Operating Manual

Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions

Individual Occupational Requirements for

1825:   Aviation Safety Series

Aviation Safety Inspector, GS-9/15 or Equivalent Grade Levels

This is an individual qualification standard.

Series Definition:   This series includes positions that involve primarily developing, administering, or enforcing regulations and standards concerning civil aviation safety, including (1) the airworthiness of aircraft and aircraft systems; (2) the competence of pilots, mechanics, and other airmen; and (3) safety aspects of aviation facilities, equipment, and procedures. These positions require knowledge and skill in the operation, maintenance, or manufacture of aircraft and aircraft systems.

Aviation safety inspectors apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, the general principles of aviation safety, and the Federal laws, regulations, and policies affecting aviation. In addition, they apply intensive technical knowledge and skill in the operation, maintenance, or manufacture of aircraft.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL POSITIONS:

1. General Requirements for All Positions:

   1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
   2. Valid State driver‘s license;
   3. Fluency in the English language;
   4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
   5. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Medical Requirements for All Positions:

   Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements:

   1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain;
   2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
   3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

   In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must:

   1. Possess a valid second–class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and
   2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

3. Specialized Experience Requirement for All Positions:

   One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression is required.   More than one year of specialized experience may be required for specific positions.   Accordingly, the specialized experience provision in paragraph E.3 (m) of  “General Policies and Instructions” does not apply to these positions.

   SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS
   
   

   Applicants must meet the specific requirements described below for the following types of Aviation Safety Inspector positions:

   Aviation Safety Inspectors (Operations) – Inspectors in this specialty apply knowledge and skills typically acquired as airmen (pilots, navigators, flight instructors, etc.), to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the operation of aircraft.   They engage primarily in the following types of assignments:   (a) Examining airmen for initial certification and continuing competence; (b) evaluating airmen training programs, equipment, and facilities; and (c) evaluating the operational aspect of programs of air carriers and similar commercial and aviation operations for adequacy of facilities, equipment, procedures, and overall management to ensure safe operation of the aircraft.   They may perform a variety of other inspections, investigations, and advisory duties.   However, the primary requirement for positions in this specialization is knowledge and skill in the operation of aircraft.

   When the predominant work involves air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

   1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi–engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight;
   2. Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant‘s pilot error was involved;
   3. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard.
   4. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years;
   5. Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating (Department of Navy positions require pilot experience as demonstrated by previous ATP level performance in large multi–engine airplanes and helicopters);
   6. Possession of a valid second–class FAA medical certificate (For positions within the Department of Navy, applicants must also be physically qualified to ride as an observer aboard squadron aircraft.   In addition, must also meet physical requirements to travel and lift heavy objects while performing mishap investigations); and
   7. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.

   When the predominant work involves general aviation operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

   1. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi–engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings.   Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft.
   2. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating;
   3. Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
   4. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.
   5. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
   6. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
   7. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant‘s pilot error was involved.
   8. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.

   Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) – Inspectors in this specialty apply knowledge and skills typically acquired as repairman of aircraft, aircraft parts, or avionics equipment to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the airworthiness and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.   They engage primarily in the following types of assignments:    (a) Evaluating mechanics and repair facilities for initial certification and continuing adequacy; (b) evaluating the mechanic‘s training program; (c) inspecting aircraft and related equipment for airworthiness; and (d) evaluating the maintenance aspects of programs of air carriers and similar commercial operations.   The evaluations may include the adequacy of maintenance facilities, equipment and procedures; the competence of employees; the adequacy of the program or schedule for periodic maintenance and overhauls; and the airworthiness of the aircraft.   Aviation Safety Inspectors (Airworthiness) may perform a variety of other inspections, investigations and advisory duties.    However the primary requirement for positions in this specialty is knowledge and skill pertaining to the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft.

   When the predominant work involves air carrier avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

   1. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft.
   2. Avionics maintenance experience on aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.
   3. Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years.

   When the predominant work involves general aviation avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

   1. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft.
   2. Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years.

   When the predominant work involves air carrier maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

   1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and systems of multi–engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program.
   2. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency.
   3. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
   4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
   5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

   When the predominant work involves general aviation maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

   1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
   2. Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight.
   3. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency.
   4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
   5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

   Aviation Safety Inspector (Manufacturing) – Inspectors in this specialty apply knowledge and skills pertaining to the design and production of aircraft, aircraft parts, and avionics equipment to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the original airworthiness certification of aircraft, aircraft parts, and avionics equipment.  They engage in the following types of assignments:   (a) Inspecting prototype or modified aircraft, aircraft parts, and avionics equipment for conformity with design specification; (b) inspecting production operations, including equipment, facilities, techniques, and quality control programs for capability to produce the aircraft or parts in conformance with design specification and safety standards; and (c) making original airworthiness determinations and issuing certificates for all civil aircraft including modified, import, export, military surplus, and amateur–built aircraft.

   When the predominant work involves manufacturing, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Manufacturing) positions must meet one of the following requirements.

   1. Experience in the area of quality control/quality assurance systems, methods, and techniques in the manufacture of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers or class II products that demonstrates the ability to determine whether aircraft and related products meet the approved design criteria, or the design criteria on which approval is being sought and is in condition for safe operations; or
   2. Experience involving either the actual issuance of airworthiness certificates or having responsibility for managing programs leading to the issuance of original airworthiness certificates or original export airworthiness approvals for aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, or class II products; or
   3. Experience involving a combination of paragraph A and paragraph B above.

   Acceptable specialized experience for paragraph A includes actual experience in a majority of the following areas:

   1. First article, in process and final assembly inspection;
   2. Quality assurance provisions of special processes (e.g. heat treating, brazing, welding, carburizing, plating, CAD-CAM, robotics, software quality control, etc.,)
   3. Destructive and non-destructive inspection;
   4. Manufacturing processes;
   5. Airworthiness assurance
   ;
   6. Developing and implementing quality control systems and procedures;
   7. Testing procedures; and
   8. Use of improved design data.

   The experience in paragraph A or B is typically acquired in such positions as:

   1. Quality control engineer;
   2. Quality control/assurance supervisor/manager;
   3. Quality systems auditor;
   4. Service representative with technical quality control experience;
   5. FAA designee such as a designated manufacturing inspection representative (DMIR); or
   6. Designated airworthiness representative (DAR) authorized to perform manufacturing inspection functions on behalf of the FAA.

   Note:  A class II product is a major component of a class I product (e.g., wings, fuselages, empennage assemblies, landing gears, power transmissions, control surfaces, etc.,) the failure of which would jeopardize the safety of a class product (i.e., a complete aircraft, engine, or propeller) or any part, material, or appliance approved and manufactured under the Technical Standard Order system in the “C” series.

4. Interviews and Assessments:  Applicants may be required to appear for an interview and/or other assessments to determine whether they possess the necessary competencies and personal qualities to successfully perform Aviation Safety Inspector duties.  In addition, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions will be required to demonstrate proficiency in an airplane or simulator.