F/A-18 Maintenance Test Pilots operate electronics-equipped fighter-attack aircraft to provide Post Maintenance Ground Turns and Functional Check Flights to determine proper aircraft system functionality and aircraft airworthiness.
Duties:
The Maintenance Test Pilot shall conduct specified maintenance check maneuvers and procedures specified in the Maintenance Test Flight Checklist.
- Execute checks on all aircraft systems including, but not limited to MIDS, RWR, ALE, ALR, TGP, and JHMCS.
- Debrief all discrepancies with appropriate work centers.
- Review forms and records to ascertain factors, such as flight readiness, weight & balance, and fuel supply.
- Know and brief the short, medium, and long-term range availability and utilization.
- Maintain communication with range schedulers.
- Provide updates on range availability, range manual, and procedure changes. Ranges include, but are not limited to W-291, W-289, R-2508, R-2510, R-2507, R-2301, and MOAs.
- Coordinate for EW Support
- Coordinate for Red Air from military and commercial sources
- Coordinate for TACP / CAS controller support
- Coordinate for ordnance support including live ordnance, heavy inert, light inert, CATMs, and chaff/flare with the squadron and station ordnance departments
- Coordinate with external agencies as required and Intel to support Replacement Aircrew production & fleet support
- Coordinate with Training Officer and Operations Officer (FRD and Fleet) for scheduling priorities for DFTs & Production, Provide Scheduling Officer with flows and flows templates to work Daily Flight Schedule with ranges, red air, EW support, AIC, Facilitate three-week flows review as the FRD representation at the Operations and Maintenance synchronization meeting
- Assume Scheduling Officer duties when the Scheduling Officer is not available.
The Contractor shall file flight plans verifying weather conditions, flight route, and schedule; receive and order changes in fuel supply, load, route, or schedule to ensure the safety of the flight; read gauges to verify that oil, hydraulic fluid, and fuel quantities are at prescribed levels prior to starting engines; start engines and perform maintenance operational checks on aircraft systems to verify operational readiness.
The Contractor shall contact the control tower by radio to obtain takeoff clearance and instructions; pilot aircraft adhering to the flight plan, regulations, and procedures of the Federal Government, company, and supported customer; and log information, such as flight time, landings, and fuel consumed.
Maintenance Test Pilots shall ensure that they maintain proficiency in all certifications, qualifications, licenses, and currency requirements set forth in CNAF M-3710.7. As required, perform administrative collateral duty assignment within the unit’s Flight Operations Department to include: Obtaining ranges, and maintaining accounts on RFMSS, DCAST, and as required.
