1

Helicopter Flight Instructor Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

$131K/yr

The qualifications of Airplane/Helicopter Pilots or Airplane/Helicopter Flight Instructors in an Air Force active duty and Reserve force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite ...

New

$131K/yr

The qualifications of Airplane/Helicopter Pilots or Airplane/Helicopter Flight Instructors in an Air Force active duty and Reserve force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite ...

New

$131K/yr

The qualifications of Airplane/Helicopter Pilots or Airplane/Helicopter Flight Instructors in an Air Force active duty and Reserve force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite ...

New

$76K/yr

GS-2181-12 (Airplane Pilot/Helicopter Pilot): Applicant must possess a USAF Pilot rating, hold a ... GS-2181-13 (Flight Instructor): Applicant must possess two years of progressively responsible ...

$76K/yr

GS-2181-12 (Airplane Pilot/Helicopter Pilot): Applicant must possess a USAF Pilot rating, hold a ... GS-2181-13 (Flight Instructor): Applicant must possess two years of progressively responsible ...

Learjet PIC

Scottsdale, AZ · On-site

$115K - $206K/yr

Part 135 experience or Flight Instructor experience preferred but not required. * Learjet or similar aircraft experience. * Ability to plan flight assignments and obtain briefing information ...

Helicopter Flight Instructor information

See Arizona salary details

$10

$33

$51

How much do helicopter flight instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for helicopter flight instructor in Arizona is $33.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.40 and $43.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a helicopter flight instructor?

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 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 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 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 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.

How much do helicopter flight instructors make?

Helicopter flight instructors typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the type of employer. Instructors with advanced certifications and more flight hours can earn higher wages, especially when working for commercial flight schools or private operators.

What are the most commonly searched types of Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs in Arizona?

The most popular types of Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs in Arizona are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Helicopter Flight Instructor jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Helicopter Flight Instructor job openings:

Infographic showing various Helicopter Flight Instructor job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $69,046 per year, or $33.2 per hour.

HELICOPTER PILOT with Security Clearance

Department of Defense

Tucson, AZ • On-site

$77K - $96K/yr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 539 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Duties DUTIES * Accomplishes a variety of administrative duties related to flight instruction and mission accomplishments such as scheduling, squadron operations management, combat mission planning, and training. * Analyzes and interprets unit goals, mission, metrics, policies and objectives. Ensure that the unit meets or exceeds readiness requirements and is capable of supporting upgraded/modified/new aircraft as indicated, recommending new or changed programs to maintain wartime capability. * Performs pilot and pilot in command duties in assigned aircraft and provides a full range of ground and airborne flight instruction to Reservist, instructors, flight examiners, and assigned personnel in unit type aircraft. * Reviews mission tasking, intelligence, and weather information. Performs mission planning, preparation and filing of flight plan, and crew briefing. * Pilot's aircraft and commands crew, operates aircraft controls and equipment. Performs or directs navigation, in-flight refueling and weapons delivery. Requirements Conditions of employment * U.S. Citizenship is required * Must be a current member of the AF Reserves or willing/qualified to join * The incumbent must obtain and retain the appropriate security clearance level designated for the position, Top Secret. * If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/ * Total salary varies depending on location of position * This posn is subject to provision of the DoD Priority Placement Program * Must sign a mobility agreement * This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The employee is subject to random drug testing. * Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays * Shift work and emergency overtime may be required * Employee must maintain current certifications * Disclosure of Political Appointments * Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit * Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof of superior qualifications are provided on your resume. * Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position * Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position * Leave accrual may be authorized upon request * Position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position. * The request for advance recruitment may be offered Qualifications THIS IS AN AIR RESERVE TECHNICIAN OFFICER POSITION. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer position located at 943 RESCUE GP with the military rank of LT COL/O-5, AFSC: 011H3E. For questions concerning military eligibility please contact the Air Force Reserve Qualification Center at 1-800-257-1212. SPECIAL EXPERIENCE: No specific length of experience required. The qualifications of Airplane/Helicopter Pilots or Airplane/Helicopter Flight Instructors in an Air Force active duty and Reserve force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite training and number of flying hours rather than years of experience. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. GS-13: Must have been awarded or qualify for a USAF Pilot rating and hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order. Minimum of 1,000 Total Military Flight Time in MDS. Must be instructor qualified in unit aircraft. (Note: For position requiring the piloting of fighter jet aircraft (e.g., F-16, A-10, F-15, F-22), each hours as First Pilot and/or Instructor Pilot in a fighter jet aircraft may be counted as two hours of flying time when determining total hours of pilot time or primary and/or instructor pilot time. Training aircraft (T-37/T-38) should be considered when giving double credit but only for those hours in which candidates logged either instructor/evaluator pilot or primary pilot time. Flying hours logged as a student pilot will be credited one-for-one when calculating total time.) NOTE: You must submit an AFTAR 209 or any official flying hour report and any official document that shows date received aviation service aeronautical order. Please upload your documents in the supporting documents section under Other. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGBILE RATING. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: * Knowledge of and skill in the application of rated aviator expertise as a pilot. * Knowledge of and ability to formulate plans and courses pertaining to flying operations and unit flying training activities. * Knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, and techniques for employment of unit-assigned aircraft. * Knowledge of flying operations and the unit mission. Knowledge of the relationship of the various Air Force Reserve entities, other MAJCOMs and Air Force in overall planning and execution of military operations and evaluations. * Ability to resolve complex issues and maintain good working relations. * Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Other significant facts pertaining to this position are: * This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) officer position. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow the incumbent to fully participate in unit training assemblies. The incumbent's regular assignments are primarily ART duties; however, the incumbent may also be assigned non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities. * This is an AFRC key management position, in which, the incumbent is required to formulate, determine, and/or influence policies. Must be highly knowledgeable of the AFRC mission and responsibilities. As a designated key position, the term "key" as it is used here relates to the ART program that defines the position as critical to mobilization capability (i.e., formulates, determines or influences policies of the unit to which assigned), and has no relationship to the term "key" as defined in AFI 36-507. * This position is designated as a mobility position. Incumbent must be willing to move/transfer to another unit/location on a lateral or promotion basis as directed by HQ AFRC. AFRC command-wide geographic mobility is a condition of employment for all ART Officer positions. The employee must sign a mobility agreement. * The incumbent must possess demonstrated leadership and managerial abilities essential to successful accomplishment of responsibilities inherent in this position. * The incumbent must obtain and retain the appropriate security clearance level designated for the position, Top Secret. * This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The employee is subject to random drug testing. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing and participation in random drug testing as a condition of employment. Drug Test requirement was modified with AFI 90-508, Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program, 28 August 2014; Certified Current 18 December 2015 which supersedes AFI 44-107, 7 April 2010. Positions covered by this SPD must be reviewed for proper "Testing Designated Position (TDP)" coding to comply with the AF Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program (AFI 90-508). Drug testing is a condition of employment. * This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position. * Aircrew and management duties include stress (both mental and physical), exposures to extreme hot and cold temperatures, gravity forces three in non-fighters and seven in fighters, and short notification for accomplishment of immediate action items directed by unit supervisors/higher headquarters that must be completed before the duty day ends. * Periodically, as prescribed by regulations, must take and pass standardization/evaluation examinations which consist both of written tests and actual flight performance to demonstrate flight knowledge and abilities required of the position. * The incumbent of the position must become instructor qualified within two years from the date of appointment to the position. This is a condition of employment. * The incumbent may be required to fly in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments (TDY) away from the normal duty station. * The incumbent may be required to work overtime to meet workload demands. * Performs other duties as assigned. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: RETIR

What U.S. Department Of Defense employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom