Chief Flight Instructor

Position Title: Chief Flight Instructor

Status: Full-time. Salary and bonus incentives based on company performance

Goal: The Chief Flight Instructor is responsible for overseeing all flight training activities. The Chief Flight Instructor ensures compliance with aviation regulatory standards, oversees instructor qualifications and performance, manages training curriculum, and maintains required standards of safety and instruction within the flight training programs. Grow and build the CFI team, implementing new training programs, and increasing billable CFI time.

Position Summary: Oversee pilot operations for primary and regional satellite flight and instructional activities. Ensure all pilot training, currency, pilot duty time and pilot recordkeeping requirements are met. To ensure all pilots and support personnel are aware of and comply with all regulatory and company requirements regarding flight training operations. Check all preparations and pilot requirements have been met prior to release of rental and training flights. Coordinates with Director of Maintenance to ensure required inspections are completed and appropriate maintenance forms are submitted.

Responsible for all ground, simulator and flight instruction at IA and the procedures surrounding those activities. Supervises all CFI staff. Areas of responsibility include all instructional activities, curriculum and simulator scenario development and pilot mentoring. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for oversight of all aspects of instruction, including initial certificates and ratings, flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks, and technology in the cockpit
• Conducts required pilot training and maintains associated record keeping.
• Oversees and manages/supervises all aspects of instruction and assigned staff to ensure effective, efficient, consistent and safe operations
• Responsible for maximizing the number of billed CFI hours for all CFI staff to meet company KPI’s.
• Participates in providing flight instruction to clients and completing stage checks for clients.
• Responsible for completing all initial and recurrent training of Flight Instructors.
• Oversees all curriculum and simulator scenario development
• Oversees all mentoring activities, including transitions, checkouts in advanced aircraft, skill development and enhancement, and advanced decision making support and feedback
• Oversees all pilot services, including ferrying aircraft
• Responsible for managing the Safety Committee on a recurring basis and implementing new safety initiatives for Instructor Pilots.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate procedures and guidelines and ensures they are followed
• Encourages teamwork and a positive outlook and approach to daily business affairs
• Supervises all instructional staff, including the timely writing and delivery of performance evaluations
• Designates pilots as on or off flight status, makes aircraft and position assignments for pilots, and maintains those records.
• Ensures pilots meet currency and FAA flight check requirements prior to scheduling them for flights.
• Schedules pilots for flights and ensures each assignment falls within duty-time limitations.
• Verifies appropriate duty-time forms are completed, including the annual summary.
• Ensures pilots complete all required forms for each charter flight and submit them as appropriate.
• Ensures all maintenance reports are completed in a timely manner and filed appropriately.
• Coordinates with Ground Support as needed for Part 91 flights.
• Ensures complete redundancy among the Flight Instructor team to ensure there is always a backup pilot in the event of scheduling conflicts.
• Must cover and fill in for VIP SF50 Part 91 flights when the primary pilot cannot complete the mission
• Handles other duties as assigned by the Vice President.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Intimate knowledge of FAA regulations regarding flight instruction, commercial and charter operations
• Thorough knowledge of FAA regulations surrounding ground, simulator and flight instruction in Part 61, 91, 135, and 141 environments
• Skill in managing multiple priorities while maintaining safety, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction
• Skill in implementing safety procedures and creating a positive safety culture
• Skill in delivering a good customer experience
• Ability to interpret and respond to customer issues
• Ability to maintain currency in company charter aircraft
• Skill in being an effective member of a team and an effective collaborator
• Ability to establish priorities and assign resources as needed to accomplish those priorities
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Ability to concisely and succinctly report on activities and projects to the Vice President

Credentials and Experience: 

• Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and be qualified to serve as pilot in command in Cirrus Aircraft.
• College degree in Aviation and/or Management or related field required.
• Minimum 2,500 hours flight time
• Minimum 1,000 hours dual instruction given
• CFI, CFII

Special Requirements:

Must be willing to work overtime, holidays, weekends, and off hours upon occasion when company and customer requirements dictate.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in providing instruction in Cirrus Aircraft SR2x’s and Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet.

Ability to meet the FAA requirements for Part 135 Chief Pilot and/or Director of Operations. Additional compensation for Part 135 Chief Pilot duties. Part 135 Chief Pilot qualifications:

• Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and be qualified to serve as pilot in command in at least one aircraft used in Independence Aviation’s charter operation.
• For a first-time ever Chief Pilot, have at least 3 years’ experience, within the past 6 years, as pilot in command of an aircraft operated under Part 121 or Part 135.
• For a person with previous experience as a Chief Pilot, have at least 3 years’ experience as pilot in command of an aircraft operated under Part 121 or Part 135.

Benefits: 

401k

2 weeks paid time off (accrued)

Health insurance reimbursement program

Free flight simulator time

Participate in quarterly Cirrus adventure fly-out events