Captain James T. Simons Jr. has over 40 years of Military and Civilian aviation experience in flying, supervising and managing aviation assets. James recently retired as only the second African American Chief Pilot in the history of United Airlines serving as Chief Pilot of its Washington Base. As Chief Pilot, James supervised over 1400 pilots, and was responsible for flight operations at Washington Dulles Airport, Washington National Airport and Baltimore Airport.

As a United Airlines Pilot and Manager, he has been type rated in several aircraft to include the B-767, B-757, B-737. As a United States Air Force pilot, James flew the KC-135A and R model along with the T-38. James has accumulated more than 14,000 hours of flight time piloting
these various aircraft.

As the Washington Chief Pilot, James delivered results by providing daily operational leadership and direction to the Flight Operations Division from a field perspective. He ensured that the daily base operations were compliant with all FAR’s, the United Airlines Flight operations manual and all corporate guidance. James served as a member of the local Station Operations team to ensure that Flight Operations input, and recommendations were considered in station operating decisions. He also provided input to Corporate Safety, Flight Operations and Air Traffic Systems management regarding operational and schedule related issues. James was transparent in performing his primary job duties which included providing leadership and support to the base. James monitored pilot professional conduct, directed pilot counseling and ensured consistent system-wide discipline standards. He also monitored, evaluated, and justified equipment, facilities and base staffing to achieve Flight Operations goals.

James also served as the Assistant Chief pilot prior to being promoted to Chief Pilot. James was responsible for assuming all the leadership duties of the Chief Pilot when the Chief Pilot was not present. He conducted several investigations and hearings along with processing grievance and disciplinary actions for the base and participated as the Hearing Officer.

James served as a Standards Captain at the United Flight Training Center. In this position James was responsible for evaluating new and senior pilots also conducting recurrent training as developed by Flight Operations leadership and the FAA.

James served 10 years in the USAF as a KC-135 A/R pilot, instructor and evaluator pilot. He was responsible for standardization for all initial, transition and upgrade pilots in the KC-135 fleet while stationed at CCTS, Combat Crew Training School, Castle AFB, California.

James has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, California and a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. James has a wife Judith, 2 children and resides in Houston Texas.