Test Pilot, Experimental Aircraft
Ampaire
Ampaire Inc. Test Pilot, Experimental Aircraft Long Beach, CA · Full time
Ampaire, a leading tech startup in California's electric aviation sector, is seeking an Experimental Test Pilot. This role involves executing flight tests of hybrid electric aircraft, collaborating with operations for scheduling, reviewing aircraft readiness, writing test cards, completing post-flight reports, participating in safety analyses, and working with maintenance and FAA representatives. The position requires a multi-engine commercial rating, current FAA Class II Medical, 1,500+ PIC flight hours, and 3+ years of experimental aircraft experience. Desired qualifications include graduation from a formal test pilot school, experience with various aircraft types, and hands-on experience with high voltage and high power systems. The role reports to the Manager, Integration & Test, and involves travel for remote flight campaigns.
Description
Company Overview
Ampaire is a tech startup based in California that is leading the charge in electric aviation. We are on a mission to provide the world with electric commercial flights that are affordable, quiet, and environmentally conscious. We are building the future of air travel by reimagining the way people and their things fly. We are a practical and lean start-up that quickly iterates and learns, and this has allowed Ampaire to be among the first of the electric aviation companies to fly. We currently are flying what we believe to be the world’s largest electrified aircraft by weight and capacity.
Role and Responsibilities:
- Execute flight test of experimental hybrid electric aircraft including
- First flights
- Envelope expansion
- Marketing
- Ferry/Hours Accumulation
- Collaborate with aircraft operations for scheduling of ground and flight tests
- Review flight/test aircraft readiness
- Write and/or review test cards
- Complete post-flight reports for operations, maintenance, and engineering
- Participate in safety analyses
- Collaborate with maintenance
- Collaborate with FAA representatives (e.g. DAR)
- Flight test base in Camarillo, CA and potentially other LA-area airports
- Ability to travel for multi-day and occasionally multi-week remote flight campaigns
- Reports to Manager, Integration & Test
Required Qualifications:
- Multi-engine commercial rating with high performance and complex endorsements
- Current FAA Class II Medical
- 1,500+ PIC total aircraft flight hours
- 3+ years of increasing responsibilities in flying experimental aircraft
Desired Qualifications:
- Graduate of a formal test pilot school (USAF TPS, USNTPS, NTPS, etc…)
- Small reciprocating experimental aircraft flight experience
- Skymaster, Caravan and King Air aircraft flight experience
- Electrified propulsion aircraft flight experience
- Glider flight experience
- Experience interacting with DARs
- 5,000+ PIC total aircraft flight hours
- 8+ years of increasing responsibilities in flying experimental aircraft
- Hands-on experience with operating high voltage (800V+) and high power (50 kW+) systems and safety practices
Salary
$140,000 - $230,000 per year