Aviation Safety Inspector serving as a technical expert and advisor on assigned manufactured or modified unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft, and associated systems for the Emerging Technologies Division, Evaluation Branch, AFS-720. Duties
Provides operations representation in all phases of developmental work involved during and prior to certification and subsequent to placing such unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems into service. The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety for industry operation of these aircraft.
Expert consultant on technical matters pertaining to operational and performance requirements, equipment, maintenance, and standards. Reviews and evaluates the operational suitability of equipment used in assigned aircraft and associated systems. Participates in Type Certification Board in making decisions related to the operational suitability of aircraft produced by aircraft manufacturers. Serves as member on Flight Standards Boards (FSB) and Flight Operations Evaluation Boards (FOEB) evaluating and presenting Operational considerations/impact or requirements. Evaluates the abilities of the unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated processes, manuals, and documents to ensure they perform as expected.
Participates in the development and establishment of national and international standards, procedures and airworthiness criteria tailored to meet the requirements and conditions considered necessary to assure effectiveness of the design for assigned aircraft. Manages team efforts with respect to the development of operational criteria. Relates the assigned aircraft manufacturers operational requirements for unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems to the aviation industry with particular emphasis on assuring realistic, economically feasible, and technically practical programs which may be applied by the industry.
Engages with internal FAA policy groups to ensure associated systems will be able to operate in the NAS with the need for limited exemptions as rule making continues. This prevents the scenario where an unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems are type-certificated and found not to be operationally suitable under current applicable regulations.
Establishes contacts at all levels in the FAA. Contacts involve industry representatives including pilots, operators and/or personnel in charge of flight-testing for aircraft manufacturers. Contacts are also with foreign government aviation officials and manufacturers on an international basis. These contacts will be for coordinating and resolving problems imposed by certification and operations requirements, equipment, training requirements, and for the exchange of essential information. Participates in industry and aviation meetings and represents the Flight Standards Service on assigned matters
Develops and implements special operations projects as required to accomplish program objectives. Recommends technical program or policy changes as appropriate. Provides technical assistance with respect to the initial development and approval of aircraft flight manuals.
Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft systems.
FLIGHT PROGRAM
The ASI will participate in the FAA Flight Program and is therefore required to maintain qualifications and currency requirements applicable to operations inspectors for the purpose of supporting the FAA in a variety of flight-related functions to include training and evaluation of designated pilot examiners. The ASI will evaluate tasks contained in the FAA practical test standards and airman certification standards by participating as pilot-in command or as a crewmember. The inspector is required to maintain an FAA second class medical.
Performs other duties as assigned.