Part 135 Chief Pilot – Northeast Fleet Operations

Regional Chief Pilot — Part 135 Flight Operations Lead

Location: White Plains, NY

Employment Status: Full-Time, Permanent W2 Executive Leadership Position

At a Glance: Schedule, Pay & Fleet Details

• Base Salary Range: $160,000 – $180,000 per year (Commensurate with depth of aviation leadership experience).

• Operational Schedule: Standard Monday through Friday leadership schedule.

• Flight vs. Management Balance: Built specifically for an experienced aviator transitioning into stable, long-term flight operations management. The schedule is structured as 95% in-office base leadership and 5% line flying/instruction (flying approximately once every two weeks along regional Northeast corridors like Teterboro, NJ).

• Fleet Type & Type Rating: Operations center around the Pilatus PC-12. Candidates without a PC-12 type rating will receive full employer-sponsored training and certification upon onboarding.

• Relocation Package: Financial relocation assistance is available and negotiated case-by-case for qualified out-of-area candidates.

About the Employer

Join an elite, award-winning Part 135 commuter and private air charter operator serving routes across North America and the Caribbean. Celebrated for an unyielding commitment to aviation safety, aircraft quality, and crew culture, this organization provides a long-term home where flight professionals build lasting careers.

As the Northeast Regional Chief Pilot, you will report directly to the executive Chief Pilot and serve as the operational anchor for the White Plains (HPN) hub. You will serve as the direct mentor, leader, and operational champion for a growing team of 95 pilots managing an impressive 38-aircraft footprint.

Role Overview: Leadership, Mentorship & Operations

This executive role centers heavily on human-first leadership and team development. A significant portion of your crew includes ambitious, early-career aviators (primarily ages 22–26). Your mandate is to mold them into elite corporate pilots, instill strong professional work habits, and maintain a highly accessible, motivating, and transparent presence across the hangar.

Core Responsibilities

• Flight Crew Supervision & Mentorship: Provide daily operational guidance, coaching, and direct oversight to 95 regional flight crew members, addressing performance and interpersonal dynamics with a constructive, growth-focused mindset.

• Operational Control & Strategy: Collaborate closely with corporate executive leadership and dispatch teams to maintain tight operational control, smooth scheduling workflows, and clear communication channels.

• Training & Standardization: Execute base-level standardization checks, ground school instruction, pilot evaluations, and recurrent flight proficiency checks as required.

• Regulatory Compliance & Administration: Enforce 100% compliance with FAA 14 CFR Part 135 regulations, company General Operations Manuals (GOM), and safety management systems (SMS). Participate directly in candidate interviewing, flight crew recruitment, and base onboarding.

Minimum Qualifications

• Leadership Tenure: Mandatory prior experience serving explicitly as an Assistant Chief Pilot, Base Manager, or Chief Pilot overseeing an aviation team of at least 10 pilots.

• Part 135 Expertise: Minimum of 3 years of direct Part 135 operational experience as a line pilot or flight leader.

• Certifications & Medical: Valid FAA Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate with appropriate ratings, paired with an active FAA 1st Class Medical Certificate (required for line flying and proficiency checks).

• Leadership Profile: Charismatic, highly relatable communicator with a passion for guiding young, early-career aviators and resolving hangar-floor conflicts effectively.

Preferred Attributes

• Active Certified Flight Instructor credentials (CFI, CFII, or MEI).

• Prior experience acting as an FAA Part 135 Check Airman / Check Pilot.

Partner With Rio Staffing

The executive aviation division at Rio Staffing connects top-tier flight leaders with premier, well-funded aviation operators across the nation. We act as your direct career advocate—handling interview logistics, verifying credential compliance, and negotiating relocation and compensation parameters to ensure your next career move aligns with your long-term goals.

Step off the endless rotation schedule and lead a premier Northeast base. Apply with our team today or connect with us online at www.riostaffing.com.