Certified Flight Instructor Jobs
Certified Flight Instructor jobs are open across flight schools, regional airlines, universities, and military contract programs, at every level from newly certificated to chief instructor, with specializations in instrument rating, multi-engine, and airline transport pilot preparation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Final selection will be contingent upon verification of qualifications and eligibility for FAA approval as Chief Instructor under 14 CFR § 141.35.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Aviation Operations, the Chief Flight Instructor is responsible for administering FAA-approved training curricula, supervising and evaluating flight instructors, developing and implementing standardized training procedures, and ensuring students receive consistent, high-quality flight instruction.
The Chief Flight Instructor will work collaboratively with flight operations management, faculty, maintenance personnel, and the Safety Manager to promote a proactive safety culture, improve operational efficiency, and support student progression and successful completion of flight training programs.
Additional responsibilities include maintaining required FAA training records, overseeing stage checks and instructor standardization, monitoring student and instructor performance, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with applicable university policies and accreditation requirements, including those established by SACSCOC and the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
The successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment, effective communication, accountability, and a commitment to developing flight instructors, maintaining rigorous professional aviation standards, and supporting the continued growth and success of Delta State University’s Commercial Aviation program.
The successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment, effective communication skills, and experience supervising flight instructors, maintain training standards, and ensure regulatory compliance.
A master’s degree in Commercial Aviation, Aviation Management, Aeronautical Science, or a closely related aviation field is preferred but not required.
Demonstrated knowledge of FAA Part 141 regulations, flight training operations, instructor standardization, safety procedures, and regulatory compliance. Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills are required. Must be eligible for FAA approval as Chief Instructor.
Experience managing a university or collegiate Part 141 flight training program, developing standardized instructional procedures, supervising flight instructors, implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS), and supporting aviation accreditation requirements.
Candidates should identify any previous experience serving as a Chief Flight Instructor, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Check Airman, or in another aviation leadership position.
Final selection will be contingent upon verification of qualifications and eligibility for FAA approval as Chief Instructor under 14 CFR § 141.35.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in strengthening flight instructor standardization, promoting a proactive safety culture, improving student training outcomes, and supporting the continued growth and development of the Commercial Aviation program.
This position requires a collaborative, hands-on leader who demonstrates professionalism, accountability, sound judgment, and a commitment to operational excellence. The Chief Flight Instructor will work closely with the Executive Director of Aviation Operations and other departmental leadership to maintain high standards of training, regulatory compliance, and safety.
- Resume
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- Teaching Philosophy
- Letter of Reference 1
- Letter of Reference 2
- Curriculum Vitae
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Find JobsCertified Flight Instructor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- FlightSafety International11

- KBFS3

- Akima2

- American Flyers2

- Lockheed Martin2

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Medical Devices
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in certified flight instructor jobs.
- FAA Certified Flight Instructor certificate with current flight instructor endorsements
- Minimum total flight time and pilot-in-command hours as specified by the employer
- FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate
- Instrument instructor certificate (CFII) for roles involving instrument training
- Experience teaching in the specific aircraft type or fleet used by the employer
- Current flight review and instrument proficiency check within regulatory periods
Tips for Your Certified Flight Instructor Job Search
Tailor your resume to each certificate
List your FAA certificates and ratings in a dedicated section at the top, including your CFI, CFII, and MEI if you hold them. Hiring managers scan for these before reading anything else, so don't bury them inside a paragraph.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists certified flight instructor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Log time categories before you apply
Many postings require specific minimums in total time, multi-engine, or instrument hours. Audit your logbook before applying so you can cite exact figures in your application and avoid wasting a screening call on a mismatch.
Target flight schools by fleet type
Part 141 academies, university aviation programs, and Part 61 schools hire for different aircraft and syllabi. Match your endorsements and experience to the fleet listed in the posting rather than applying to every opening indiscriminately.
Prepare a teaching demonstration for interviews
Many employers ask you to deliver a ground lesson or preflight briefing on the spot. Practice explaining a maneuver like steep turns or unusual attitude recovery to a non-pilot audience so your instruction sounds clear and structured, not rote.
Negotiate schedule before accepting an offer
CFI pay often depends heavily on hours flown, not a fixed salary. Ask specifically about guaranteed minimums, aircraft availability, and how the schedule is built before you sign, so you know what you'll actually earn in a slow month.
Certified Flight Instructor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most certified flight instructors?
The most active employers for certified flight instructors right now are FlightSafety International, KBFS, and Akima, and the most openings are in Texas, Florida, and Arizona, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Flight academies and university aviation programs tend to post the highest volume of openings year-round.
How many certified flight instructor jobs are remote?
About 0% of certified flight instructor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how flight-time requirements make most roles inherently in-person. Ground school instruction, online syllabus development, and aviation theory coaching are the sub-areas most likely to offer partial remote arrangements.
How do you become a certified flight instructor?
You must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, then complete CFI-specific ground and flight training focused on teaching fundamentals and aeronautical knowledge. After passing the FAA Fundamentals of Instruction written exam and the CFI written exam, you complete a practical test with an FAA examiner who evaluates both your flying and your ability to teach maneuvers from the right seat.
Can you get hired as a certified flight instructor with low total hours?
Yes, some Part 61 flight schools and smaller general aviation operations hire newly certificated instructors who meet only the FAA minimums. Building hours as a CFI is a recognized career path toward airline minimums, so many employers actively hire low-time instructors and provide structured mentorship. Focusing your search on smaller schools with high student volume gives you the best chance of landing that first role.
What does the certified flight instructor interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone or video screen to verify certificates, ratings, and availability, followed by an in-person visit to the flight school or academy. The in-person stage typically includes a logbook review, a ground lesson demonstration where you teach a maneuver or concept to the interviewer, and a check flight in the school's aircraft to confirm right-seat proficiency and instructional technique before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to certified flight instructor jobs?
You can find and apply to certified flight instructor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from flight schools, universities, and aviation programs across the United States. Find roles that match your certificates and experience, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 59 Certified Flight Instructor Jobs
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