[Company] is a leading provider of aerial imagery, property insights and software that transforms the way people work. [Company] holds more than 300 patents and owns a large geospatial data and imagery library encompassing 94 percent of the US population. [Company] provides the most accurate data, enabling customers in the government, construction, solar and insurance industries to make timely, informed and better decisions.

Overview

The Assistant Chief Pilot in Pilot Operations supports the Chief Pilot in leading PFA’s manned aerial survey flight operations. The role provides training, standardization, operational oversight, and safety leadership for the line pilot group, and serves as a primary operational point of contact for pilots.

This is a full-time remote role with a base salary range of $80,000 to $110,000 and 10% bonus potential. 

Responsibilities

• Works within PFA and with the Safety Manager to promote and maintain a positive safety and Just Culture, actively participating in the Safety Management System (SMS) — hazard identification, reporting, root cause analysis — and ensuring lessons learned are communicated and implemented across the pilot group.

• Conducts and supervises ground and flight training of Line Pilots and Instructor Pilots, and serves as trainer and performance evaluator for both, including training on image capture systems and troubleshooting.

• Develops and manages a structured IOE program - progress tracking, standardization, completion criteria - and ensures consistency among IOE Instructor Pilots in training delivery, evaluation standards, and SOP adherence.

• In coordination with the Chief Pilot, develops, implements, and maintains company policies, SOPs, manuals, and safety procedures, and provides feedback into manual revisions based on operational experience and identified gaps.

• Maintains training records, license/rating/qualification tracking, and upgrade readiness (e.g., NA to Turbo transition), and supervises/coordinates proficiency checks for Line Pilots and Instructor Pilots.

• Provides operational oversight of daily flight activities - including go/no-go decision support based on weather, aircraft status, and mission requirements - and coordinates with operational staff to determine daily flight missions.

• Supports pilots in real time with operational decision-making, risk assessment, and problem resolution, and guides mission execution to maximize capture efficiency and sun-angle utilization while minimizing downtime.

• Coordinates closely with Maintenance to ensure aircraft availability, status visibility, and timely return-to-service; oversees pilot discrepancy reporting quality and accurate documentation of aircraft issues; and supports/coordinates Functional Check Flights (FCF), validation, and post-maintenance checks.

• Conducts routine audits of SOP and FOM compliance, addressing deviations through training and standardization, and leads initiatives to improve standardization, safety practices, and operational consistency.

• Monitors and analyzes key operational metrics (capture success rate, rejection rate, aircraft downtime, mission completion efficiency), identifies trends, and implements corrective actions to improve performance and work toward KPI objectives.

• Serves as a primary point of contact for pilots — providing clear operational guidance, expectations, updates, notices, and best practices — and supports pilot development through coaching, feedback, and performance management, helping develop airmanship, professional standards, and aeronautical decision-making.

• Ensures airports and routes served by PFA are operationally suitable and meet company requirements.

• Travel as required, up to 40% annually.

• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Pilot.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal communication and willingness to serve internal/external customers.

• Must be able to collaborate with multiple layers of a growing organization.

• All-organized, dependable, and self-sufficient.

• Ability to act with discretion and handle confidential matters.

• Flexibility and a willingness to pivot quickly when needed.

• Accessibility during off-business hours and weekends as needed.

• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.

• Understanding and responsibilities of working in a Remote work environment

EDUCATION AND DOCUMENTS REQUIREMENTS:

• College degree or equivalent experience.

• Must hold current CFI and MEI.

• English proficient.

• Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit.

• Valid automobile driver’s license.

• Valid USA passport.

• Medical – able to maintain a 1st or 2nd class FAA medical.

Flight Time & Experience:

• Minimum 2,500 hours total time.

• Minimum 500 hours multi-engine.

• Minimum 750 hours cross-country.

• Minimum 500 hours dual given, 100 hours in multi-engine.

• CFI with a minimum of 2 years’ teaching experience

• MEI with instructing experience (min 100 hrs).

• Minimum 2 years of aviation leadership experience.

Preferred Experience:

• Aerial survey or aerial imaging operational experience.

• Previous aviation management or Chief/Assistant Chief Pilot experience.

• CFII.

• Part 91 operations experience.

• Experience with Concur, SmartSheet, Teams, and SharePoint.

• Remote work environment experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal, corrective vision range; ability to see color and to distinguish letters, numbers, and symbols

• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, bend, and reach

• Ability to reach with hands and arms

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.

• Will need to comfortably travel long and short distances

Core Competencies:
The successful candidate will demonstrate strength in the following competencies as well as foundational competencies which can be found here:

• Upward Partnership – Partners effectively with leaders and seeks feedback.

• Decisiveness Under Pressure – Makes timely decisions in high-pressure situations.

• Direction & Alignment – Sets clear goals and aligns team priorities.

• Equitable People Leadership – Leads fairly, consistently, and with integrity.

• Listening to Understand – Listens actively and fosters open dialogue.

Work Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. You acknowledge that you can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately reserved. The work environment is primarily indoors. The position requires little to no travel.