Mission Planner

National Airlines, based in Orlando, FL, operates passenger charter service as well as customized military and commercial air cargo carriages worldwide. National Airlines specializes in over-sized, time sensitive, and special handling requirements, utilizing 747-400 and A-330-200 aircraft to accomplish its missions.

Job Title: Mission Planner

Location: Orlando, FL

Department: Ops Control Center

Reports To: Mission Planning Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary: The Mission Planner researches each proposed flight operation for compliance as it relates to permissions, feasibility, and risk analysis. The Mission Planner interfaces and is the main point of contact for the sales team. Mission Planner helps ensure that all National Airlines trips comply with Federal Air Regulations, company guidelines and foreign government requirements. In addition, the Mission Planner provides technical data to support the OCC’s internal and external customers. 

Essential Functions:

• Interfaces with sales on trip feasibility to ensure each proposed mission can be accomplished considering all constraints. 
• Provides a route analysis to include projected in route times, fuel burn projections mandatory way points for entry and exit points and any additional route constraints or concerns.
• Identifies all required overflight and landing permissions and set realistic expectations by providing expected lead time required for obtaining each permit. 
• Identifies any additional insurance requirements for the carriage of special cargo such as dangerous goods or operations into high-risk areas.
• Conducts an aircraft performance and airport suitability check for each leg to ensure payload requirements can be met. Add technical stops as necessary.
• Provides a maximum expected payload based on expected constraints and limitation.
• Provides constraints on any proposed dangerous goods including the lead time required to obtain special permission.
• Secures required permits through vendors, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Diplomatic Authorities (APACS) or military as appropriate.
• Maintains all necessary documentation for the acquisition of permissions.
• Coordinates with corporate attorneys on trip planning issues as necessary.
• Builds confirmed trips in AIMS and Navblue computer system.
• Coordinates with Maintenance Control and Sales for aircraft trip assignments.
• Coordinates with Ground Operations to ensure all necessary ground operations preparations are made. 
• Coordinates with Crew Scheduling on crew requirements.
• Coordinates or advises the Director of SOC, Director of Operations and/or Chief Pilot on all unusual request or circumstances.
• Need to attend / discuss operational issues / matters in in the daily operations meeting.
• Coordinates with SOC support on the maintenance of all aircraft and airline documents required for trip planning and permitting.
• Coordinates with the DOD on military missions as necessary.
• Secures diplomatic clearances as necessary.
• Flexible hours/shift work required to cover operation twenty-four (24) hours a day and seven (7) days a week.
• May be asked to act as a dispatcher if the need arises.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills:

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) Diploma
• Bachelor's Degree preferred but not required.
• Valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate is required.
• Two (2) years' experience working in a flight operation center.
• Two (2) years Aviation experience
• Basic understanding of obtaining flight operations permits for flights into or over foreign states.
• Basic understanding of U.S. Military contracts for flight operations preferred but not required.
• Exceptional communication skills with complete fluency in written and spoken English.
• Basic foreign language skills (read, speak, and understand) preferred but not required.
• Regular attendance and/or punctuality is required.
• Pass a ten (10) year background check, pre-employment drug test and criminal history records check (CHRC).
• Strong technical knowledge of aircraft performance, navigation, weather, and Federal Air Regulations as they relate to trip planning.
• Proficient with Microsoft products.
• Able to work in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, copy machine/printer.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Light to moderate lifting up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

• Moderate noise (i.e., business offices with computers, phones, printers, and overhead lights).
• Ability to work in a confined office or open cubicle environment

The work physical demands and environmental characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

National Air Cargo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, Protected Veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions or other conditions of employment or career development. We take affirmative steps to hire and advance females, racial minorities, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We offer Reasonable Accommodations where necessary to candidates for employment and to our qualified employees with disabilities.

National Airlines also expects all our employees to support and promote our Safety Management System (SMS) Safety Policy and Safety Objectives. Employees at all levels of the organization are encouraged to report safety concerns or hazards without fear of reprisal.