Pilot (Kas)

Purpose:

The function of the Pilot is to fly fixed wing aircraft to complete aerial photographic missions and aerial sensing projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Remain current with FAA licenses and provide verification to the company
• Read and understand all the concepts of survey as provided by the Director of Flight Operations. Apply the concepts through appropriate decision making and actions to maximize production and minimize costs.
• Maintain a mission ready flight Bag; carry all necessary items to ensure completion of photo mission; Headset; oxygen equipment; iPad with Foreflight EFB, Dual GPS or Stratus, Fuel Cards, etc.
• Carefully plan and execute each flight in accordance with company, industry and federal regulations:
  • Maintain a complete understanding of the Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM).
  • Complete pre-flight aircraft inspections and planning. Have a complete knowledge of meteorological conditions.
  • Identify all active survey projects along with their collection specifications and tolerances using the Virtual Flight Board.
  • Communicate with Project Managers to clarify any project issues.
  • Coordinate by telephone, email or fax with appropriate Sectors, ARTCC, etc. to ensure completion of photo mission.
  • Communicate with photographer; aircraft, film type and quantity (when applicable) and departure time; maintain effective and timely communication concerning: time to next job, timing for test shots, request information on drift, level, verify camera ?on? and ?off? status.
  • Safely remove aircraft from hangars according to company procedures.
  • Conduct flights within all aircraft safely and within operational limitations and in accordance with the aircraft manual (POH).
  • Successfully collect airborne data as planned.
  • Adhere to published sun angle start and stop times for each flying day.
  • Complete post flight aircraft inspection according to company procedures.
  • Complete post-flight duties, including: Sign-off flight cards as required; remove flights from Virtual Flight Board; place flight maps not flown back in correct drawer, place flight maps in correct map bin.
  • Maintain cockpit and cabin cleanliness.
  • Notify maintenance of any mechanical problems and notify the electronics department of any electrical problems.
• When working off-site, Pilots are expected to conduct themselves professionally and courteously as representatives of Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc.
  • Act as crew Captain overseeing and coordinating with the Sensor Operator;
    • Select a base of operations; establish and maintain relationships with local FBOs;
    • Arrange accommodations and land transport in accordance with company policies.
    • Pilots are expected to conduct flight operations at their discretion.
  • Observe all Keystone policy and safety procedures and local rules and regulations.
  • Obtain permission for aircraft maintenance and then oversee it to assure continued flight operations;
  • Communication with the office daily as instructed.
• Complete time cards, expense reports and paperwork as required on a timely basis.
• Submit all receipts to accounting on a daily basis via email or in person
• Maintain and adapt to a varied workflow (busy and slow periods; may require working weekends and holidays during busy periods to adhere to customer deadlines).
• Coordinate time off to match workflow.
• Actively participate in continuing training and proficiency studies as prescribed by the Director of Flight Operations and Flight Department Manager.
• Perform other duties assigned by Director of Flight Operations, Flight Department Manager, or the President.

Experience, Competencies, and Education

• College degree in aeronautics, photography, mapping geology or related fields preferred; high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Licensing/registration/certification requirements:
  • Current Commercial Pilot?s license
    • Instrument rating;
    • Single and Multi-engine rating
    
    

• Current 2nd class Medical Certificate
• Current Biannual
• Current Passport
• Annual Safety Training
• Valid Driver?s license

• Experience:
  • Required: Minimum of 450 hours Pilot in Command
  • Preferred: Aerial survey experience
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form;
  • Ability to plan, safety execute, and debrief complicated survey missions and flight profiles;
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including significant overnight travel.
• The Pilot is selected and appointed by the Director of Flight Operations and has been delegated the authority required to successfully accomplish all of the duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Fully comply with the Global Compliance Guidelines of PASCO and Code of Conduct policy of Keystone.
• Perform all other tasks and duties as assigned

The Pilot of Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc. shall be deemed to be performing in an acceptable manner when the following have been accomplished:

• Maintain current in all FAA licenses and certifications and provide verifications to the company.
• Maintain a complete knowledge of aviation meteorological services and their uses and the Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM).
• Exhibit enthusiasm and willingness to further company goals.
• Conduct flight operations in accordance with company policies and all applicable regulations:
  • Complete survey missions in a timely manner;
  • Maintain high quality standards and communication, keep re-flights to a minimum;
  • Adhere to published sun angle start and stop times for each flying day;
  • Demonstrate decision making and actions that are consistent with Concepts of Survey;
• Maintains a professional working relationship with co-workers at all times.
• Crew teamwork is achieved; in-flight performance and coordination.
• Keep paperwork and reports accurate and up to date.
• Keep Director of Flight Operations informed of any potential problems with flights, jobs, aircraft, cameras and delivery deadlines.
• Maintain aircraft and equipment in good operating conditions.
• Coordinate time off to match workflow.
• Maintain and adapt to a varied workflow (busy and slow periods; may require working weekends and holidays during busy periods to adhere to customer deadlines).
• Successful completion of non-flight lab duties as required.
• Retain knowledge taught and continue to search for improvements to each individual duty assigned (bring new ideas to the table).

Physical

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

This position will be working primarily in aircraft hangars and in small fixed-wing aircraft for extended periods in all conditions. Additional work will be indoors in a climate controlled, smoke free environment, but also requires the employee to be moving through other areas on a regular basis. From this movement, the employee will encounter varying temperatures from these areas. The normal auto and commercial air travel hazards will apply. Travel will be in all types of weather including heavy rain and below freezing temperatures with snow conditions possible.

The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate, but can be higher in other areas. The noise level in and around aircraft can be high.

While flying, it will be necessary to tolerate high altitude conditions, up to 28,000 ft.

At high altitudes, use of oxygen will be required.

The aircraft environment includes vibration at both high and low frequencies, exposure to G forces, turbulence, loud and constant noise, pressure changes and temperature changes.

Due to seasonal, weather and sun angle considerations, flight schedules are extremely unpredictable so flying on the weekends and holidays can be expected. The pilot is responsible for anticipating the taking advantage of favorable flying weather and has the final decision when conditions are questionable.

Pilots operate primarily out of the Keystone facilities at Northeast Philadelphia, Tucson, Arizona, Tyler, Texas, and Pacoima, California airports. However, frequently they are assigned mandatory scheduled and non-scheduled field missions lasting up to several months.