Page 24 - Volume 21 Number 11

WHO:
Bart Jones
WHERE:
Vero Beach, FL
POSITION:
Piper Aircraft Chief Pilot,
Senior Manager of Production Flight Test
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Ratings: Seaplane, Tailwheel, Single-Engine Commercial and Multi-Engine ATP
Hours: 10,000+
by Rebecca Groom Jacobs
1. You’ve been at Piper more than 28 years. Can you describe your start at the company?
I was hired into the training department in 1989, back when Piper used to perform all piston training in-house, with both new and old aircraft. Stuart Millar, Piper’s owner at that time, held the belief that we needed to train in all airplanes because of the intangible benefits – can’t put a dollar figure on accidents you don’t have. So, during my first five years I provided type-specific training to pilots in Senecas, Aerostars, Saratogas, Cherokees, Seminoles, Super Cubs, Malibus and others. It was a really fun time, and I met a lot of great people I am still friends with today.
2. What are your current responsibilities within the company?
I am the chief pilot, as well as senior manager of production flight test. I am essentially responsible for anyone who flies within the company with the exception of engineering test flight. I also act as the corporate pilot, check out sales pilots, perform demo flights, transport aircraft to trade shows, etc. But I spend the bulk of my time f lying production test f lights across the whole product line. Each aircraft has its own extensive flight test procedure designated by the FAA prior to certification. We are the ones who verify it meets those operational standards.
3. In your career, what have been some of the biggest shifts in the industry?
I’d say the growth in avionics and cockpit automation has been the biggest shift. Airplanes have not changed all that much otherwise. But the automation has made both airplanes and pilots different. The whole attitude of flying is different. Back when I started, you didn’t expect the autopilot to work and now it’s a shock if it doesn’t. With GPS, flight planning has dramatically changed as well – it takes a lot less pilot input. Cost is another shift, but I have my own theory on that topic.
22 • TWIN & TURBINE
November 2017