Chief Pilot / Director of Operations
TransportationYou run the flight department. Every pilot, every route, every training program, every safety incident report rolls up to you. You're part executive, part regulator, part pilot advocate — balancing the airline's business needs against FAA compliance and crew quality of life. You still hold a type rating and fly occasionally, but most of your time is spent in meetings, budget reviews, and making decisions that affect thousands of crew members. When the NTSB calls, they ask for you.
Salary Range
Low
$240k
Median
$260k
High
$300k
10-Year Growth
5%
US Workers
5K
Education
20+ years airline experience + bachelor's degree (preferred) + FAA regulatory expertise + department management
Environment
indoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Flight department management
- ▸FAA regulatory compliance
- ▸Budget & fleet planning
- ▸Pilot hiring & training oversight
- ▸Safety management systems (SMS)
- ▸NTSB investigation coordination
- ▸Union negotiation
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Executive leadership
- ▸Strategic decision-making
- ▸Political navigation
- ▸Workforce management
- ▸Crisis communication
- ▸Stakeholder relations
- ▸Regulatory diplomacy
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Flight department management
Safety management systems (SMS)
What you'll actually do
- 01Oversee pilot hiring, training, and base assignments across the entire airline
- 02Review safety reports and incident investigations with a fine-tooth comb
- 03Meet with FAA inspectors and maintain the airline's operating certificate
- 04Present flight operations budgets and staffing plans to the executive team
- 05Handle pilot grievances, union issues, and crew scheduling disputes
- 06Make the call on fleet-wide operational decisions during irregular operations
Related Shifts
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