45.04 General Qualification Requirements.
- Education. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.
- Experience. Must have successfully completed the DPS All-Service Recruit School and be currently employed as a DPS commissioned officer who has advanced to the rank of Trooper II or above and is not on probation. There must be a minimum of one year of continuous service immediately prior to the date of the written examination. (This requirement is limited to commissioned personnel.)
- License. Must possess a current Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot License in order to apply for this position. The Pilot must be able to upgrade his license to a Commercial License for the appropriate category and class of aircraft before obtaining “Line Pilot Status”. Pilots assigned to fly fixed-wing aircraft as pilot-in-command must also have an instrument rating.
- Law Enforcement Certificate. Must possess a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. (This activity limited to commissioned personnel.)
- Physical. Must possess a current FAA medical certificate to apply for the position. Once selected for the position of Pilot, must maintain a current second-class FAA medical certificate.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
- Knowledge of generally accepted police techniques, procedures, and methodologies. (This activity limited to commissioned personnel.)
- Knowledge of state and federal statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to traffic and criminal law enforcement. (This activity limited to commissioned personnel.)
- Knowledge of Department and Aircraft Operations Division policies and procedures.
- Thorough knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the piloting of aircraft utilized by the Department.
- Knowledge of piloting skills and techniques, navigation, aircraft safety, and maintenance requirements.
- Ability to react calmly and to display leadership in emergency situations; to evaluate and make sound decisions regarding flight conditions; and to work effectively and efficiently with co-pilot, other departmental personnel, other law enforcement and governmental agencies' personnel, and the general public.
- Other Requirements.
- Must possess a valid Texas Driver License.
- Must pass a semi-annual firearms qualification test (commissioned personnel).
- Must meet semi-annual Physical Readiness Testing standards (commissioned personnel).
- Frequent overnight and occasional weeklong travel is required.
- Subject to call twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.