Location: Remote (United States), with travel to aircraft bases
Reports To: Director of Flight Operations
Position Level: Management
Employment Type: Full-Time · Salaried, Exempt
Travel: 50% (initial and recurrent training, base visits, line checks, staffing coverage)
About Sol Aerial Surveys
Sol Aerial Surveys is a fast-growing aerial survey company flying a fleet of Cessna 310 twins and Cessna 208 Caravans across the United States and Canada. We map some of the best destinations North America has to offer, and we believe pilots are the drivers of success in this industry. We offer a unique work environment that rewards safety, hard work, and integrity.
Everything we do is built on four Core Values: Safety, Your Success is Our Success, Integrity, and The Little Things Matter.
About the Role
The Chief Pilot is a pivotal leadership position at Sol Aerial Surveys, reporting directly to the Director of Flight Operations and leading a team of line pilots, the Assistant Chief Pilot, and the Company Trainer. This role owns the people side of flight operations: the performance, training, standardization, and records of every Sol line pilot.
The Chief Pilot manages day-to-day line flying, personally delivers initial and recurrent training, steps in to fly open lines when staffing gaps occur, and serves in the flight operations Manager-on-Duty (MOD) rotation. It is a role for a pilot-leader who wants to build people and standards, not just fly the line.
What You'll Do
Lead and develop the pilot team
- Manage the day-to-day conduct of line flying and crew performance across the fleet.
- Coach and develop pilots using performance data, standardized scoring, and direct observation.
- Recommend hiring, advancement, and status changes for line pilots to the Director of Flight Operations.
- Lead the weekly pilot meeting and keep the flight department aligned on policy and standards.
- Maintain pilot records: certificates, medicals, currency, and training files.
Own the training program
- Run the training program end to end — new-hire initial training, recurrent training, and instrument currency.
- Personally conduct initial training events, line checks, and proficiency observations.
- Build and deliver the Cessna 208 Caravan training track as the fleet expands.
Support staffing and serve as Manager on Duty
- Fill open lines as a line Pilot-in-Command when rotation gaps occur, and flag staffing shortfalls early.
- Serve as flight operations Manager on Duty on the published schedule, including at least one weekend per month — weather go/no-go calls, duty and break approvals, and launch-window monitoring.
Champion safety and standards
- Promote the Safety Management System (SMS): encourage reporting and participate in the Safety Review Board.
- Spot trends in flight data and recommend improvements to operations and training.
What We're Looking For
Required:
- FAA Commercial Pilot certificate —Single-Engine Multi-Engine Land, with Instrument rating.
- FAA Class 2 Medical or higher.
- Minimum 1,500 hours total time, with multi-engine experience commensurate with the role.
- Demonstrated proficiency in at least one company airframe (Cessna 310R or Cessna 208).
- SMS training appropriate to the role, or completion within 90 days of hire.
- Legal right to work in the United States and a current passport (required for Canada operations).
Preferred:
- 2,000+ hours total time (highly preferred).
- Cessna 208 / Caravan time (highly preferred).
- Previous training or instructional experience (preferred).
- CFI, CFII, and/or MEI, with 500+ hours dual given.
- Prior aerial survey experience and prior Part 91 management experience.
- 500+ hours in twin Cessnas.
- Background in safety operations or SMS administration.
Benefits & Perks
- 401(k) with company match.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Company-paid per diem and hotel allowance.
- Company-paid travel expenses and rental car.
- Paid time off and holiday pay.
- Company-paid instrument currency program.
- Monthly health and wellness credit (gym membership, national parks pass, etc.).
- Professional development assistance.
- The opportunity to lead a great team and travel the country doing it.
Next Steps
- Fill out the required information below.
- Use the link provided to complete our PI assessment: CLICK HERE
- Once you have completed the PI assessment, you will receive an email from noreply@mailer.predictiveindex.com that will allow you to take the cognitive test. It is highly suggested to try the sample questions before taking the actual test. You will receive a completion email from predictiveindex.com, once you have finished the cognitive test.
Note: We need both the PI and cognitive assessments completed before we will review your application submission. If there are issues, please reach out to pilotrecruitment@solaerialsurveys.com for support.
We are much more interested in bringing in the right person, so even if your background doesn't quite match, we would still love to hear from you!
