Flight Test - Flight Operations Captain

United Airlines•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network. Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together. Description Key Responsibilities: Tests aircraft on the ground and flight to check operation and performance. Handles assigned duties and technology projects. Collateral duties may include responsibility for Standards, Safety, Fleet Test Captain, Fleet Strategy Coordinator, Test Card Writer, Chronic Aircraft Program, Aircraft Ferry Operations Manual, Training Records, Flight Test Database, Flight Test Operations Manual, Schedules Writer, Special Projects, ODA Coordinator, Designated STC Pilot, DENTK Liaison and Training, Flight Test Duty Officer, and New Aircraft Acceptance Pilot. Ascertains that normal and emergency systems operate on major maintenance and factory accepted aircraft within acceptable tolerances as outlined in the specific UA Flight Manual and Flight Test Manual. Provides a troubleshooting capability to Line Maintenance for peculiar or chronic aircraft problems. Flies all Non-Routine Flight Operations (NRFO) Group II missions requiring other than normal procedures. Flies Maintenance Ferry flights as assigned per existing regulations. Flies all test flights such as diagnostic, heavy maintenance or maintenance validation per existing regulations. Flies other flights as directed such as Group I NRFO, STC, Operational Confirmation, or position flights. Provides detailed write-ups and post-flight debriefing as appropriate. Performs related duties as assigned such as writing and revising Flight Test Procedures, performing qualitative and quantitative engineering flight tests on aircraft, evaluating systems on proposed projects and current aircraft, attending pilot training courses, and maintaining required proficiency level on each type of aircraft. Maintains all qualifications current such as medical, passport, visas and badging. This is not an ALPA-represented role or a seniority list position. Flight Technical 1. Maintains qualification and currency for multiple aircraft types in both seats as assigned 2. Flies all test profiles world-wide for those aircraft 3. Full time test pilot as well as manager of assigned projects 4. Writer and reviewer for assigned technical projects, checklists, and manuals Leadership/Management 1. Assigned leadership/management responsibilities may include Standards, Safety, Fleet Test Captain, Fleet Strategy Coordinator, Test Card Writer, Chronic Aircraft Program, Aircraft Ferry Operations Manual, Training Records, Flight Test Database, Flight Test Operations Manual, Schedules Writer, Special Projects, ODA Coordinator, Designated STC Pilot, DENTK Liaison and Training, Flight Test Duty Officer, and New Aircraft Acceptance Pilot 2. May be assigned responsibility for specific leadership and test operations 24/7/365, including international routing and management 3. May be assigned to maintain training records, real-time currency status, and personnel files for flight test 4. Regularly communicates safety and operational issues 5. Works aircraft quality and routing concerns with company leaders External Working Groups 1. Works with United Tech Ops Airframe and Base Maintenance personnel as primary customers 2. Leads daily test operations as Flight Test Duty Officer 3. Coordinates test requirements for Line aircraft with Liaison Engineering 4. Works with Line Maintenance Policy and Procedures for MOP instructions, and Maintenance Planning for aircraft work volumes and schedules 5. Coordinates closely with Operational Engineering for the Aircraft Ferry Manual and other technical issues 6. Communicates with other major airline test and technical groups as required 7. Works on national/international groups 8. Communicates with aircraft manufacturer test representatives 9. Works closely with Outside Vendors 10. Consults with Dispatch and Engineering for unique ferry requirements Project Management Work 1. Flies project work such as New Aircraft Acceptance/Delivery, new technology, and supplemental type certificate flights as assigned 2. Writer or reviewer for Flight Test Operational Manual inputs, test checklists, and ferry manual changes Fiscal Responsibility 1. Ensures company return on investment from test operations is maximized through efficient use of travel and flight test operations 2. May be assigned responsibility for test pilot training contract and fiscal execution 3. Works other issues such as crew accommodations, interline travel and fuel efficiency

Requirements

College graduate with bachelor’s degree
Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
Current FAA First Class Medical
Current Passport
Airline Captain or Military Flight Test leadership/management
Flight Test or Functional Check Flight experience
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

Nice To Haves

College degree in Engineering
Test Pilot School Graduate
Airline, Flight Test, Training, Management and Leadership experience career combination
Recent Flight Test experience (4 yrs. out of the past 10)
Proven work ethic
Type ratings in aircraft owned and operated by United Airlines
Systems Engineering, Flight Test, Leadership skills
Recency in flying: 20 hours or more in the past 12 months

Responsibilities

Tests aircraft on the ground and flight to check operation and performance.
Handles assigned duties and technology projects.
Ascertains that normal and emergency systems operate on major maintenance and factory accepted aircraft within acceptable tolerances as outlined in the specific UA Flight Manual and Flight Test Manual.
Provides a troubleshooting capability to Line Maintenance for peculiar or chronic aircraft problems.
Flies all Non-Routine Flight Operations (NRFO) Group II missions requiring other than normal procedures.
Flies Maintenance Ferry flights as assigned per existing regulations.
Flies all test flights such as diagnostic, heavy maintenance or maintenance validation per existing regulations.
Flies other flights as directed such as Group I NRFO, STC, Operational Confirmation, or position flights.
Provides detailed write-ups and post-flight debriefing as appropriate.
Performs related duties as assigned such as writing and revising Flight Test Procedures, performing qualitative and quantitative engineering flight tests on aircraft, evaluating systems on proposed projects and current aircraft, attending pilot training courses, and maintaining required proficiency level on each type of aircraft.
Maintains all qualifications current such as medical, passport, visas and badging.
Maintains qualification and currency for multiple aircraft types in both seats as assigned
Flies all test profiles world-wide for those aircraft
Full time test pilot as well as manager of assigned projects
Writer and reviewer for assigned technical projects, checklists, and manuals
Assigned leadership/management responsibilities may include Standards, Safety, Fleet Test Captain, Fleet Strategy Coordinator, Test Card Writer, Chronic Aircraft Program, Aircraft Ferry Operations Manual, Training Records, Flight Test Database, Flight Test Operations Manual, Schedules Writer, Special Projects, ODA Coordinator, Designated STC Pilot, DENTK Liaison and Training, Flight Test Duty Officer, and New Aircraft Acceptance Pilot
May be assigned responsibility for specific leadership and test operations 24/7/365, including international routing and management
May be assigned to maintain training records, real-time currency status, and personnel files for flight test
Regularly communicates safety and operational issues
Works aircraft quality and routing concerns with company leaders
Works with United Tech Ops Airframe and Base Maintenance personnel as primary customers
Leads daily test operations as Flight Test Duty Officer
Coordinates test requirements for Line aircraft with Liaison Engineering
Works with Line Maintenance Policy and Procedures for MOP instructions, and Maintenance Planning for aircraft work volumes and schedules
Coordinates closely with Operational Engineering for the Aircraft Ferry Manual and other technical issues
Communicates with other major airline test and technical groups as required
Works on national/international groups
Communicates with aircraft manufacturer test representatives
Works closely with Outside Vendors
Consults with Dispatch and Engineering for unique ferry requirements
Flies project work such as New Aircraft Acceptance/Delivery, new technology, and supplemental type certificate flights as assigned
Writer or reviewer for Flight Test Operational Manual inputs, test checklists, and ferry manual changes
Ensures company return on investment from test operations is maximized through efficient use of travel and flight test operations
May be assigned responsibility for test pilot training contract and fiscal execution
Works other issues such as crew accommodations, interline travel and fuel efficiency