Chief Pilot

Caterpillar Inc.•Fort Worth, TX

3d•$177,720 - $266,590•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar has an exciting opportunity for a Chief Pilot within Caterpillar Aviation Services. This role provides leadership and operational oversight for Caterpillar's corporate flight operations while also serving as a qualified pilot supporting company aircraft. The Chief Pilot is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of flight safety, operational readiness, regulatory compliance, pilot performance, and professional conduct. This individual will lead a team of professional pilots and cabin safety professionals supporting executive travel and partner closely with aviation leadership, maintenance, scheduling, and flight operations teams to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations. This highly visible leadership position supports Caterpillar's executive leadership team and requires strong judgment, technical aviation expertise, communication skills, and the ability to lead in a dynamic corporate aviation environment.

Requirements

FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
First-Class Medical Certificate issued by an FAA-certified physician.
Minimum 10 years of relevant aviation experience including international flight operations.
Significant fixed-wing flight experience, typically demonstrated by 3000+ flight hours.
Instrument flight experience, including experience operating in complex aviation environments.
Experience operating within a FAR Part 91 corporate aviation environment strongly preferred.
Experience in one or more of the following: Corporate Aviation Operations, FAR Part 135 Operations, FAR Part 121 Aviation Operations, Military Aviation Operations
Demonstrated leadership experience supervising or leading pilots, cabin safety professionals (FA’s), aviation teams, or flight operations.
Strong knowledge of FAA regulations, corporate aviation operations, and aviation safety standards.
Exceptional leadership, organizational, decision-making, and communication skills.
Clean safety and regulatory record with no accidents or violations.

Nice To Haves

Gulfstream GVII and/or GVIII Type Ratings.
Experience operating Gulfstream G500 and G700 aircraft.
Experience in comparable large-cabin corporate aircraft.
Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, Chief of Training, Lead Captain, or Flight Operations leadership experience.
Military aviation leadership experience.
Experience supporting executive and corporate flight department operations.
Experience managing pilot scheduling, crew readiness, training programs, and operational standards.
Strong background in aviation safety programs and Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee day-to-day pilot operations within Caterpillar Aviation Services.
Provide operational leadership for Caterpillar's corporate flight department, ensuring adherence to safety standards, regulatory compliance, operational readiness, and service excellence.
Provide leadership, coaching, and development to a team of approximately 10 pilots and 3 cabin safety professionals.
Maintain pilot standards, operational readiness, regulatory compliance, flight section budget, and flight department procedures.
Ensure effective pilot scheduling, reserve coverage, and crew availability to meet corporate travel requirements.
Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, accountability, and operational excellence.
Serve as a qualified pilot supporting executive transportation requirements worldwide.
Support executive transportation activities for Caterpillar's senior leadership team, including executive officers, Group Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, and other key stakeholders.
Ensure flight planning, weather criteria, aircraft performance, and weight and balance requirements have been met prior to flight operations.
Conduct or ensure completion of aircraft pre-flight inspections and passenger briefings in accordance with FAA regulations.
Maintain compliance with FAA regulations, company policies, customs requirements, immigration requirements, and international operating requirements.
Serve as the department leader for pilot safety standards and operational discipline.
Support Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development for flight crews.
Partner with aviation training leadership to ensure pilot qualifications, certifications, and currency requirements are maintained.
Support pilot recruiting, selection, development, and succession planning activities.
Evaluate operational effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve procedures, safety, and efficiency.
Collaborate with maintenance, scheduling, and aviation support personnel to maximize aircraft availability and operational readiness.
Support executive transportation requirements while balancing safety, regulatory requirements, and operational efficiency.
Serve as a trusted advisor on aviation operations, pilot standards, and flight department performance.