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400 Hours Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eagle Aircraft

Chief Flight Instructor

South Bend, IN · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

At least 2,000 hours Pilot-in-Command (PIC) . * At least 100 hours of actual or simulated ... 400 hours of instrument instruction. The Chief Instructor shall maintain all FAA certificates ...

Metrea Management LLC

KC-135 Pilot

Temecula, CA · On-site

Position Summary Metrea is actively recruiting current and qualified Contract KC-135 Pilots-in ... Bachelor's degree required Experience: * 400 hours of flight time in KC-135 / C-135FR Aircraft ...

Amentum

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Fort Novosel, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

What We Do Since 1989, Amentum Services, Inc. with its 400+ employee workforce, has trained and ... Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ...

Pae

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Fort Novosel, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

What We Do Since 1989, Amentum Services, Inc. with its 400+ employee workforce, has trained and ... Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ...

CAE, Inc.

CAE-ERAU FlightDeck Direct Pilot

Whippany, NJ · On-site

$23/hr

... 400 hours total time preferred; exceptional candidates with 250 hours may be considered. - English language proficiency meeting aviation standards. - U.S. work authorization and ability to meet TSA ...

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400 Hours Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do 400 hours pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for 400 hours pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 400 hours pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 400 Hours Pilot, you need a valid commercial pilot license, strong aviation knowledge, and at least 400 logged flight hours. Familiarity with flight management systems, GPS navigation, and aircraft-specific simulators is typically required, and additional certifications like multi-engine or instrument ratings can be advantageous. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making, and communication skills help pilots manage cockpit responsibilities and coordinate with crew and air traffic control. These competencies are crucial for ensuring flight safety, efficiency, and compliance with aviation regulations at an early stage in a pilot's career.

What is the difference between 400 Hours Pilot vs Private Pilot?

Aspect400 Hours PilotPrivate Pilot
Required CertificationsMinimum 400 flight hours, often includes additional training or endorsementsAt least 40 flight hours, including solo and cross-country
Work EnvironmentFlight training, entry-level flying, or preparatory rolesPersonal flying, recreational, or non-commercial activities
Industry UsageUsed as a stepping stone toward commercial pilot certificationsPrimarily for personal and recreational flying

The 400 Hours Pilot typically has more flight experience than a Private Pilot and is often working toward commercial certification. While both roles involve flying, the 400 Hours Pilot is more focused on gaining experience for professional purposes, whereas the Private Pilot is mainly for personal use.

What types of flight assignments and routes can a 400 hours pilot typically expect, and how are these determined?

As a 400 hours pilot, most opportunities will be with smaller operators, flight schools, aerial survey companies, or as a co-pilot in multi-crew environments. Assignments often include short-haul regional flights, training flights, or specific missions like banner towing or skydiving drops. The routes and types of flights you receive are usually based on company needs, your certifications, and your experience level. Seniority and demonstrated proficiency can lead to more varied or challenging assignments as you build hours and skills.

What is a 400 hours pilot?

A 400 hours pilot is an aviator who has accumulated a total of 400 flight hours, which typically includes both training and solo flight time. This amount of experience is common for recent flight school graduates or those early in their professional flying careers. With 400 hours, pilots may qualify for entry-level positions such as flight instructor, banner towing, or aerial survey jobs, but may not yet meet the requirements for airline or larger charter company positions. Building additional flight hours is often necessary to advance to more competitive roles in aviation.
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What cities are hiring for 400 Hours Pilot jobs?

Cities with the most 400 Hours Pilot job openings:

What states have the most 400 Hours Pilot jobs?

States with the most job openings for 400 Hours Pilot jobs include:

What job categories do people searching 400 Hours Pilot jobs look for?

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400 Hours Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various 400 Hours Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 60% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Chief Flight Instructor

Eagle Aircraft

South Bend, IN • On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Chief Flight Instructor: 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 recurring 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

Minimum Chief Instructor Requirements – Instrument & Multi-Engine Training

The Chief Instructor assigned to Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine courses shall:

  • Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
  • Hold a current FAA Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI).
  • Hold the appropriate category and class ratings for the aircraft used in training, including Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL).
  • Hold a current Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) certificate.
  • Meet the recent flight experience requirements of 14 CFR §61.57.
  • Successfully complete the FAA Chief Instructor knowledge and proficiency tests as required by 14 CFR Part 141.

Minimum Experience

  • At least 2,000 hours Pilot-in-Command (PIC).
  • At least 100 hours of actual or simulated instrument flight time.
  • Flight instructor experience consisting of either:
    • 3 years and 1,000 hours of flight instruction; or
    • 1,500 hours of flight instruction.
  • Instrument flight instructor experience consisting of either:
    • 2 years and 250 hours of instrument instruction; or
    • 400 hours of instrument instruction.

The Chief Instructor shall maintain all FAA certificates, ratings, qualifications, and currency necessary to conduct and supervise training in accordance with 14 CFR Parts 61, 91, and 141.

At iFly USA, we are redefining aviation education. Join us in creating the future of aviation!

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.