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Assistant Flight Instructor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Active TS/SCI clearance with adjudicated Poly Preferred: * 4+ years' experience using flight safety ... instructor experience * SME-level knowledge of foreign/domestic space & ground system threat ...

Active TS/SCI clearance with adjudicated Poly Preferred: * 4+ years' experience using flight safety ... instructor experience * SME-level knowledge of foreign/domestic space & ground system threat ...

Showing results 41-42

Assistant Flight Instructor information

See Virginia salary details

$8

$20

$37

How much do assistant flight instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant flight instructor in Virginia is $20.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.04 and $24.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Assistant Flight Instructor vs Flight Instructor?

AspectAssistant Flight InstructorFlight Instructor
CertificationsRequires a commercial pilot certificate and instructor ratingsRequires a commercial pilot certificate and instructor ratings
Work EnvironmentAssists in flight training under supervisionLeads flight training sessions independently
ResponsibilitiesSupports flight instruction, observes, and assistsProvides full flight instruction, evaluates students

In summary, an Assistant Flight Instructor supports and assists Flight Instructors in training pilots, often under supervision, while Flight Instructors independently lead training sessions and evaluate students. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in responsibilities and independence.

What is an assistant flight instructor?

Assistant Flight Instructors are licensed pilots who help main flight instructors teach student pilots the fundamentals of flying. Their responsibilities often include conducting ground instruction, supervising flight training sessions, assisting with pre-flight and post-flight briefings, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. While they may not have full instructor privileges, they play a vital role in supporting the learning process and helping students build confidence and skills. Assistant Flight Instructors work under the supervision of fully certified flight instructors and are an essential part of many flight schools.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant flight instructor?

To thrive as an Assistant Flight Instructor, you need a solid understanding of aerodynamics, flight operations, and safety procedures, typically supported by a commercial pilot license and a certified flight instructor (CFI) rating. Familiarity with flight training devices, flight planning software, and aviation regulations is essential. Strong communication, patience, and the ability to adapt teaching techniques to different learning styles are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure effective student instruction, regulatory compliance, and the safe operation of training flights.

What are some common challenges assistant flight instructors face when working with student pilots?

Assistant Flight Instructors often encounter students with varying learning styles and confidence levels, which can make adapting lesson plans a key challenge. Balancing safety with effective teaching during real-time flight scenarios requires strong communication and quick decision-making. Additionally, instructors must manage administrative tasks such as maintaining accurate training records and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations. Collaborating closely with senior instructors and other staff is also essential for providing consistent, high-quality instruction and supporting students’ progress.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Instructor jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Flight Instructor jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Assistant Flight Instructor jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Assistant Flight Instructor job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Flight Instructor job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,223 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

Space Systems SME Trainer

Peraton

Fort Belvoir, VA

$135K - $216K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 224 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities

As a trainer & systems subject matter expert on developing space domain systems supporting a national security program space warfighting mission, you will be part of a training team responsible for equipping assigned staff with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to win in a contested space environment. The systems SME trainer role is an expert user of current and developing resident space object (RSO) monitoring & tracking systems, playing a vital role in constructing tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and integrating space threat response procedures into current operations by leveraging the latest deployed software capabilities. A successful candidate will enhance training program development, documentation and hands-on training efforts by merging system and mission knowledge to enable our warfighters and protect national space assets. This subject matter expert (SME)-level position requires advanced skills in both formal classroom instruction and hand-on system training.

 

  • Provide formal classroom and hands-on training for staff in all work center divisions
  • Understands all major system capabilities, workflows, data types/formats, system dependencies at an expert level, with ability to develop quick contingency procedures
  • Lead training meetings, attend ops update briefings, exercise, strategic planning meetings, and tool demonstrations, sharing SME knowledge & system expertise
  • Assist in system integration and development efforts as SME and user resource
  • Recognizes and reports on any system roadblocks, vulnerabilities, and/or procedural and training deficits posing risk to mission success
  • Offer ad hoc and supplemental hands-on system training for operators upon request
  • Author training documentation and builds visual aids with step-by-step instructions, capturing system screenshots with supporting annotations using standard office software tools (i.e. MS Word, PowerPoint, Adobe PDF etc.)
  • Maintains advanced system proficiency (i.e., Systems Tool Kit (STK) and other software)
  • Work full-time on-site at a government facility in Springfield, VA (*some travel, up to 15%, is necessary to meet training and mission requirements)

***This position is contingent upon award of contract***

Qualifications
  • 12 years of space operations and/or space intelligence experience with bachelor's degree (BS/BA); 16 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree; 10 years of relevant experience with master's degree in related STEM or teaching fields
  • Excellent oral & written communication skills
  • Active TS/SCI clearance with adjudicated Poly

Preferred: 

  • 4+ years' experience using flight safety tools (i.e., ASW, SuperCombo) tools, STK or similar orbital visualization propagators and threat determination analysis tools
  • 2+ years' formal training/instructor experience
  • SME-level knowledge of foreign/domestic space & ground system threat capabilities
  • Prior supervisor/managerial or operations task/project team lead experience
  • Prior experience with Air Force/Space Force training records and positional task lists
  • Orbital Analyst schooling (i.e. Space 100, 200, 300, Advance Orbital Mechanics, Orbital Analyst Training Course or similar)
  • Advanced proficiency in MS word and PowerPoint
  • Superior oral & written communication skills, experience interacting with military and civilian leaders
Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017