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Chief Instructor Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chief Flight Instructor

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

Chief Flight Instructor

South Bend, IN · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

Chief Flight Instructor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

In coordination with the CAEIFT-R Chief Pilot,Director ofQuality Assurance,Standardization,and the ... FAA Certificated Flight Instructor Helicopter, with Instrument HelicopterInstructorratingrequired ...

Chief Flight Instructor

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

Chief Flight Instructor

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

Chief Flight Instructor

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

Chief Flight Instructor

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

In coordination with the CAE IFT-R Chief Pilot, Director of Quality Assurance, Standardization, and the USAF, CAE Instructor Pilots will be part of a full standardization and training program for the ...

Chief Flight Instructor

South Bend, IN · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

Chief Flight Instructor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

Chief Flight Instructor

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Chief Flight Instructor : Leads the charge in ensuring our programs reflect global best practices ... Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. * Hold a current ...

In coordination with the CAE IFT-R Chief Pilot, Director of Quality Assurance, Standardization, and the USAF, CAE Instructor Pilots will be part of a full standardization and training program for the ...

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Chief Instructor Pilot information

See salary details

$33K

$163.2K

$234.5K

How much do chief instructor pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief instructor pilot in the United States is $163,193.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,000.00 and $207,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chief Instructor Pilot vs Flight Instructor?

AspectChief Instructor PilotFlight Instructor
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and often additional instructor ratingsCommercial Pilot License and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentLeads flight training programs, oversees other instructors, and ensures training standards at flight schools or airlinesProvides individual flight training to students, conducts lessons, and evaluates student progress
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, flight schools, and aviation academiesFlight schools, aviation training centers, and private flight training

The main difference between a Chief Instructor Pilot and a Flight Instructor lies in their responsibilities and leadership roles. The Chief Instructor Pilot oversees training programs and manages other instructors, while the Flight Instructor focuses on delivering flight training to students. Both roles require similar certifications, but the Chief Instructor Pilot holds additional leadership duties within the training organization.

What are Chief Instructor Pilots?

Chief Instructor Pilots are highly experienced pilots responsible for overseeing the training programs and standards for other pilots within an organization, such as a flight school, airline, or military unit. They develop and implement training curricula, ensure compliance with aviation regulations, and evaluate the performance of instructors and students. Chief Instructor Pilots also serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory authorities and are responsible for maintaining the highest levels of safety and proficiency among flight crews. Their leadership is critical in fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

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

To thrive as a Chief Instructor Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, extensive flight hours, instructor certifications, and in-depth knowledge of aviation regulations. Familiarity with flight simulators, training management systems, and current aircraft technologies is typically required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and the ability to mentor and evaluate other pilots are critical soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure rigorous safety standards, high-quality training, and operational excellence within a flight training organization.

What are some common challenges faced by a Chief Instructor Pilot, and how can they be addressed?

As a Chief Instructor Pilot, one of the main challenges is balancing administrative responsibilities with hands-on instruction and flight oversight. Managing a team of instructors, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and maintaining high training quality can be demanding. Effective delegation, clear communication, and staying updated with industry regulations are key strategies to address these challenges. Additionally, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement helps ensure both instructor and student success.
More about Chief Instructor Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Chief Instructor Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Chief Instructor Pilot job openings:
What states have the most Chief Instructor Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Chief Instructor Pilot jobs include:
Infographic showing various Chief Instructor Pilot job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $163,193 per year, or $78.5 per hour.

Chief Instructor / Flight Standardization Pilot

AAR Corporation

Fort Novosel, AL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


AAR Corp rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 63 rated aviation services


Job description

This position is pending contract award.  The anticipated start date is February 1, 2027.

Description 

The Chief Instructor / Flight Standardization Pilot serves as the senior technical authority for pilot standardization, ensuring all flight operations, training programs, and procedures meet the highest levels of safety, regulatory compliance, and operational proficiency. As the Chief Flight Standardization Pilot you will plan, organize, direct, and control all phases of flight operations. This position is responsible for both Operations and Maintenance standardization, providing unified oversight across flight, simulator, and academic environments. 

The Chief Flight Standardization Pilot must be qualified as an Instructor Pilot/Maintenance Test Pilot Course (IP/MTPC) graduate, centrally located, and readily available to coordinate with the Government Flight Representative (GFR) to ensure compliance with AR 9520 and all contract requirements. This role drives uniformity in flight execution, maintains alignment with FAA and military standards, and supports continuous improvement in pilot performance, documentation, and operational readiness. 

What You Will Be Responsible For 

  • Lead and manage all pilot standardization programs to ensure consistent application of SOPs, checklists, CRM practices, and operational procedures. 
  • Plan, organize, direct, and control all phases of flight operations, ensuring standardized execution across Ops and Maintenance activities. 
  • Serve as head of the Standardization and Evaluation Board, maintaining flight SOPs aligned with industry, FAA, and military best practices. 
  • Oversee development, publication, and control of operating manuals-including aircraftspecific manuals-ensuring accuracy and currency. 
  • Collaborate with training teams to design and deliver training programs that elevate pilot proficiency and standardization across all operational environments. 
  • Conduct pilot evaluations, check rides, and standardization assessments in academic, simulator, and aircraft settings. 
  • Ensure all flight operations comply with FAA regulations, operational specifications, organizational standards, and AR 9520 requirements. 
  • Coordinate directly with the GFR to maintain compliance with contract requirements, operational directives, and standardization expectations. 
  • Support the Aviation Safety Officer in incident reviews, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning. 
  • Partner with engineering, maintenance, support, and deployed operations teams to integrate training, documentation, and operational feedback. 
  • Maintain and update ground and flight operating procedures for internal and external use. 
  • Provide technical leadership to flight crews, instructors, and operational teams to ensure safe, standardized, and missionready operations. 
  • All other duties as assigned. 
     

What You Will Need to Be Successful in This Role 

  • Minimum 10 years of helicopter aviation experience, including support of U.S. Army or government aviation training programs.  
  • Minimum2,000 hourstotal rotorcraft time and1,000 hoursinstructor pilot time.  
  • 500  NVG/NVS experience and100 hours of instrument time. 
  • Extensive aviation experience in military or commercial operations with a strong record of technical and operational leadership. 
  • Deep knowledge of FAA regulations, Part 141 operations, and pilot standardization requirements. 
  • Demonstrated experience leading standardization programs, evaluation boards, or pilot training organizations. 
  • Strong technical proficiency in aircraft systems, flight operations, and safety management systems. 
  • Prior experience as a Chief Pilot, Flight Standardization Officer, or equivalent leadership role in a certificated operator. 
  • Instructor Pilot/Maintenance Test Pilot Course (IP/MTPC) graduate required. 
  • Proven ability to lead crossfunctional teams and influence highperformance operational culture. 
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred; Master's preferred 
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance.
    • In order to hold a secret clearance, US Citizenship is required.

The rewards of your career at AAR go far beyond just your salary: 

  • Competitive compensation. 
  • Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage. 
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match. 
  • Generous paid time off program. 
  • Professional development and career advancement opportunities. 

Physical Demands / Work Environment 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the facility. 
    The environmental characteristic for this position is an office setting. Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment. 

AAR provides accommodation in accordance with applicable laws through all stages of the hiring process. If you require accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please advise Human Resources. 

#LI-LM1 #LI-Onsite
 


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