Specialized Experience Examples for Air Carrier and General Aviation
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 (Operations) GS-7
- Second-in-command (First Officer) for a Title 14 CFR Part 91, 91K, 121, 125, 129, or 135 operator
- Simulator/Flight Instructor functions performed by a Second-in-command or Flight Engineer for a Part 91, 91K, 121, 125, 129, or 135 operator
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 (Operations) GS-9
- Pilot-in-command for a Title 14 CFR Part 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 (9 or less) operator
- Simulator/Flight Instructor functions performed by a Pilot-in-command for a Part 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 (9 or less) operator
- Director of Training or Assistant Director of Training for a Part 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 (9 or less) operator
- Simulator/Flight Instructor in Part 141 pilot school or Part 142 training center
- Military Aircraft Commander
- Military Instructor Pilot
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 organized policies or regulations, and specific guidelines to ensure
compliance with organizational policies or regulations, for example:
- Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) GS-11
- Pilot-in-command for a Title 14 CFR Part 121 operator
- Simulator/Flight Instructor functions performed by a Pilot-in-command for a Part 121 operator
- Director of Training or Assistant Director of Training for a Part 121 operator
- Pilot-in-command for a Part 135 (10 or more) operator
- Simulator/Flight Instructor functions performed by a Pilot-in-command for a Part 135 (10 or more) operator
- Director of Training or Assistant Director of Training for a Part 135 (10 or more) operator
- Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, or Domicile Chief Pilot for a Part 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 (10 or more) operator
- Director of Operations or Assistant Director of Operations for a Part 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 (10 or more) operator
- Check Airman for a Part 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 operator
- Chief Flight Instructor or Assistant Chief Flight Instructor in Part 141 pilot school or Part 142 training center
- Squadron Operations Officer
- Pilot Proficiency Examiner, Training Center Evaluator, or Designated Pilot Examiner
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 access
the impact on overall organizational objectives. Examples of such experiences include:
- Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) GS-12
- Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, or Domicile Chief Pilot for a Title 14 CFR Part 121 operator
- Director of Operations or Assistant Director of Operations for a Part 121 operator
- Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, or Domocile Chief Pilot for a Part 135 operator
- Director of Operations or Assistant Director of Operations for a part 135 operator
- Check Airman for a Part 135 or 121 operator
- Aircrew Program Designee for a Part 135 or 121 operator
- School Designated Examiner in Part 141 pilot school or Part 142 training center
- Wing/Group Director of Operations or Squadron, Company, Battalion, Wing, Group, or Regiment Commander
- STAN-BOARD or STAN/EVAL Check Pilot or NATOPS Evaluator
- Flight Examiner in a military training school
- Designated Pilot Examiner, Training Center Evaluator, Designated Pilot Examiner (Large Aircraft)
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
- Continually monitors the activities of organizations to determine whether they are following their authorized program, Federal regulation, and good safety practices
- Participates 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
- Exercise broad authority to negotiate with carrier management and make technical determinations within the coverage of approved specifications and policy manuals
- Carries out assignments that primarily require knowledge of flight operation of a particular type of four-engine turboprop aircraft or large turbojet aircraft
- Analyzes pilot training; gives flight tests and proficiency checks to pilots and other airmen and evaluates schools that train airmen to operate a particular type of aircraft
- Exercises certificate authority for flight operations or maintenance over one or more air carrier, contact operators, and air travel clubs that collectively employ a fleet of large aircraft powered by turbine or piston engines
- 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)
- Receives and follow-up on complaints about organization(s) for which they are responsible
- 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
- Plans and conducts inspections and surveillance of assigned area of carrier operations to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation regulations
- Negotiates with carrier officials on violations, deficiencies, and other action items
- Conducts initial certification and periodic flight checks of airmen operating large multiengine aircraft using advanced instrument flight techniques
- Evaluates and in some cases issues certificates to flight and ground schools that give training in the operation of that type of aircraft
- Issues waivers for experimental aircraft, air shows, or other unusual aviation operations (e.g., approving external load helicopter operations in congested urban areas). Making initial determination of limitations and conditions
- Issues certificates to and monitoring one or more air taxi and/or executive operations that characteristically involve factors of special difficulty such as the following: (1) Operation or a large territory (several states or major cities); (2) scheduled passenger separations; (3) diverse types of aircraft including turbine powered or large piston-engine models; and (4) unpredictable variations from month to month regarding the scope of operations, personnel, and aircraft involved
- 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:
- Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of aircraft
- Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of aircraft
- Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely
- Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to aircraft and develops plans to resolve problems
- 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
- Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service
- 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 broad and varied or complex general aviation organizations such as air taxis, executive and/or industrial operators, repair stations, and flight and mechanic schools