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Certified Flight Instructor Jobs in Altus, OK (NOW HIRING)

Eight years total flying experience, five years military experience, with at least two years KC-135 Pilot flight instructor and training management experience. Must have recent experience as a KC-135 ...

Eight years total flying experience, five years military experience, with at least two years KC-135 Pilot flight instructor and training management experience. Must have recent experience as a KC-135 ...

Eight years total flying experience, five years military experience, with at least two years KC-135 Pilot flight instructor and training management experience. Must have recent experience as a KC-135 ...

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Certified Flight Instructor information

See Altus, OK salary details

$22.2K

$83.9K

$128.9K

How much do certified flight instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for certified flight instructor in Altus, OK is $83,855.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,200.00 and $99,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for flight instructors?

The demand for flight instructors remains steady due to ongoing pilot training needs and pilot shortages in the aviation industry. Many flight schools and flight training organizations seek qualified instructors to help students achieve certifications, especially as new pilots enter the workforce and existing pilots seek additional ratings.

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

AspectCertified Flight InstructorFlight Instructor
CredentialsRequires FAA Certified Flight Instructor certificateMay refer to any instructor without specific certification
Work EnvironmentFlight schools, training aircraft, flight simulatorsFlight training environments, flight schools
Industry UsageOfficial certification for instructing studentsGeneral term for anyone teaching flying

Certified Flight Instructor is a specific credential required to legally instruct student pilots, whereas Flight Instructor is a broader term that may include uncertified or non-credentialed instructors. The Certified Flight Instructor designation ensures standardized training and certification recognized by the FAA, making it essential for professional flight training roles.

What are some common challenges faced by Certified Flight Instructors during flight training sessions?

Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) often encounter challenges such as adapting their teaching style to different learning speeds and personalities, ensuring student safety while allowing hands-on experience, and managing varied weather conditions that can affect lesson plans. Additionally, CFIs must remain vigilant and patient, providing clear feedback while maintaining regulatory compliance and documentation. Balancing administrative responsibilities, flight scheduling, and continuous professional development are also part of the daily routine for many instructors.

What is the 5 hour rule for CFI?

The 5-hour rule for a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) refers to the requirement that CFIs must log at least 5 hours of flight training with a student before they can endorse the student for their checkride. This ensures the instructor has sufficient supervised flight experience with the student before certification testing. The hours include ground and flight training, and the rule helps maintain safety and training standards.

How much do flying instructors get paid?

Certified flight instructors typically earn between $25,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and flight hours. Many instructors supplement their income through flight hours, student fees, or working at flight schools with varying pay structures.

What is a Certified Flight Instructor?

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a pilot who has earned additional certification to teach others how to fly aircraft. CFIs provide instruction to student pilots, help them prepare for written and practical exams, and ensure they meet the required standards for obtaining pilot licenses. They may also provide advanced training to licensed pilots who want to improve their skills or add new ratings. Becoming a CFI requires holding at least a commercial pilot certificate, passing written knowledge tests, and demonstrating instructional proficiency through practical exams.

How much can you make as a certified flight instructor?

Certified flight instructors typically earn between $25,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and flight hours. Many instructors supplement their income through flight hours for students or additional aviation-related work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Certified Flight Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Certified Flight Instructor, you need strong aeronautical knowledge, advanced piloting skills, and a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. Familiarity with flight training devices, aviation weather systems, and electronic logbook tools is essential. Exceptional communication, patience, and instructional ability help instructors effectively teach and motivate student pilots. These skills ensure safe, effective flight training and support student progress toward pilot certification.
What are popular job titles related to Certified Flight Instructor jobs in Altus, OK? For Certified Flight Instructor jobs in Altus, OK, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Altus, OK are hiring for Certified Flight Instructor jobs? Cities near Altus, OK with the most Certified Flight Instructor job openings:
Infographic showing various Certified Flight Instructor job openings in Altus, OK as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 10% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,855 per year, or $40.3 per hour.

C-17 Pilot Instructor

FlightSafety International

Altus Air Force Base, OK

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


FlightSafety International rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 226 rated education and training


Job description

About FlightSafety International

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides training for pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators and award-winning maintenance training at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom.

