FAA flight check pilots
 

Anybody know what the process is for (or the exact job title) for the FAA pilots flying the Flight Check King Air's & Lear 60's? Are these direct entry positions, or do you have to start with something else within the FAA first?

I recently spoke with an FAA guy about this job. Don't really know the process but he said to keep at eye on the faa.gov website. He didn't mention to me about minimum times or anything. He said that you started out at a GS-11 paygrade for training and then moved to GS-12 after training. I believe the Lears are being replaced with more Challengers (604/605s). I think the actual name of the job is Flight Inspection Operations Group. You can search threads for both FAA Flight Inspection and Flying for FAA and get a little more information.

USMCFLYR

I think this could actually be a cush flying job. It definately sounds interesting, and you could technically be defined as "the administrator."

Hey everybody, i just checked www.usajobs.gov and did a series search for 2181 (pilot) and the FAA has put up announcements for "Airspace System Inspection Pilot." The close out dates for application are 23 June 2008. Looks like they have openings in Sacramento, Atlanta, Battle Creek MI, Atlantic City, and Oklahoma City.

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsear...=&zip=&x=0&y=0

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob....5&SUBMIT1.y=12
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob....5&SUBMIT1.y=12

thanks for the info...

from what I've been hearing from some guys that have done it, it is no longer the cushy job it once was.....job security tho.

Please share what you have been hearing about it. Not exactly sure what "cushy" actually entails - but the job security certainly is a nice part of a federal job!

USMCFLYR

How would an interview go for this kind of job? Probably pretty intense being they are the feds...

Gents,

Spanky here. I am trying to get one of the pilots in ACY to call or email me so that I can get more scoop/gouge for us. OBTW, please no one but me apply for the ACY position. Maybe then I can get the job. I hate competition :) :0)

Doesn't hurt to ask?

More to follow!

For a large % of the guys flying for the FAA.. it's a collateral duty, so you will have other administrative responsibilities.

For Military guys that will be ops normal, except for the Air Force they will be confused.....OMG a ground job associated with flying.

Also check out the list for 1825 series on the FAA website
http://jobs.faa.gov/Allfaajobs.htm
Currently open
Aviation Safety Inspector,FG-1825-09 / 12
http://jobs.faa.gov/announcement_det...?vac_id=101623

GS transition from Military
 

Do you guys know how your current mil-rank equates to GS positions? IE, do they hire you in at the equivalent grade, or can they knock you down a peg or two?

Also, are there any maximum hiring ages/mandatory retirement ages involved?

Don't worry, VQ2, I don't want KACY! Just trying to figure out if it is worth my time to fill out the mountain of forms if I could only get a few years out of it or it is a pay-cut.

UAL,

According to the Charts I have seen here is what I know:
Military Grade group Civilian Grade Group
O-7 thru O-10 SES -1 thru SES-6
O-6 GS-15
O-5 GS-13 and GS-14
O-4 GS-12
O-3 GS-10 and GS-11
O-2, W-3 & W-4 GS-8 and GS-9
O-1, W-1 & W-2 GS-7
E-7 thru E-9 GS-6
E-5 & E-6 GS-5

According to the job announcement you can be hired at 11, 12, or 13. On previous job announcements I have seen starting GS ranks based on the number of hours you have total with respect to what they are looking for. I am hoping for 13 and would take 12 to be honest. Retirement and 12/13 would keep me at the same level I am at now.

The max hiring age thing has to do with FLTC type (Customs, Border Patrol)flying jobs which right now is waived to 40. Federal law enforcement pilots have a mando retirement age of 55. I have met a GS pilot working for US Marshalls this past March that stated he could keep flying as long as he maintained a class 1 medical, his current age is 63.

I hope the info helps. Doesn't hurt to apply and then turn them down if something better is available.

Later,
Spanky

Once upon a time, the “equivalent rank” for GS employees was:
GS-12 O3
GS-13 O4
GS-14 O5
GS-15 O6
In reality, as a civil service employee you pay for your housing, meals (no BAH or BAS) and medical, so it’s not what you make, but what you keep. You are ranked and rated based on the job announcement and how well you meet benchmarks for breakpoints, which are most often explained in the announcement for a GS-9/11/12 bid.
Good luck

Thanks to All
 

Guys:

Yeah, I knew the equivalent rank vs GS Grade, just wasn't sure if they would honor it. Example: I have a Navy buddy who is getting out of the Navy as an 0-3, and getting hired in the Coast Guard--but they're knocking him down a rank.

It sounds like I figured: they could hire you at the equivalent grade, but probably won't--would make you work your way back up.

Still, I think a government job is a better bet than most others in this coming era. Thanks again for the info.

