The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) is responsible for recommending new and amended Title 14 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 air carrier maintenance safety issues.
Duty location is Irving, TX; or Clermontville, OH
Duties Help
Receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. Plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, etc. Provides policy assistance to regional and field level ASIs on difficult or complex policy interpretations.
Establishes technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete maintenance programs for major air carriers 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.
The following assignments are illustrative:
1. As a Service wide expert on a particular type of sophisticated multiengine turbojet aircraft:
- Serves on national boards that determine minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and
- Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft. Develops plans to resolve problems.
2. Exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with extensive and complex operations. Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service; or evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities which are equipped and staffed to handle the latest and most sophisticated turbojet aircraft and associated systems. This includes responsibility for nationally and internationally prominent carriers who operate the largest, most advanced fleets of turbojet aircraft in the industry.
3. Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied general aviation organizations such as operator maintenance facilities and contracted repair stations when the activities monitored equate 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.
Evaluates flight operations programs for organizations which utilize complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. Because of organizational complexity or the advanced technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, PMI must exercise originality to resolve unique problems.
Plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments to address organizational needs.
Has critically important and frequently controversial contacts with key officials of major manufacturers, major carriers, and general aviation organizations. Contacts are made to resolve issues which affect the initial certification and major modifications of aircraft, maintenance programs, and their effect on safety and compliance with regulations.
Provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues. Develop plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues. Works with management to solve problems.
Occasionally represents the agency as a point of contact for policy development, inspection activities or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training.
Assists in the preparation of technical correspondence to regions, aviation industry, other governmental agencies, members of Congress, and the general public. Assures that correspondence is properly coordinated, technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that it reflects the philosophy, policies, and objectives of the Branch, Division, Service, and the FAA.
Performs other duties as required.