Lead Captain & Flight Operations Manager Challenger 604 | Part 91 | Boise, IdahoPosition OverviewThe Lead Captain & Flight Operations Manager is responsible for the leadership, safety, reliability, and financial stewardship of Bish's RV's corporate aviation department.
This individual serves as Lead Captain of the Challenger 604 and is responsible for the daily operation of the flight department. The Lead Captain is accountable for ensuring that every flight is conducted safely, that the aircraft is consistently available and mission-ready, and that the department operates in a disciplined and cost-conscious manner.
The priorities of this position are clear:
- Safety
- Reliability of dispatch
- Cost-effective operation
- People and leadership
Safety is always the first priority. Within that standard, the Lead Captain is expected to maximize aircraft availability and complete company travel as reliably and efficiently as possible. This includes actively evaluating trip options, maintenance decisions, fuel purchases, vendors, positioning, training, scheduling, and other operating expenses.
This role extends well beyond flying. The Lead Captain owns flight operations, aircraft readiness, maintenance coordination, regulatory compliance, financial management, vendor relationships, scheduling, flight crew development, and passenger experience.
The successful candidate will be an experienced aviator, a practical financial operator, and a trusted advisor to company leadership.
Primary Objectives- Protect Safety Above All Else
- Establish and maintain a flight department culture in which safety is the first consideration in every decision.
- Exercise sound, independent judgment regarding weather, aircraft condition, crew readiness, airport suitability, and operational risk.
- Ensure all flights comply with FAA Part 91 regulations, company procedures, aircraft limitations, and accepted industry practices.
- Maintain current and effective Standard Operating Procedures, risk-management practices, and emergency-response plans.
- Encourage open communication and a culture in which any crew member can raise a safety concern without hesitation.
- Never allow schedule pressure, cost considerations, or passenger expectations to compromise safety.
- Maximize Dispatch Reliability
- Maintain the Challenger 604 in a consistent state of mission readiness.
- Proactively manage scheduled maintenance, inspections, discrepancies, parts availability, and vendor capacity.
- Identify developing maintenance concerns before they result in avoidable downtime or trip interruptions.
- Coordinate maintenance timing to reduce disruption to company travel.
- Develop practical contingency plans for weather, maintenance, crew availability, and other operational interruptions.
- Communicate aircraft availability, risks, and potential disruptions to company leadership promptly and clearly.
- Build reliable relationships with maintenance providers, FBOs, contract crews, and other aviation partners who can support the department when needed.
- Operate Cost Effectively
- Actively identify ways to reduce the total cost of operating the aircraft and completing each trip.
- Consider fuel pricing, fuel stops, handling fees, repositioning costs, airport fees, crew expenses, maintenance implications, and passenger ground transportation when planning trips.
- Obtain competitive bids for significant maintenance and service work when practical.
- Seek cost-effective maintenance solutions without using shortcuts or deferring work that could affect safety or reliability.
- Review invoices for accuracy and challenge inappropriate or unnecessary charges.
- Negotiate pricing and service arrangements with maintenance providers, FBOs, fuel vendors, training providers, and other aviation partners.
- Track operating expenses and provide company leadership with visibility into meaningful cost trends.
- Identify opportunities for preferred pricing, fuel programs, maintenance programs, training efficiencies, and vendor consolidation.
- Make recommendations based on total value rather than simply selecting the lowest initial price. Cost consciousness in this role means achieving the safest and most reliable outcome at the lowest reasonable total cost.
- Lead the Flight Department and Develop Its People
- Lead the day-to-day activities of the flight department.
- Establish clear standards for professionalism, accountability, communication, aircraft care, and passenger service.
- Lead with humility, maturity, and a team-first mindset.
- Mentor and develop the Second-in-Command and other flight crew members.
- Promote strong Crew Resource Management and open cockpit communication.
- Provide clear and constructive feedback.
- Ensure crew members maintain required training, qualifications, medical certificates, and currency.
- Build a department culture that reflects Bish's RV's core values of being Genuine, Fun, and Driven by Results.
- Develop depth within the department so operations do not depend entirely on one individual.
Key Responsibilities: Scheduling and Logistics- Coordinate directly with executive leadership regarding company travel needs.
- Maintain clear and timely communication regarding trip schedules and operational requirements.
- Arrange:
- Fuel
- Ground handling
- Customs and permits
- Catering
- Rental vehicles
- Ground transportation
- Contract crew support
- Anticipate potential problems and provide solutions before they affect the trip.
- Develop backup plans for foreseeable disruptions.
- Ensure changes are communicated promptly to passengers, crew members, and service providers.
Safety and Compliance- Ensure compliance with applicable FAA regulations and company policies.
- Maintain department SOPs, checklists, risk-assessment tools, and safety documentation.
- Verify that all pilots remain properly trained, qualified, medically certified, and current.
