The incumbent of this position is assigned to the Flight Standards Service. The incumbent is responsible for applying expert 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 air carrier operations safety issues.
Duties
The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The POI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The POI provides policy assistance to divisional field level ASIs on difficult or complex policy inquiries. 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 office, and/or division responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight operations for an advanced multiengine turboprop and/or turbojet aircraft. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete flight operation or 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. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity and the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry.
The following assignments are illustrative:
1. As an expert on a particular type of sophisticated multiengine turbojet aircraft:
-- Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of the aircraft;
-- Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the aircraft;
-- Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification;
-- Serves on national boards that determine the 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. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex operations. Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service. This level includes responsibility for nationally and internationally prominent carriers who operate the largest, most advanced fleets of turbojet aircraft in the industry. (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.)
FG-14 employees develop and evaluate flight operations programs for organizations which utilize the newest, most complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. Because of organizational complexity or the advanced technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, employees must exercise originality to resolve unique problems. They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines. Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation. 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 POI 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.
