Assistant Chief Pilot

About the role

The Assistant Chief Pilot serves as the operational deputy to the Chief Pilot and supports the leadership, administration, and execution of flight department activities. This role helps maintain safe, compliant, precise, and customer‑focused flight operations while providing leadership continuity when delegated by the Chief Pilot. The position is designed for a pilot leader who can support crew development, training oversight, regulatory compliance, operational standardization, and continuous improvement while upholding Constellation Brands values of safety, precision, and customer service.

Location: Rochester, New York

Key responsibilities

• Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Promote and uphold the highest standards of aviation safety in every operational decision. Ensure flight operations comply with FAA regulations, company policies, the Aviation Operations Manual, standard operating procedures, and applicable safety standards. Support Safety Management System initiatives, risk management practices, and incident, accident, hazard, and occurrence reporting processes.
• Flight Operations Leadership: Assist the Chief Pilot in overseeing and executing daily flight operations. Provide guidance, mentorship, and operational support to pilots and flight crews. Serve as the operational leader in the Chief Pilot’s absence when responsibilities are delegated.
• Training and Crew Development: Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of approved flight crew training programs. Help ensure pilot qualifications, certifications, training records, and operational readiness remain current. Support pilot onboarding, professional development, and leadership continuity within the flight department.
• Operational Excellence and Precision: Support development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standard operating procedures. Coordinate with scheduling, maintenance, and flight operations stakeholders to support efficient and reliable aircraft utilization. Drive consistency, attention to detail, and disciplined execution across flight operations.
• Customer Service and Passenger Experience: Foster a service‑oriented culture focused on a safe, seamless, discreet, and professional travel experience. Build trust with internal customers, passengers, company leadership, and cross‑functional partners. Ensure flight department interactions reflect professionalism, responsiveness, and hospitality.
• Administrative and Leadership Support: Maintain and support accurate operational records, pilot records, and required documentation. Assist with audits, inspections, regulatory reviews, and internal projects. Assume duties and responsibilities delegated by the Chief Pilot.
• Role Model and Professional Standards: Hold yourself to the highest standards of professionalism, safety, precision, and accountability. Lead by example and consistently do things the right way, even when no one is watching. Model the behaviors expected of the flight department, including discipline, integrity, preparation, and respect for passengers, peers, and company leadership.

Core competencies

• Accelerate Impact: Challenge old ways, balance workload and urgency, set clear priorities, and remove barriers while supporting safe, reliable, efficient flight operations.
• Be Inclusive: Encourage idea‑sharing, ensure everyone feels heard, promote collaboration, resolve conflict fairly, and build trust across operations and partners.
• Communicate Effectively: Set expectations, provide constructive feedback, share accurate information, use facts and stories to influence, and ensure safety priorities are understood.
• Develop Self and Others: Create development plans, support team growth, provide coaching, recognize strengths, celebrate wins, and mentor pilots and team members.
• Embrace Change: Adjust plans quickly, guide the team through change, encourage smart risks, model resilience, and maintain standards amid evolving needs.

Non‑flying contribution expectations

When not assigned to flight duty, the Assistant Chief Pilot is expected to dedicate approximately 10–20 hours per week to leadership, operational excellence, safety, training, customer service, and continuous‑improvement initiatives that strengthen the overall performance of Flight Operations.

• Support the Chief Pilot with department priorities, operational planning, and execution of flight‑operations objectives.
• Review and improve procedures, training materials, pilot readiness, and operational documentation.
• Advance safety initiatives, risk‑management practices, and a proactive reporting culture.
• Mentor pilots and reinforce expectations for professionalism, precision, customer service, and accountability.
• Contribute to projects, audits, process improvements, and cross‑functional coordination with Scheduling and Maintenance.

Required qualifications

• Current FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
• Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
• Minimum 4,000 total flight hours, including 2,500 hours as Pilot‑in‑Command.
• Four to six years of related aviation experience.
• At least one jet type rating.
• Ability to be away from home for extended periods to support domestic and international operations.
• Valid U.S. passport and driver’s license.
• Residency within one hour of Rochester International Airport (KROC).
• Successful completion of background investigation and pre‑employment drug screening.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Aviation Operations Manual, training manuals, standard operating procedures, company check‑pilot manual (if applicable), and civil aviation regulations.
• Attendance at approved simulator training in the jet aircraft type‑rated within the previous 12 months.

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree in Aviation Management, or NBAA Certified Aviation Manager certification.
• Gulfstream G280 and/or GVII type rating(s) preferred.
• International flight experience.
• Experience in IS‑BAO and/or Safety Management System (SMS) environments.
• Previous flight‑instruction experience and/or Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate.

Pay

Salary range: $261,300 – $353,600 per year. Compensation is based on cost of labor and may vary by geographic market, experience, qualifications, and other factors.

Benefits

• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Additional benefits available to eligible employees.