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Helicopter Flight Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Bakersfield, CA · On-site

$8.5K - $10K/mo

Desired Helicopter Flight Experience * Certified Flight Instructor with Rotorcraft-Helicopter endorsement * Night Vision Goggle Instructor endorsement * Vertical reference and external load ...

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Bakersfield, CA

$93K - $115K/yr

Desired Helicopter Flight Experience Certified Flight Instructor with Rotorcraft-Helicopter endorsement Night Vision Goggle Instructor endorsement Vertical reference and external load operations ...

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Helicopter Flight Instructor information

What are Helicopter Flight Instructors?

Helicopter Flight Instructors are licensed pilots who are qualified to teach students how to fly helicopters. They provide both ground and flight instruction, covering essential topics such as flight maneuvers, safety procedures, navigation, and emergency protocols. Their goal is to prepare students for various pilot certifications and ensure they develop the skills and knowledge necessary for safe helicopter operation. Instructors typically hold a commercial pilot's license with an additional instructor rating specific to helicopters.

What are some common challenges helicopter flight instructors face when training new pilots?

Helicopter flight instructors often encounter challenges such as adapting to varying student learning speeds and managing students’ initial anxiety or nervousness during flight. Instructors must balance maintaining safety while allowing students hands-on control, and they need to effectively communicate complex maneuvers in a way that is clear and reassuring. Additionally, instructors may work irregular hours to accommodate students’ schedules and changing weather conditions. Developing strong observation and interpersonal skills is key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring students build both competence and confidence.

What Does a Helicopter Flight Instructor Do?

As a helicopter flight instructor, your job is to teach a student how to pilot a helicopter, particularly as it relates to preparing them for the FAA flight exam. In your role as a CFI, you may guide students through ground school, help them acquire each rating necessary to proceed in their training, and help them meet experience requirements while flying training aircraft. Helicopter flight instructors often work with simulators and pilot helicopters in a variety of different weather conditions. Depending on the needs of your school, you may also teach students how to fly other types of aircraft, maintain records, or examine helicopters to determine airworthiness.

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

AspectHelicopter Flight InstructorHelicopter Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), specific helicopter ratingsCommercial Pilot Certificate, helicopter ratings
Work EnvironmentFlight schools, training environments, instructional settingsCharter services, corporate, transportation, aerial work
Job FocusTeaching and training pilots, safety instructionOperating helicopters for various missions, transportation

Helicopter Flight Instructors primarily focus on training and certifying new pilots, working in instructional environments. Helicopter Pilots operate aircraft for transportation, commercial, or aerial work. While both roles require similar certifications, instructors emphasize teaching, whereas pilots focus on flight operations.

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

To thrive as a Helicopter Flight Instructor, you need advanced piloting skills, comprehensive aviation knowledge, and a Commercial Helicopter Pilot License with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating. Familiarity with flight training software, navigation systems, and FAA regulations is essential. Strong communication, patience, and situational awareness are crucial soft skills for effective teaching and student safety. These competencies ensure that students receive thorough, safe, and high-quality training in compliance with industry standards.
What cities are hiring for Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Helicopter Flight Instructor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Helicopter Flight Instructor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.
HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR

HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR

Army National Guard Units

Fresno, CA • On-site, Remote

$106K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Army National Guard rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 65 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 50 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
This HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR position, is for use at an Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) or any Army Aviation Facility where the requirement is deemed appropriate by the AVCRAD Facility Supervisor or State Army Aviation Officer (SAAO) CA AAFA Fresno.
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Duties
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THIS IS A T32 EXCEPTED SERVICE, PERMANENT POSITION
The primary purpose of the HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR, GS-2181-13, is to be responsible for providing instruction, evaluation and examination of rated pilots, instructor pilots, and aeroscout observers in flying techniques and methods of instruction, examination, and evaluation. Instruction involves basic and advanced techniques for flying aircraft using instruments. Incumbent is also responsible to the Facility Commander or Facility Supervisor for all aspects of aviation/ground safety matters.
May make additional selections within 90 days of eligible(s) issuance.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the California National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. If you are interested in joining the California National Guard, please contact a California National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. https://ca.nationalguard.com/california
Compatible Military Assignment and Grade are required. Military technicians must be assigned to a military position in the same unit which they are employed or, in a unit that is supported by the employing activity. Military technicians must hold the military grade specified for the position.
Priority Areas(s) of Consideration:
Priority consideration is first given to the areas below.
AREA I= Current California National Guard employees who are serving on a Permanent/Indefinite/Temporary appointment.
Military Grades: WO-2 or WO-3
Recruitment/Relocation
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive IS NOT authorized.
PCS
Relocation Costs IS NOT authorized based on determination that Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is not in the Government best interest.
  • Must maintain appropriate level of security clearance.
  • May be required to successfully complete a one or two year trial period.
  • Must wear appropriate military uniform including required grooming standards.
  • Must maintain a compatible military unit, grade and job assignment as required by current directives.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

Security Clearance: at a minimum a National Agency Check is required.
Qualifications
General Experience: Must have a Federal Aviation Administration certification awarded from an accredited civilian aviation program or have an aviation certification from an accredited military aviation school.
HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR, GS-2181-13: Must have at least one year on-the-job experience in the grade (or a comparable military rank) immediately below the next higher level and have at least two years specialized competencies in operating a specific main-frame military aircraft, mission planning, and mission preparation; Experience reviewing and analyzing mission tasking, intelligence, and weather information; Experience filing flight plans and conducting crew briefings; Experience with aircraft preflight inspections, aircraft loading, and equipment assessments; Experience performing or supervising work procedures involved in navigation, in-flight refueling, search and rescue operations or surveillance and reconnaissance; Experience conducting or supervising the training of crew members in simple to complex mission specific tasks; Experience developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and advising commanders; Experience with flight theory, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, mission tactics, and operating procedures; Experience with unit flying, explosive, and ground safety programs in accordance with Department of Defense, Department of the Army, National Guard Bureau, and/or Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, regulations, and directives.
Must provide Flight Records. Failure to provide will result in automatic disqualification.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Judgement and Decision Making
  • Operation and Control
  • Safety and Security
  • Tests and Measurement

Education
Must have a Federal Aviation Administration certification awarded from an accredited civilian aviation program or have a aviation certification from an accredited military aviation school.
Must provide Flight Records. Failure to provide will result in automatic disqualification.
When there is a positive education or certification requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, copies of transcripts (unofficial) and/or certificates are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational/certification requirement or substitution. Failure to provide transcripts and/or certificates at the time of application will result in automatic disqualification.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
As a condition of employment, new appointees are required to serve a trial period. Individuals who are initially appointed to a permanent or indefinite position in the CMD must complete a one (1) or two (2) year trial period subject to appointment type (DSMT or T5) and veteran's preference. Trial periods for federal excepted service employees are established under 5 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter A-Part 11.
MILITARY MEMBERS WITH BONUSES: Upon acceptance of a military technician position military members who are currently receiving a military Reenlistment/Extension Bonus (REB) or GI Bill-SR Kicker may lose incentive eligibility and may be subject to termination or suspension of incentive (includes indefinite and temporary technicians on assignment for more than 180 days in any continuous 12-month period).
If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please email ng.ca.caarng.list.j1-hro-recruitfedjobs-usas@army.mil or Fax to 916-854-3439.
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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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About Army National Guard

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The Army National Guard, headquartered in Arlington, VA, is a key constituent of the United States military, falling under the sector of Defense and Public Safety. Since its founding in 1636, it has served dual roles as both a state and federal military force that is activated in response to domestic emergencies and overseas combat missions. The Army National Guard embodies core values, including loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage, intending to uphold peace and serve the nation with unwavering dedication.

Industry

National security and international affairs

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US