Highway Patrol Pilot III

Job Code: 32002419
Salary Grade: HP05
Revision Date: 06/2018

Class Concept

Employees pilot single engine and/or multi-engine rotary wing aircraft in support of law enforcement activities. Positions serve as a duty station supervisor, which involves directing and coordinating other pilots, evaluating mission requests from local authorities, coordinating and scheduling missions, and making recommendations on the purchase or aircraft and equipment. Employees fly multiple missions such as: marijuana identification and eradication, drug enforcement, aerial crime scene surveillance, searches for missing persons and suspects, and often fly at night. Employees often decide where and when to terminate an operation and an arrest. Work also includes occasionally testifying in court, and developing training material and conducting classroom instruction. Employees conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections of aircraft and note all discrepancies in a maintenance log, and maintain all other necessary logs and reports related to their flights. Work includes coordinating co-pilots, evaluating mission requests from local law enforcement agencies, and coordination of missions (to include flying missions) and making recommendations on aircraft and equipment. Employees plan flights, which requires consideration and evaluation of weather, navigational aids, routing, alternative routes and destinations. Positions provide guidance and training to pilots and co-pilots and prepares accurate reporting for the FAA. Employees plan flights considering weather, navigational aids, routing, altitudes, alternative routes and destinations, loading and weight distribution, fuel requirements, and the filing of flight plans as necessary. Employees are responsible for conducting performance checks of aircraft systems, computation of loading and weight distribution, taking into consideration equipment and fuel. Analysis is performed on the aircraft and weather conditions which may result in adjustments to routes or flight cancellations.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of North Carolina State Highway Patrol policies and procedures, laws of arrest, search and seizure.
• Thorough knowledge of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of air navigation and of single engine and/or multi-engine aircraft capabilities and performances.
• Thorough knowledge of all appropriate laws and regulations related to law enforcement duties.
• Thorough knowledge of flight planning, meteorology and aircraft maintenance requirements.
• Ability to pilot single and/or multi-engine aircraft in all weather conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain pleasant working relationships.
• Ability to supervise, coach, mentor, train subordinate staff.

Minimum Education and Experience

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of experience in law enforcement work related to the area of assignment and 500 hours of flight time in a closely related type of aircraft and/or type of mission; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer under the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

Qualified in FAA Part 133 Class A, B and D Short-Haul Operations; and be familiar with ropes, knots and rigging; and be qualified as a Systems Operator (S/O) during Short-Haul Rescue Operations.

Possess an Instrument - Commercial Helicopter Rating and an FAA Second Class Flight Physical as required by FAR Parts 61 and 91. This position must possess a Certified Flight Instructor Rating in Rotorcraft as required by FAR Parts 61 and 91.