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Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor information

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$37.5K

$61.5K

$106.5K

How much do freelance aviation ground instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance aviation ground instructor in the United States is $61,549.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $64,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance aviation ground instructor?

A Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor is a certified professional who teaches aspiring pilots the theoretical knowledge required for aviation, such as air regulations, navigation, meteorology, and flight principles. Unlike instructors employed by a specific flight school, freelance instructors work independently, often contracting with multiple schools or individual students. They prepare students for written exams and may customize training to fit unique schedules or needs. This flexibility allows freelance instructors to reach a wider range of students and often requires strong organizational and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance aviation ground instructor?

To thrive as a Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor, you need in-depth aviation knowledge, instructional experience, and typically a valid ground instructor certificate (such as AGI or IGI from the FAA). Familiarity with flight training software, learning management systems, and regulatory resources like the FAR/AIM is essential. Strong communication, adaptability, and organizational skills help you effectively convey complex concepts and tailor lessons to diverse student needs. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and successful student outcomes in aviation training.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance aviation ground instructors, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance Aviation Ground Instructors often face challenges such as inconsistent scheduling, variable student preparedness, and staying current with changing aviation regulations. To address these, it's important to maintain flexible availability, develop adaptable lesson plans that cater to diverse student backgrounds, and regularly participate in professional development opportunities. Networking with local flight schools and aviation organizations can also help secure a steady flow of students and keep instructional skills sharp.

What is the difference between Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor vs Flight Instructor?

AspectFreelance Aviation Ground InstructorFlight Instructor
CertificationsGround Instructor Certificate, possibly additional ratingsCertified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate
Work EnvironmentClassroom, simulator, online, or on-site ground trainingAircraft, flight schools, or training centers
Employer & Industry UsageIndependent, contract-based, or part-time ground training providersFlight schools, airlines, or private training

Freelance Aviation Ground Instructors primarily focus on ground-based training, including classroom and simulator instruction, requiring ground instructor certifications. Flight Instructors, on the other hand, teach students to fly aircraft and hold a flight instructor certification. Both roles are essential in aviation training but differ in their work environment and certification requirements.

Are freelance aviation ground instructors in high demand?

Freelance aviation ground instructors are in moderate demand, especially as flight schools and training organizations seek flexible, experienced professionals to provide ground instruction and safety training. Demand can vary based on industry growth, regional aviation activity, and certification requirements such as FAA or equivalent standards.

How much do freelance aviation ground instructors make?

Freelance aviation ground instructors typically earn between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the training provided. Rates can vary based on certifications held and the type of aircraft or ground school they teach for, with some instructors earning higher fees for specialized or advanced instruction.
More about Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor jobs

What cities are hiring for Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Aviation Ground Instructor jobs?

The most popular types of Aviation Ground Instructor jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor jobs are:

Infographic showing various Freelance Aviation Ground Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,549 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

$56K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Federal Aviation Administration rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 154 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 297 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
Incumbent is an Aviation Safety Assistant (Office Automation) (OA) in the Oakland, CA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Provides administrative, semi-technical, and clerical related support to the supervisor, or manager, Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs), and Administrative Officer.
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Duties
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Technical Program Support
  • Processes FAA issued airman certificates such as ground instructor, flight instructor, mechanic, repairman, and flight engineer.
  • Interviews applicants to determine qualifications for non-complex certificates.
  • Processes FAA authorizations such as inspection authorization, aircrew program designee, and aerobatic competency.
  • Processes FAA issued operator and air agency certificates such as air carrier, repair stations, and approved schools.
  • Examines applications and supporting documents for completeness, consistency of information, and assures correctness, if required.
  • Responsible for processing temporary airman certification files for certificates issued by designated examiners.
  • Examines applications and supporting documents for completeness, consistency of information, and fulfillment of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) requirements.
  • Supports the Designated Written Test Examiner (DWTE) program by providing orientation and training of new examiners, providing required annual and periodic training as necessary.
  • Conducts FAA written examinations by assembling and distributing test materials, and following up to ensure corrective action is taken if necessary.