Any body knows what the current QOL is? What about the interview?
Also how does the pay scale work as far as getting max pay? (How long would it take to max out):)
I spoke to a guy in the SAC office and he said, the only thing he hated about the job was that from time to time the boss would talk about replacing them with contract guys because it would be cheaper. Can anyone expand on that!

The FAA inspectors (air carrier) make mo dough than the inspection pilots (I think)

They start as 12's and make 13 in about a year then 14 3 years later (100K)

FAA Pilots pay scales.
 

:mad:The FAA inspectors (air carrier) make mo dough than the inspection pilots (I think)

They start as 12's and make 13 in about a year then GS :(14 3 years later (100K)

i sent my app in to Oklahoma city today, has anyone heard back yet??

I was told that the Flight Inspection pilots make the same as you have listed above.

USMCFLYR

I received the receipt notice in the mail that they got my app. That is it so far. I applied for the ACY position.

I sent in my app for the ATL opening. Anyone else out there apply?

I sent my app in for every slot just to get in the door about a week ago. VQ2 how long did it take for you to get your respone from them that they got your app?

About 1 week from the date time stamp on the response sheet I filled out.

Nothing else yet.

When I applied to Customs many moons ago, I received an eligibility letter that states how many points out of 100 you had after the application receipt.

I will be going to FAA in ACY on July 17 to brief the summer camp kids. If I get any more info I will be sure to spread the word.


Any gouge on the interview format?

My information is 10 years old but FWIW, I interviewed for flight check position at the FAA academy in OKC. The interview was straightforward and pleasant. Nothing out of the ordinary and I was able to ask lots of questions during the interview. Afterwards I was invited to fly a KingAir 350. Normal checkout steep turns, stalls, instrument approaches, again straightforward the check airman was helpful and the aircraft was fun to fly.

I ended up turning down the job because of my wifes objection to living in OKC for two years minimum. At the time it was explained to me your initial assignment was two years OKC while you became qualified as a flight check pilot. After that you could bid to another city. Normal cycle would be one week on the road followed by one week in the office doing reports and clerical work. Nice people, but I wasn't thrilled with living in tornado central and having a military pension already, thought I could afford the risk of chasing an airline career.

Still think I made the right choice but your mileage may vary. Again caveat emptor this was a long time ago! Things have probably changed.

I got the receipt that says that my application was received in today's mail. I'll post if I get a call/email. I hope others do the same.

C9

Same here, I got my receipt also. All ten!LOL I'll update you guys when I here anything else. Goodluck to you all!:)

I got my timestamped receipt yesterday in the mail

Hey guys, there are two more job listings posted on USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site

One is in Wichita KS and the other in Kansas City, MO
USAJOBS
USAJOBS
But they want somebody who has graduated from Test Pilot School

Anybody been called and/or interviewed for these spots? If so, which location(s)?

Nope Nada yet for the ACY position I applied for.

Same here no interview yet or call! But yesterday I got one of the letters saying that Im on the selection list. Good Luck!

I have heard that they are only interviewing for the ACY field office at this time. If that is true, good luck to those of you who applied.

I got a call today to verify my retirement paygrade so I know that they are at least looking at my application.:) I only applied for the ATL position.

C9

i talked to a lady at the faa yesterday about these open positions, she said positions are only open to current or former federal employees or those with veterans preference. do all of you fall into these categories or did she not give me the full scoop?

I use to work for TSA. But one lady that I have spoke with in OKC told me that my time there might not count because I was only their for two years. Keep hope alive because I am.:)

Today I received a form letter that did not even have a Dear Mr. VQ2 on it. It was a cut out slip.

This is what it says: Thank you for applying on our external vacancy announcement, AAC-NOE-08-AJW334A-106116, Airspace System Inspection Pilot, FG2181-11/13. Individuals with veterans' preference were referred to the selecting official. A nonpreference eligible may not be selected as long as any qualified preference eligibles are still available and interested. I am sorry to inform you that, at this time, your application was not included in the group that was referred. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Nancy Owens-Curtis, 405-954-1062.


I called Nancy Owens and left a message to get the scoop since I qualified for the veterans preference.

FYI. 20 years retiring in Feb with above qualifying times got told my app did not make it past the HR is OKC. The only thing I didn't include was a DD-214 because I am still on Active duty. I wonder if they are only looking at internal apps within the FAA.
I did not receive my qualifying score or get an interview.

Let me know if anyone got anything different.

I got exactly the same letter but am on vaction and was planning on calling when I returned.

I did 21+ years and retired as an O5 = no prefernece points for me.

C9

I got the same letter slip VQ on my apps that was external. But on my apps that was internal I was put on the selection list.
We shall see!:rolleyes: