Director of Training – Utility Helicopter Operations
Job Description
Job Title: Director of Training
Department: Operations
Reports To: Director of Operations, Chief PIlot, VP Maintenance, Program Managers and Fleet Manager
Industry Focus: Utility Helicopter Operations (power line, pipeline, firefighting, construction, logging, SAR, and external load missions)
Position Summary
The Director of Training is responsible for developing, managing, and overseeing all pilot and crew training programs for utility helicopter operations (including flight, Mechanic and Driver). This role ensures regulatory compliance (primarily FAA Part 135, Part 133, Part 91 and CASA regulations for firefighting, FMCSA/DOT), maintains high safety standards, and prepares pilots for the demanding and varied missions typical of utility work, including external load operations, mountain flying, night operations, and precision vertical reference flying. This position will also support the Chief Pilot, VP Maintenance, Fleet Manager, Program Managers, Director of Operations in leading, overseeing, and managing pilot teams, mechanic teams and driver teams in helicopter operations. The position balances operational leadership, standardization, regulatory compliance, and active line flying duties. This position ensures safe, efficient, and compliant flight operations while mentoring pilots, mechanics and drivers and maintaining a strong safety culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage comprehensive training programs focused on utility helicopter missions, including long-line external loads, Class A/B/C loads, human external cargo (HEC), and confined area operations.
- Create and maintain training curricula for initial, recurrent, transition, and upgrade training specific to utility operations. Exercise operational control. Support continuous improvement in safety, efficiency, and performance.
- Oversee training in high-risk environments such as mountain flying, wire environment awareness, night vision goggle (NVG/NVIS) operations, and aerial firefighting (if applicable).
- Ensure all training meets or exceeds FAA Part 135 and Part 133 requirements and supports the company’s Safety Management System (SMS).
- Manage and evaluate training devices, flight simulators, and computer-based training systems.
· Act as a liaison between flight crews, management, and other departments.
- Supervise and standardize a team of instructors including check pilots, maintenance leads and CDL drivers.
- Conduct training audits, line checks, and proficiency evaluations with emphasis on risk management and decision-making in utility environments.
- Maintain all training records and ensure readiness for FAA audits and customer audits.
- Develop and implement scenario-based training for real-world utility hazards (wire strikes, dynamic rollover, loss of tail rotor effectiveness, etc.).
- Collaborate with the Director of Operations, Safety Officer, VP Maintenance, Chief Pilot, Program managers, Fleet Manager on training gaps identified through incident reports or operational data.
- Maintain all requirements to remain in good standing with all required documentation and training for Utility customer platforms (ISN, Avetta, etc).
Additional Duties
· Collaborate on safety programs, risk assessments, and mission planning. May manage field operations managers or handle administrative tasks like records management and reporting.
· Other duties and projects as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aerospace, or a related field (preferred but not always required in utility operations).
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of helicopter flight experience, with at least 5 years in utility helicopter operations.
- Previous experience as a Check Pilot, Training Captain, or Director of Training in Part 135 utility, construction, or firefighting operations.
- Strong background in external load operations and vertical reference flying.
Licenses & Certifications
- Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating (ATP preferred).
- Minimum 15,000 total helicopter PIC hours, with significant utility/external load experience including HEC. Minimum 5,000 hours PIC AS350. Minimum 1,000 hours PIC Sikorsky. Minimum 3,000 hrs of CFI.
- Prior designation as a Check Airman under Part 135.
- Prior designation Chief Pilot Parts 133, 135, 137 and 141.
- Prior designation Director of Operations.
- NVG/NVIS qualification and mountain flying experience strongly preferred.
Skills and Competencies
- In-depth knowledge of Part 133 external load regulations and utility-specific procedures.
- Strong instructional and standardization skills.
- Ability to design practical, scenario-based training for high-risk utility missions.
- Experience with risk assessment and single-pilot resource management (SRM).
- Proficiency with digital training management systems.
- Leadership and team management
- Strong decision-making under pressure
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Regulatory knowledge and attention to detail
- Safety-oriented mindset
- Organizational and multitasking abilities
- Proficiency with aviation software/scheduling tools
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with aerial firefighting, shorthaul and power line maintenance operations.
- Previous work with Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS).
- Background in developing training for multiple helicopter types (e.g., Bell 407, AS350, MD 500, EC130).
- Experience with human external cargo (HEC) operations and Class D loads.
· Strong knowledge of FAA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and rotary-wing operations.
Pre-Employment Drug screen and background checks required.
We are an EOE and a drug, alcohol, and tobacco free workplace. Brainerd Helicopters Inc/dba Firehawk Helicopters and all its ‘affiliate companies is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
