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Flight Instructor Pilot Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Check Instructor

Mankato, MN · On-site

$44K - $50K/yr

Must hold CFI, CFI-I, and MEI and meet the pilot-in-command recent flight experience requirements ... Must be able to relate to instructors and students. Strong consideration will be given to ...

Check Instructor

Mankato, MN · On-site

$40K - $50K/yr

... meet the pilot-in-command recent flight experience requirements of FAR 61.57 • Must be able to ... instructors and students. • Strong consideration will be given to candidates with substantial ...

Actively shares flight knowledge with team members and serves as a resource to discuss transport ... Part 121/135 Instructor/Check Pilot * Commercially rating in Fixed/ Rotor Wing * ATP Certificate

Actively shares flight knowledge with team members and serves as a resource to discuss transport ... Part 121/135 Instructor/Check Pilot * Commercially rating in Fixed/ Rotor Wing * ATP Certificate

Actively shares flight knowledge with team members and serves as a resource to discuss transport ... Part 121/135 Instructor/Check Pilot * Commercially rating in Fixed/ Rotor Wing * ATP Certificate

Actively shares flight knowledge with team members and serves as a resource to discuss transport ... Part 121/135 Instructor/Check Pilot * Commercially rating in Fixed/ Rotor Wing * ATP Certificate

Schedule, monitor, and coordinate daily training events and activities of all professional flight instructors, ground instructors, check airmen, and line pilots * Coordinate adjustments and changes ...

New

Training Scheduler

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$21.96 - $30.20/hr

Schedule, monitor, and coordinate daily training events and activities of all professional flight instructors, ground instructors, check airmen, and line pilots * Coordinate adjustments and changes ...

New

Flight Instructor Pilot information

See Minnesota salary details

$38.7K

$100.9K

$168K

How much do flight instructor pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight instructor pilot in Minnesota is $100,917.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,300.00 and $123,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges flight instructor pilots face when training new students, and how can they effectively manage them?

Flight Instructor Pilots often encounter challenges such as varying student learning styles, managing student anxiety, and ensuring clear communication during flight lessons. Effectively managing these challenges involves adapting instructional techniques to each student's needs, maintaining patience, and prioritizing safety at all times. Building trust with students and providing constructive feedback are also essential to fostering a positive and productive training environment.

What is a flight instructor pilot?

Flight Instructor Pilots are experienced aviators who are certified to teach student pilots how to fly airplanes or helicopters. They provide both ground instruction, covering topics like aviation theory and safety, and in-flight training to help students develop piloting skills. Flight instructors are responsible for preparing students for written exams, practical tests, and ensuring they understand aviation regulations. Their role is crucial in helping aspiring pilots gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to earn their pilot licenses.

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

AspectFlight Instructor PilotFlight Engineer
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, sometimes an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license
Work EnvironmentFlight schools, training aircraft, small to medium aircraftCommercial aircraft, airline operations, cockpit crew
Employer & Industry UsageFlight training academies, flight schoolsAirlines, cargo carriers, large commercial flights

Flight Instructor Pilots primarily train student pilots and work in flight schools, focusing on teaching flying skills. Flight Engineers, on the other hand, are part of the cockpit crew on larger aircraft, managing systems during flights. While both roles involve aviation expertise, they differ significantly in certifications, work environment, and industry usage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flight instructor pilot?

To thrive as a Flight Instructor Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, a commercial pilot license with instructor certification (such as CFI), and thorough knowledge of aviation regulations. Familiarity with flight simulators, avionics systems, and training management software is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and situational awareness are crucial soft skills for effective teaching and ensuring student safety. These competencies enable instructors to deliver high-quality training, maintain safety standards, and prepare future pilots for real-world flying challenges.

What are popular job titles related to Flight Instructor Pilot jobs in Minnesota?

For Flight Instructor Pilot jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Flight Instructor Pilot jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Flight Instructor Pilot jobs in Minnesota are:

Infographic showing various Flight Instructor Pilot job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,917 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

$44K - $50K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Description

Purpose:

To ensure safe flight practices by maintaining training standards through stage checks and lesson observations. Check Airmen will also provide mentorship to our students in a safe and comfortable environment and work together with instructors to overcome challenges in the learning process. Our Check Airmen work to ensure compliance with applicable Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures, Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and North Star Aviation policy in respect to training students and conducting stage checks. 


Tasks:

Ensure safety of flight

Conduct stage checks in a professional manner and uphold the standards of North Star Aviation's Training Course Outlines.

Provide thorough, productive, and constructive debriefs to students and their instructors after completion of a stage check event.

Prescribe re-training requirements following Unsatisfactory Stage Check events.

Observe flight and ground lessons conducted by other flight instructors when stage checks cancel.

Help improve quality of training by noting trends and raising awareness of items to be worked on with Flight Instructors.

Attend meetings as scheduled by the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor (Standards).

Be an ambassador to safety by following applicable FOM procedures, file reports using the current safety reporting system, attend periodic safety meetings, and maintain a general safety mindset.

Ensure student records are kept in an orderly and accurate manner. 

Periodically audit all records pertaining to students in their care and correct any errors while following applicable NSA procedures. 

Work in conjunction with assigned scheduler to ensure adequate student progress towards applicable flight lab completion deadlines.  Student progress is a shared responsibility. Schedulers ensure "quantity" of lessons, and Flight Instructors ensure "quality" of lessons.


EEO/AAP/Drug Free Workplace

Requirements

  1. Physical Demands:
  • Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling.
  • Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. routinely and up to 100 lbs. occasionally
  • Frequent work in small places, extreme temperatures, heights above six feet and noisy environments.

Education & Experience:

Must hold CFI, CFI-I, and MEI and meet the pilot-in-command recent flight experience requirements of FAR 61.57

Must be able to comply with the NSA Flight Operations Manual and FAR 141.37.

Possesses unblemished flight record

Having signed off at least one student in each TCO is preferred, but not required.

Must have evaluation and debrief skills.

Must be able to relate to instructors and students.

Strong consideration will be given to candidates with substantial dual given hours and a high number of students instructed in Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Instructor Part 61 and 141 TCOs, with particular emphasis on their pass rates.

Additional experience relevant to performing the duties of a check airman will be highly valued.