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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Flight Instructor

💰 $55,000 - $95,000

AviationEducationTraining

🎯 Role Definition

As a Flight Instructor, you are the cornerstone of our flight training program. Your primary mission is to provide exceptional flight and ground instruction to aspiring pilots, ensuring they develop the skills, knowledge, and judgment necessary for a safe and successful aviation career. You will be responsible for managing student progress, upholding the highest safety standards, and serving as a mentor and role model. This position requires a deep understanding of FAA regulations, a passion for teaching, and an unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and professional learning environment. You will guide students through various stages of their training, from private pilot certificates to advanced instrument and multi-engine ratings.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Recently graduated Commercial Pilot
  • Experienced Corporate or Charter Pilot seeking to give back
  • Retiring Military Aviator

Advancement To:

  • Chief Flight Instructor or Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
  • Airline Pilot (through our pathway programs)
  • FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate or Charter Pilot
  • Simulator Instructor or Curriculum Developer
  • Aviation Safety Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct high-quality flight and ground instruction in accordance with our approved FAR Part 141 and Part 61 training course outlines and syllabi.
  • Provide comprehensive pre-flight briefings and post-flight debriefings to evaluate performance, identify areas for improvement, and reinforce learning objectives.
  • Teach and mentor students on all aspects of aviation, including aircraft systems, aerodynamics, navigation, weather, and FAA regulations.
  • Develop and implement tailored lesson plans that accommodate individual student learning styles and rates of progress, ensuring a personalized training experience.
  • Meticulously maintain student training records, logbooks, and endorsements in compliance with FAA regulations and internal company policies, ensuring 100% audit readiness.
  • Evaluate student progress through regular stage checks and mock practical exams, providing constructive feedback to prepare them for FAA written, oral, and practical tests.
  • Champion and enforce a robust safety culture, ensuring all flight operations are conducted with the highest regard for safety and risk management.
  • Instill principles of sound aeronautical decision-making (ADM) and threat and error management (TEM) in all students.
  • Ensure all training aircraft are airworthy and operated in strict accordance with the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) and company procedures.
  • Manage your student roster effectively, optimizing schedules to ensure students progress through their training in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Prepare students for a variety of pilot certificates and ratings, including Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, and Certified Flight Instructor.
  • Maintain personal currency and proficiency as a pilot and instructor, including holding a valid FAA Medical Certificate and completing required recurrent training.
  • Serve as a professional mentor and role model, guiding students on career paths and professional conduct within the aviation industry.
  • Conduct flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks (IPCs), and other recurrent training for certified pilots to enhance community safety.
  • Provide instruction on advanced avionics systems, such as the Garmin G1000/G500 glass cockpits, and ensure student proficiency.
  • Perform administrative duties related to student training, including tracking progress, processing payments, and completing required paperwork.
  • Communicate effectively with students, staff, and management regarding student progress, scheduling conflicts, and any potential safety concerns.
  • Uphold a professional image and demeanor at all times, representing the flight school positively to clients, partners, and the public.
  • Adapt instructional techniques for a diverse range of single-engine and multi-engine aircraft within the training fleet.
  • Ensure the flight training environment, including classrooms and briefing rooms, is maintained in a clean, organized, and professional manner.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in safety committee meetings and contribute to the continuous improvement of safety protocols and operational procedures.
  • Assist with student outreach, conducting discovery flights for prospective clients, and participating in promotional events to attract new students.
  • Support the Chief Flight Instructor with curriculum development, standardization meetings, and instructor mentoring.
  • Collaborate with the maintenance department to report aircraft discrepancies and ensure the timely return of aircraft to service.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificate.
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Single-Engine Land rating.
  • Valid and current FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate (or First-Class).
  • Strong knowledge of FAA Regulations, including FAR Parts 61, 91, and 141.
  • Proficiency with modern avionics suites, particularly Garmin G1000.
  • (Preferred) FAA Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) rating.
  • (Preferred) FAA Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) rating.
  • Experience with flight training management software (e.g., Flight Schedule Pro).
  • Logbook and record-keeping accuracy and proficiency.
  • Ability to perform flight maneuvers to commercial pilot standards from the right seat.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex topics clearly and concisely.
  • Patience, empathy, and the ability to adapt teaching methods to various student personalities and learning styles.
  • Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.
  • Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, especially in dynamic flight environments.
  • High degree of professionalism, reliability, and personal accountability.
  • Superior time management and organizational skills to manage a demanding schedule.
  • An unwavering commitment to promoting and maintaining a culture of safety.
  • A positive and encouraging attitude that fosters student confidence and success.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Completion of all required FAA pilot and instructor certifications.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Associate's degree from an accredited institution.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Aeronautical Science
  • Aviation Management
  • Aerospace Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 250 - 500 total flight hours.
  • While prior instructional experience is a plus, we welcome newly-certificated CFIs with a strong aptitude for teaching.

Preferred:

  • At least 100 hours of dual instruction given.
  • Experience in a FAR Part 141 environment.
  • CFII and MEI ratings with instructional experience in instrument and multi-engine training.
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