Job Description
Job Description
The Chief Flight Instructor role is located in Valparaiso, Indiana. It leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices in flight safety, compliance, and instruction. Oversees flight instruction to reinforce our reputation as a leader in aviation education.
Principal Accountabilities
- Ensures the flight school maintains training techniques, procedures, and standards acceptable to the FAA Administrator. Builds and maintains a culture of excellence that maintains the organization’s reputation as a top tier aviation school.
- Conducts initial and recurrent proficiency checks for all assigned flight instructors. Ensures every student and instructor operates within established safety protocols.
- Supervises all flight training and evaluation activities. Coordinates instructor and student schedules to maximize educational and training outcomes. Mentors instructors to ensure consistency, compliance and safety.
- Serves as the primary point of contact with the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) regarding operations, instruction, and safety matters.
- Develops, reviews, and assists with the preparation of FAA Training Course Outlines (TCOs) and curriculum updates. Develops and adapts training curricula to meet FAA and global standards.
- Maintains student and instructor training records in accordance with FAA and school requirements.
- Is available at the school or reachable by electronic means when training for an approved course is being conducted.
Flight Time Requirements
The minimum flight experience requirements for a Chief Flight Instructor are outlined in 14 CFR § 141.35 and depend on the specific course(s) they are designated to oversee:
Specific flight hour requirements depend on the course, such as those for recreational/private pilot certificates, instrument ratings, or other courses like commercial pilot or ATP. For detailed requirements, refer to 14 CFR 141.35 in the eCFR. Special considerations for gliders, balloons, or airships have reduced hour requirements (40%), and ground school chief instructors need one year of experience at a certificated pilot school.
Qualifications
To be eligible for designation as a chief instructor for a course of training, a person must meet the requirements as outlined in § 141.35. Here below is a brief summary. Candidates must familiarize themselves with the FAA’s detailed requirements found at 14 CFR 141.35 in the eCFR
(1) Hold a commercial pilot certificate or an airline transport pilot certificate, and, except for a chief instructor for a course of training solely for a lighter-than-air rating, a current flight instructor certificate. The certificates must include the appropriate aircraft category and class ratings for the aircraft used in the course, and an instrument rating, if required for enrollment in the course of training.
(2) Meet the pilot-in-command recent flight experience requirements of § 61.57.
(3) Pass a knowledge test on teaching methods, applicable provisions of the "Aeronautical Information Manual" and provisions of parts 61, 91, and 141; and on the objectives and approved course completion standards of the course for which the person seeks to obtain the designation.
(4) Pass a proficiency test on instructional skills and ability to train students on the flight procedures and maneuvers appropriate to the course.
For a course of training leading to the issuance of a recreational or private pilot certificate or rating, a chief instructor must have:
(1) At least 1,000 hours as pilot in command; and
(2) Primary flight training experience, acquired as either a certificated flight instructor or an instructor in a military pilot flight training program, or a combination thereof, consisting of at least—
(i) 2 years and a total of 500 flight hours; or
(ii) 1,000 flight hours.
(c) For a course of training leading to the issuance of an instrument rating or a rating with instrument privileges, a chief instructor must have:
(1) At least 100 hours of flight time under actual or simulated instrument conditions;
(2) At least 1,000 hours as pilot in command; and
(3) Instrument flight instructor experience, acquired as either a certificated flight instructor-instrument or an instructor in a military pilot flight training program, or a combination thereof, consisting of at least—
(i) 2 years and a total of 250 flight hours; or
(ii) 400 flight hours.
(d) For a course of training other than one leading to the issuance of a recreational or private pilot certificate or rating, or an instrument rating, or a rating with instrument privileges, a chief instructor must have:
(1) At least 2,000 hours as pilot in command; and
(2) Flight training experience, acquired as either a certificated flight instructor or an instructor in a military pilot flight training program, or a combination thereof, consisting of at least—
(i) 3 years and a total of 1,000 flight hours; or
(ii) 1,500 flight hours.
(e) To be eligible for designation as chief instructor for a ground school course, a person must have 1 year of experience as a ground school instructor at a certificated pilot school.
At iFly USA, we are redefining aviation education. Join us in creating the future of aviation!
Company DescriptionOur mission is to provide a seamless integration of safety, legality, and efficiency, bridging international aviation standards and creating unparalleled opportunities for our students.
Company Description
Our mission is to provide a seamless integration of safety, legality, and efficiency, bridging international aviation standards and creating unparalleled opportunities for our students.