- Lead periodic safety discussions and operational reviews.
- Report safety concerns, significant maintenance issues, and operational risks to company leadership.
- Incorporate appropriate Safety Management System principles into the operation.
- Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive company and passenger information.
Financial and Vendor Management- Assist in developing and managing the annual aviation operating budget.
- Track major categories of aviation spending.
- Review fuel, maintenance, training, subscriptions, FBO, hangar, contract pilot, and trip-related expenses.
- Explain significant cost variances to company leadership.
- Identify and implement reasonable cost-reduction opportunities.
- Maintain appropriate controls over purchasing and expense approval.
- Evaluate vendors based on:
- Safety
- Quality
- Reliability
- Responsiveness
- Cost
- Overall value
- Avoid unnecessary services, duplicate subscriptions, excessive fees, and low-value expenditures.
Executive and Passenger Service- Provide a safe, reliable, discreet, and professional travel experience.
- Anticipate passenger needs without creating unnecessary expense or complexity.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding company business, passenger identities, destinations, and schedules.
- Ensure the cabin is clean, organized, stocked, and prepared for each mission.
- Coordinate special requests, catering, and ground transportation.
- Maintain a calm and polished presence during changing or challenging circumstances.
- Represent Bish's RV professionally with passengers, vendors, airports, and the aviation community.
Leadership CompetenciesSafety-Focused Judgment- Makes disciplined decisions without allowing cost or schedule pressure to override safety.
- Recognizes risk early and communicates concerns clearly.
- Knows when to stop, delay, divert, or change a plan.
Reliability and Ownership- Takes personal responsibility for aircraft readiness and department performance.
- Anticipates problems rather than reacting after they occur.
- Follows through consistently and keeps leadership informed.
- Develops backup plans and avoids preventable surprises.
Business and Cost Awareness- Understands that corporate aviation must support the business, not operate separately from it.
- Considers the total financial impact of operational decisions.
- Protects company resources and challenges unnecessary spending.
- Is comfortable reviewing estimates, negotiating with vendors, and analyzing alternatives.
- Finds efficiencies without lowering safety, quality, or reliability standards.
Leadership and People Development- Leads through credibility, competence, humility, and consistency.
- Creates clear expectations and holds people accountable.
- Develops other pilots and encourages professional growth.
- Builds trust within the cockpit and throughout the company.
Communication- Communicates clearly, directly, and professionally.
- Provides leadership with the right amount of information at the right time.
- Explains aviation matters in practical business terms.
- Raises concerns early and brings recommended solutions.
Flexibility and Service- Understands the changing demands of executive travel.
- Responds appropriately to short-notice trips and shifting priorities.
- Maintains a service mindset while protecting safety and operational discipline.
- Is willing to assist with the full scope of flight department responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications- Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
- FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
- Challenger 604 or CL-600 series type rating.
- Minimum 5,000 hours total flight time.
- Minimum 2,000 hours Pilot in Command.
- Minimum 1,000 hours turbine Pilot in Command.
- Minimum 1,000 hours multi-engine flight time.
- Significant Part 91 corporate aviation experience.
- Strong understanding of FAA regulations, international operations, CRM, aircraft performance, and operational risk management.
- Experience coordinating aircraft maintenance and working with maintenance providers.
- Ability to pass required background and drug testing.
- Ability to work a variable schedule and respond to changing travel needs.
Preferred Qualifications- Previous responsibility for leading a corporate flight department.
- Experience managing aircraft maintenance events and reviewing maintenance work scopes.
- Experience preparing or managing an aviation operating budget.
- Demonstrated success reducing operating costs without sacrificing safety or reliability.
- Experience negotiating with maintenance providers, FBOs, fuel vendors, and training providers.
- Experience working directly with a CEO, ownership group, or senior executive team.
- International flight operations experience.
- Experience developing and mentoring other pilots.
Measures of SuccessThe Lead Captain & Flight Operations Manager will be successful when:
- The department maintains an uncompromising safety culture.
- The aircraft is consistently available and mission-ready.
- Preventable cancellations, delays, and maintenance disruptions are minimized.
- Maintenance is planned proactively instead of managed reactively.
- Trips are completed using safe, reliable, and financially responsible options.
- Fuel, handling, maintenance, training, and vendor expenses are actively managed.
- Significant invoices and maintenance recommendations receive appropriate review.
- Leadership receives clear information about aircraft status, operating risks, and costs.
- The Second-in-Command is developing professionally and prepared for increased responsibility.
- Passengers receive a seamless and professional travel experience.
- Company leadership has complete confidence in the aviation department.
Benefits and Resources- Well-maintained Challenger 604 operated under FAA Part 91.
- Established maintenance and hangar partnerships.
- Flight-planning tools, SOPs, safety resources, and operational systems.
- Ongoing initial a