Position Purpose:

The Pilot Instructor is responsible for the accomplishment of ground-based training of C‑17 pilots, including instructing and measuring training progress of crewmembers who train in the established Training System (TS) curriculum.

 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

  • Conducts training using devices, such as the Weapon System Trainer (WST), the C-17 aircraft, Computer-Based Trainers (CBT), and other ground training for all C-17 TS pilots in air drop, aerial refueling/transport operating procedures, including diagnosis and remediation of student problems.
  • Maintains a high level of subject knowledge, instruction capability, and expertise.
  • Conducts briefings and debriefings and counsels all pilots and Maintenance Engine Run personnel for the purpose of developing and maintaining a high level of proficiency.
  • Performs administrative duties relative to training, such as interfacing with the user organization, record keeping, monitoring student progress, counseling, training development, and maintenance of training programs.
  • Provides inputs for courseware corrections and modifications and updates training policies and procedures.
  • Flies the WST (as required) to maintain instructional expertise.
  • Flies on the airplane (as required) in observer status to maintain currency on operational procedures and to observe student progress.

 

 Other Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Serves as C-17 Pilot Subject Matter Expert (SME) for students, other personnel, and test events, as required.
  • Serves as Flight Check Airman (FCA)(Lead), when assigned by the Employer.
  • Serves as Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Evaluator, when assigned by the Employer.
  • Accomplishes Simulator Certification (SIMCERT)/Simulator Evaluation (SIMVAL) duties when assigned by the Employer.
  • Assists in project and development work, as assigned.
  • Periodically attends Operations Group Standardization/Evaluation (Stan/Eval) Boards (SEB) and Training Review Panels (TRP), as well as Formal Training Unit (FTU) instructor meetings (when FCA is unavailable).
  • Attends Headquarters (HQ) Air Mobility Command (AMC) curriculum reviews, HQ AMC Stan/Eval Conferences, and/or Flight Manual Review Conferences (FMRC), as required (when FCA is unavailable).
  • Accomplishes Learning Center monitor duties, as assigned.
  • Accomplishes safety representative duties, as designated/assigned.
  • Accomplishes physical/cyber security representative duties, as assigned.
  • Accomplishes hazardous materials (HAZMAT) duties, as designated/assigned.
  • Travels, as required.
  • Performs other duties, as assigned.

 

Teammates are held accountable for all duties of this job.

 

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function and responsibility satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the necessary qualifications.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

  • Ability to fluently read, write, speak, and understand English.
  • Ability to clearly relay information, both verbally and written, to others.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Working knowledge of instructional principles and theories pertaining to TSs.
  • Working knowledge of personal computers and software applications, such as, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
  • Successfully accomplish annual internal standardization evaluations.
  • Possess an active SECRET Security Clearance.

 

Education and Formal Training:

Bachelor’s degree required.

 

Experience:

Eight (8) years flying experience, five (5) years of which as a C-17 pilot with air drop and aerial refueling experience, or able to obtain an AMC/A3TK waiver.  Two (2) years or 200 hours of flight instructor experience in air drop, aerial refueling, and tactics.  Recent C-17 flight simulator pilot instructor experience and CATS MECOC certification desired.

 

Materials and Equipment Directly Used:

  • C-17 WST
  • C-17 Aircraft
  • CBT Systems
  • Overhead projectors, classroom presentation equipment
  • Training Management System / Graduate Training Management Information System (GTIMS)
  • Copy Machine
  • Computer
  • Software applications, such as, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint

 

Working Environment/Physical Situation:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

 

FlightSafety is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of required compliance reviews, including verification that the candidate is not prohibited from employment under U.S. economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

This position may require access to export-controlled technology or services subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employment consideration and any offer of employment are contingent upon the applicant’s ability to comply with these requirements, including qualifying as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or otherwise eligible for export authorization within a timeframe consistent with business needs. A “U.S. Person” includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (holders of approved and unexpired green cards), and certain refugees or asylees with protected status under U.S. law.

This position may also require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance for the duration of employment.

Cybersecurity Notice: All official recruiting communication from FlightSafety International will come from an @flightsafety.com email address.  FlightSafety International will never ask for personal or financial information through social media or third-party email providers.


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