or Flight Engineer in the military service
- Quality Control Inspector inspecting the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants in the military service
Examples of GS-9/FG-9 (Equivalent G Band) Specialized Experience
Work involves assignments involving familiar aircraft, facilities, and equipment. Work at this level is typically subject to review and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with instructions, for example:
- Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) GS-9
- Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineer for a Title 14 CFR Part 145 repair station with airframe and/or power plant ratings
- Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineer for a Part 121, or 135 (Ten or more) operator
- Maintenance Controller for a Part 121, or 135 (Ten or more) operator
- Maintenance Supervisor/Manager for a Part 91, 91K, 125, or 135 (Nine or less) operator
- Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineer for a state or federal government agency
- Maintenance Supervisor or Manager supervising the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants for a state or federal government agency
- Line/Flight Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor supervising the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants in the military service
Examples of GS-11/FG-11 (Equivalent H Band) Specialized Experience
Work involves assignments with a broad scope of responsibility, more variety, and
less clear guidelines. Work at this level is typically subject to review to assure
compliance with organizational policies or regulations, and specific guidelines
to ensure compliance with organizational policies or regulations, for example:
- Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) GS-11
- Quality Assurance Representative/Auditor for a Title 14 CFR Part 121, or 135 (Ten or more) operator
- Supervisory Inspector for a Part 91, 91K, 121, 125, or 135 operator
- General Foreman, Foreman, Shift Supervisor, or Shift Manager for a Part 121, or 135 (Ten or more) operator
- Supervisory Inspector for a Part 145 repair station with airframe and/or power plant ratings
- General Foreman, Foreman, Shift Supervisor, or Shift Manager for a Part 145 repair station with airframe and/or power plant ratings
- Supervisory Inspector inspecting the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants for a state or federal government agency
- Quality Assurance Specialist inspecting the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants for a state or federal government agency
- Supervisory Inspector inspecting the maintenance of airframes and/or power plants in the military service
Examples of GS-12/FG-12 (Equivalent H Band) Specialized Experience
Work involving a wide range of assignments or a few highly complex assignments,
requiring planning and organization, setting priorities, and working without clear
or specific guidelines. Work at this level is typically reviewed only to assess
the impact on overall organizational objectives. Examples of such experiences include:
- Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) GS-12
- Manager above General Foreman/Supervisory Inspector for a Title 14 CFR Part 121, or 135 (Ten or more) operator
- Manager above General Foreman/Supervisory Inspector for a Part 145 repair station with airframe and/or power plant ratings
- Maintenance Shop/Branch Chief or Superintendent in the military service responsible for managing an organization through subordinate supervisors which included systems maintenance
Examples of GS-13/FG-13 (Equivalent I Band) Specialized Experience
Work involves issuing certificates to and monitoring a large complex aviation organization
or a number of smaller organizations that, together, are comparable in complexity
to one large one. Work at this level is typically reviewed from an overall standpoint
for accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness in meeting requirements, for example:
- Evaluates and decides upon proposals to change the authorized programs of organizations
- Participate extensively in the certification inspection and surveillance of highly complex air carrier operations where principal program responsibility is vested in an aviation safety inspector of higher grade
- Exercises broad authority to negotiate with carrier management and make technical determinations within the coverage of approved specifications and policy manuals
- Approves the airworthiness of aircraft; the adequacy of maintenance programs; training programs for mechanics, repairmen, pilots, and other flight personnel; the nature and scope of the operation (e.g., the kind of cargo, passenger, and geographic area covered); adequacy of maintenance facilities and airports; and the overall adequacy of the organization in terms of safety
- Monitors, plans or conducts inspection programs including periodic en route and ramp inspections
- Receives information and follows-up on any changes in the approved program (e.g., change in route, new or modified aircraft, new or modified maintenance programs or facilities)
- Evaluates and approves or disapproves applications by maintenance facilities for approved repair station certificates and ratings; deciding whether facilities, equipment, materials, personnel, inspections methods and maintenance practices and techniques are satisfactory to ensure airworthiness of aircraft
- Evaluates broad program elements of flight operation or maintenance activities of a major carrier and decides upon modification or additions to operating procedures and policy guides
- Recommends approval or disapproval of certificate amendments and substantial changes in operating specification to a senior aviation safety inspector who is the principal representative for the carrier
- Negotiates with carrier officials on violation, deficiencies, and other action items
- Provides extensive technical and regulatory guidance to persons desiring to enter to aviation business and advice and assistance to operations in dealing with their day-to-day problems
Examples of GS-14/FG-14 (Equivalent J Band) Specialized Experience
Work involves unusual complexity and the organizations monitored are major factors
in the industry. Inspectors at this level establish technical procedures and performance
yardsticks and review complete flight operation or maintenance programs for major
air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry. Supervisors give GS-14 employees
a wide leeway for independent action, for example:
- Serves as a regional expert on a particular type of sophisticated multi-engine turbojet aircraft
- Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification
- Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely
- Serves as the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities
- Exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex operations
- Evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities which are equipped and staffed to handle the latest and most sophisticated turbojet aircraft and associated systems
- Responsible for nationally and internationally prominent carriers who operate the largest, most advance fleet of turbojet aircraft in the industry
- Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex or broad and varied general aviation organization such as air taxis, executive and/or industrial operators, repair stations, and flight and mechanic schools
