The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) is responsible for applying substantial knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to general aviation maintenance safety issues.
Duties
The PMI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The PMI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The PMI provides policy assistance to field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.
Some FG-14 assignments involve Service wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of general aviation maintenance. Other FG-14 inspectors establish technical procedures and performance yardsticks and review maintenance programs, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity and the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry.
ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete maintenance programs for general aviation organizations who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity.
The following assignments are illustrative:
1. As a Service wide expert on a particular type of aircraft:
- Advises other inspectors of major changes;
- Evaluates new training methods and equipment;
- Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft.
2. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of general aviation activities, exercises certificate authority; or evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities (By comparison, FG-13 employees exercise certificate authority over less complex air carriers or perform major portions of the certification, inspection, and surveillance for major carriers under the direction of FG-14 inspectors.)
3. Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied general aviation organizations such as air taxis, executive and/or industrial operators, repair stations, and flight and mechanic schools when the activities monitored equate collectively to a major air carrier in terms of size and complexity of aircraft fleet employed, scope and technical complexity of operations, management sophistication, industry leadership, and public impact. The magnitude, intensity, and scope of program responsibility are typically such as to require significant and regular assistance of lower graded inspectors.
FG-14 employees evaluate maintenance programs for organizations which utilize complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance. Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation and maintenance. Because of the precedent-setting nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy-setting level.
The PMI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs.
Provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues.
Contacts are internal and external to the agency. Occasionally represents the agency as a point of contact for policy development, inspection activities or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal.
Performs other duties as required.