Correspondence and Reports
  • Researches, writes, and types non-technical and routine technical correspondence.
  • Responsible for maintaining correspondence control and suspense files.
  • Reviews outgoing correspondence for grammatical accuracy, procedural agreement, aircraft technical manuals and factual inconsistencies, attachments, enclosures, dates, and signatures.

General Office Support
  • Responsible for assigned administrative and technical files such as certificated operator and designee case files in accordance with agency directives.
  • Determines need for new files, initiates action to create files, prepares file folders, dividers, and labels.
  • Maintains administrative/technical library with includes orders, notices, Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), Master Minimum Equipment Lists (MMELs), aircraft technical manuals and advisory circulars, etc.
  • Assures that charts and office logs are kept current.
  • Coordinates organization's schedule with regard to inspectors schedules, flight checks, exams, itineraries and coordinates supervisor's appointment schedule.
  • Prepares time and attendance forms for organization personnel, maintain supporting documentation, and submit to appropriate payroll office.

Communication
  • Receives incoming telephone calls, answers inquiries, and directs incoming calls appropriately. Interacts with the public and other FAA offices.
  • Assists visitors, determines needs and provides information or refers as appropriate.

Automation Program Support
  • Assembles and enters information into various automated programs (such as Operations Specifications Subsystems (OPSS), Vital Information Subsystem (VIS), and Enforcement Information System (EIS)) and retrieves, prints, and reviews output.
  • Retrieves data concerning airmen records, certificates, violation histories and aircraft registrations for National Data Base (NDB) and EIS database systems.
  • Generates reports such as inspector planned activity, quarterly work program accomplishment report, quarterly NPG report, and inspector open items.

Administrative Program Support
  • Surveys organization to which assigned in order to ensure adherence to administrative procedures that are outlined in agency directives.
  • Examines current procedures and practices and recommends or implements changes.
  • Instructs organization personnel (including new employees) on proper administrative procedures.

Fiscal Program Support
  • Manages cuff records in REGIS or equivalent management system providing tracking and validation support of funds for employee travel.

Duties listed above are at the FG-7 level.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • This is a bargaining unit position.
  • If the agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.
  • Position is designated as Low Risk; Background investigation may be required.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position at the FG- 6 level:
To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG-5 or FV-D (FG-5/6) level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Specialized experience is:
  • Performing administrative and clerical tasks, including researching, writing, and typing non-technical and routine correspondence
  • Reviewing and distributing incoming correspondence and maintaining files
  • Providing general office support and preparing reports
  • Entering and retrieving information from various automated systems

To qualify for this position at the FG-7 level:
To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG-6 or FV-D (FG-5/6) level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Specialized experience is:
  • Performing technical administrative work, including preparing complex reports and writing technical and non-technical correspondence
  • Assisting in interpreting and implementing newly modified directives and determining necessary actions
  • Managing records and providing tracking and validation support for of funds for employee travel
  • Researching technical data and reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting complex information and directives

Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully.
Errors or omissions may impact rating or may result in not being considered for the job.
Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
This position may be filled at the FG-6 or FG-7.
Identification of promotion in the vacancy announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon the selectee meeting training, qualification requirements, and recommendation by the supervisor.
Education
Education is not qualifying for this position.
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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
Additional information
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
Current or Former Federal employee (including a current FAA employee): You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2). Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative, the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA in your work history, please include WORK HISTORY THAT DESCRIBES HOW YOU MEET THE ANSWER YOU CHOSE FOR EACH KSA.
Low Risk (1): This position requires completion & favorable adjudication of a Low-Risk Background Investigation (Tier 1) background investigation prior to appointment, unless waiver is obtained.
This is a bargaining unit position, represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (www.passnational.org).
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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