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Chief Instructor Pilot Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

City of Gresham, OR

Entry Level Police Officer

Gresham, OR · On-site

$84K - $108K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... instructor assignments, and advanced certification pay. Benefits include: * Paid vacation: 21.33 ... K-9 * sUAS Pilots and DFR (drone as first responder) * Explosive Detection Unit (EDU) * Rapid ...

City of Gresham

Lateral Police Officer

Gresham, OR

$84K - $108K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SWAT Crisis Negotiation K-9 sUAS Pilots and DFR (drone as first responder) Explosive Detection Unit ... chief) Work-life balance While on the job, our police officers are dedicated, hard-working ...

City of Gresham, OR

Lateral Police Officer

Gresham, OR · On-site

$84K - $108K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... instructor assignments, and advanced certification pay. Benefits include: * Paid vacation: From 21 ... K-9 * sUAS Pilots and DFR (drone as first responder) * Explosive Detection Unit (EDU) * Rapid ...

All JobsChief Instructor Pilot JobsChief Instructor Pilot Jobs in Portland, OR

Chief Instructor Pilot information

See Portland, OR salary details

$35K

$173.1K

$248.7K

How much do chief instructor pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief instructor pilot in Portland, OR is $173,067.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,400.00 and $219,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief instructor pilot?

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?

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.

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 popular job titles related to Chief Instructor Pilot jobs in Portland, OR?

For Chief Instructor Pilot jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Chief Instructor Pilot jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Chief Instructor Pilot jobs in Portland, OR are:

Chief Instructor Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Instructor Pilot job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 53% Full Time, 42% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $173,067 per year, or $83.2 per hour.

Aircraft Flight Instructor

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Portland, OR

$138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

U.S. Department Of Energy rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

142nd of 846 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in the BPA Aircraft Services (TAA) organization of Transmission Chief of Staff (TA), Transmission Services (T).
We are seeking an expert Lead Flight Instructor for Bell 407 helicopters and drones. You will train and evaluate our pilots and instructors, develop advanced flight manuals and safety procedures, and lead critical missions in challenging environments to support the Northwest's power grid.Qualifications:

In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirements for positions in the 2181 series, you must also meet a selective placement factor (screen-out); both requirements will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
You MUST provide a copy of your current ATP or helicopter commercial certificate with appropriate endorsement, medical certificate and sufficient documentation (e.g., copy of Log Book) to show proof you meet the requirements stated below. Failure to provide supporting documentation by the closing date may result in disqualification; your application will be marked incomplete.
The individual occupational requirements and selective placement factor for this position are as follows:

  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Helicopter certificate or Commercial pilot license with rotorcraft helicopter ratings and/or appropriate military rating.
  • FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating.
Minimum Flight Hour Requirements:
  1. 1500 Total Flight Hours (as pilot-in-command or copilot in an aircraft of any weight or category (1,125 for eligible current federal employees)
  2. 250 helicopter flight hours as Pilot-in-Command.
  3. 75 Night Flying (25 hours may be waived for eligible current federal employees)
  4. 100 Flying Time in the Last 12 Months (50 hrs for eligible current federal employees)
  5. 500 Helicopter Instructor Hours
Other requirements for Helicopter:
  • Possess and maintain an FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate
  • Pilot Certificate must state "English Proficient".
  • FAA External-Load Operator Certificate (Class B)
  • FAA External-Load Operator Certificate (Class C)
  • Must complete training for and obtain a FAA Remote Pilot Certificate within six months of appointment.
  • This position is subject to initial and random drug and alcohol testing.

Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Employment Type: OTHER

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