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 electrical and electronic systems 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 the aircraft.
Serves as a consultant with respect to technical matters pertaining to airborne instrument performance requirements, instrument test equipment, software/hardware development and enhancement, maintenance, and alteration standards used within area of responsibility. Reviews and evaluates the reliability and operating history of avionics equipment used in assigned aircraft. This involves the review of various data for risk-based analysis and takes appropriate action. Such action may result in recommendations for reduced overhaul times, revised procedures, issuance of airworthiness directives, and issuance of alert bulletins.
Participates in Type Certification Board in making decisions related to the avionics equipment and airborne instruments of aircraft produced by aircraft manufacturers. Serves as a member on the Maintenance Review Board (MRB) evaluating and presenting avionics and/or electrical systems impact or requirements. Provides technical advisory service relative to unique and unusually complex electrical/electronic equipment and system designs.
Participates in the development and establishment of national and international standards, procedures and airworthiness criteria tailored especially 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 agency avionics and airborne instrument airworthiness criteria. Relates the assigned aircraft manufacturers maintenance programs for the aircraft avionics/airworthiness, to the aviation industry, with particular emphasis on assuring realistic, economically feasible, and technically practical programs of airworthiness assurance, which may be applied by the industry.
Familiarizes and applies knowledge of operating rules under development but not yet written by Flight Standards. Engages frequently with policy groups internal to Flight Standards to ensure that type certificated unmanned aircraft, urban air mobility and optionally piloted aircraft will be able to operate in the National Airspace System (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 within the Federal Aviation Administration (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. Contacts will be for coordinating and resolving problems imposed by certification and operations requirements, coordinating equipment and 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 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 and associated systems.
Performs other duties as assigned.