The FAA is recruiting pilots for mission-critical Operations Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) and is offering hiring incentives to entry level (defined as GS-9/11/12) candidates.

To qualify, in addition to meeting all basic and medical requirements, applicants must demonstrate in their application and/or resume at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG-9, FG-11, or FG-12 level.

Current incentives available to Operations ASIs include:

• An alternative hiring process through the On-the-Spot (OTS) hiring authority for entry level Operations ASIs by eliminating the competitive application process.
• $25K Recruitment Incentive to Operations Aviation Safety Inspector applicants or OTS candidates selected on or after April 3, 2023 to fill a position in a designated hard-to-fill location in the ACO, GAO (Fixed-wing), and GAO (Rotorcraft) specialties.*
• A higher starting salary for Operations ASIs. Whether you qualify at the FG-9, FG-11, or FG-12 grade levels, your base salary will begin at the Step 5 of that grade level instead of the Step 1.
• $10K Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to selected Operations ASIs candidates whose current permanent residence is 100 miles or more away from the offered duty location. You must sign a service agreement and remain in that location for one year.

ASIs in the General Aviation Operations (GAO) and Air Carrier Operations (ACO) specialties apply knowledge and skills typically acquired as airmen (pilots, navigators, flight instructors, etc.) to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the operation of aircraft.

• Applicants for GAO Operations Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI 1825)
• Applicants for ACO Operations Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI 1825)
• Applicants for Rotorcraft Helicopter Operations Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI 1825)
• Apply directly to the FAA for immediate consideration

Applicants for GAO Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI 1825) positions must meet all medical and specialized experience requirements, as well as all of the following basic requirements:

• Valid, unexpired flight instructor certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft.
• Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
• Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
• Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.
• Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
• Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
• Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.
• Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.

Applicants for Air Carrier Operations Safety Inspector (ASI 1825) positions must meet all medical and specialized experience requirements, as well as all of the following basic requirements:

• At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.
• Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard.
• Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years.
• Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.
• Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
• Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.
• Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.

Applicants for Rotocraft Helicopter Operations Safety Inspector (ASI 1825) positions must meet all medical and specialized experience requirements, as well as all of the following basic requirements:

• Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating.
• Must hold a valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument Helicopter rating.
• Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in an aircraft as pilot-in-command or second–in–command, 1,000 hours of which must be in helicopters.
• Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a helicopter.
• Minimum 100 flight hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command or second-in-command or 100 hours as pilot in a Level D Simulator that replicates a helicopter, or any combination thereof, during the last 5 years.
• Not more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.

To apply directly to the FAA for OTS hire consideration:

• Follow the instructions on Application Helpful Hints for what must be included on your resume.
• Submit your resume to the 9ASIResumes@faa.gov for forwarding to the hiring managers of your desired locations.
• Visit the links below for a listing of all GAO and ACO offices.
  • GAO offices
  • ACO offices
• If you meet the requirements, have the skills needed, and a vacancy exists in your desired location, an FAA hiring manager will contact you for next steps.

* This incentive will be offered to OPS applicants or OTS candidates filling an OPS hard-to-fill position/location in the ACO, GAO (Fixed-Wing) and GAO (Rotorcraft) specialties. Hard-to-fill is defined as any position that has taken longer than 6 months to fill based on the SF-39. It will be offered to OPS applicants or OTS candidates “selected” on or after April 3, 2023 and requires a 3-year service agreement. It will not be offered to OPS applicants or OTS candidates that have already been issued a tentative offer prior to April 3, 2023. It will be offered to reinstatement ASIs if they are filling a hard-to-fill position and returning as an FG-9, FG-11, or FG-12 after a 90-day break in service.  FG-13 or higher reinstatements are not eligible. Current FAA employees are not eligible. Federal transfers are not eligible.