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Lead Flight Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Direct, coordinate and lead all activity for the aircrew during simulator training sessions ... Instructor * Minimum of 2000 hours of flight time as a C-130/L-382 Flight Engineer * Previous ...

C-130 L-382 Instructor Flight Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$59K - $67K/yr

Direct, coordinate and lead all activity for the aircrew during simulator training sessions ... Instructor * Minimum of 2000 hours of flight time as a C-130/L-382 Flight Engineer * Previous ...

... Flight Instructor Course or equivalent Experience supporting operational planning, training, or mission execution within a bomber platform Experience working within squadron, group, or wing-level ...

The Bomber Operational Lead supports the integration of B-21 Raider operations between the host ... Graduate of a USAF Flight Instructor Course or equivalent * Experience supporting operational ...

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Lead Flight Instructor information

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$7

$23

$52

How much do lead flight instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead flight instructor in the United States is $23.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $27.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Lead Flight Instructor, you need advanced piloting skills, an instructor certification (such as CFI or ATP), and substantial flight experience. Familiarity with flight simulators, aviation training software, and FAA regulations is essential, along with maintaining current certifications. Leadership, clear communication, and mentoring abilities distinguish outstanding instructors, enabling them to guide both students and junior instructors. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure safety, uphold training standards, and foster a productive learning environment in aviation.

What are the typical challenges a Lead Flight Instructor faces when managing a team of instructors?

As a Lead Flight Instructor, one common challenge is balancing administrative responsibilities with active flight training duties. You are often responsible for mentoring less experienced instructors, standardizing training methods, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Managing scheduling conflicts and adapting to varying student learning styles are also frequent hurdles. Building strong communication and leadership skills is essential to foster a supportive environment and maintain high training quality across the team.

What is the difference between Lead Flight Instructor vs Flight Instructor?

AspectLead Flight InstructorFlight Instructor
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and often additional endorsementsPrivate Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentLeading training sessions, overseeing other instructors, managing training programsConducting individual flight lessons, student training, and basic instruction
ResponsibilitiesSupervising instructors, curriculum development, ensuring safety standardsTeaching students, conducting flight lessons, evaluating student progress

The main difference is that a Lead Flight Instructor has additional leadership responsibilities, oversees other instructors, and often manages training programs, while a Flight Instructor primarily focuses on delivering flight training to students. Both roles require similar certifications, but the Lead Flight Instructor's role includes supervisory duties and program oversight.

What are Lead Flight Instructors?

Lead Flight Instructors are experienced pilots who oversee flight training programs and mentor other instructors and student pilots. They are responsible for maintaining training standards, developing curriculum, conducting check rides, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. In addition to providing direct flight instruction, they often manage scheduling, evaluate instructor performance, and help implement regulatory compliance. Their leadership helps ensure the quality and effectiveness of the flight training organization.
More about Lead Flight Instructor jobs
What cities are hiring for Lead Flight Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Lead Flight Instructor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Lead Flight Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Lead Flight Instructor jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Lead Flight Instructor jobs? The top employers for Lead Flight Instructor jobs are:
Infographic showing various Lead Flight Instructor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 28% Full Time, 70% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,834 per year, or $23.5 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


FlightSafety International rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 193 rated education and training


Job description

About FlightSafety International
FlightSafety International is the world's premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides training for pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world's largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators and award-winning maintenance training at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom.
Pilot Instructor
Position Purpose:
The Pilot Instructor is responsible for the accomplishment of ground-based training of C17 pilots, including instructing and measuring training progress of crewmembers who train in the established Training System (TS) curriculum.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
  • Conducts training using devices, such as the Weapon System Trainer (WST), the C-17 aircraft, Computer-Based Trainers (CBT), and other ground training for all C-17 TS pilots in air drop, aerial refueling/transport operating procedures, including diagnosis and remediation of student problems.
  • Maintains a high level of subject knowledge, instruction capability, and expertise.
  • Conducts briefings and debriefings and counsels all pilots and Maintenance Engine Run personnel for the purpose of developing and maintaining a high level of proficiency.
  • Performs administrative duties relative to training, such as interfacing with the user organization, record keeping, monitoring student progress, counseling, training development, and maintenance of training programs.
  • Provides inputs for courseware corrections and modifications and updates training policies and procedures.
  • Flies the WST (as required) to maintain instructional expertise.
  • Flies on the airplane (as required) in observer status to maintain currency on operational procedures and to observe student progress.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Serves as C-17 Pilot Subject Matter Expert (SME) for students, other personnel, and test events, as required.
  • Serves as Flight Check Airman (FCA)(Lead), when assigned by the Employer.
  • Serves as Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Evaluator, when assigned by the Employer.
  • Accomplishes Simulator Certification (SIMCERT)/Simulator Evaluation (SIMVAL) duties when assigned by the Employer.
  • Assists in project and development work, as assigned.
  • Periodically attends Operations Group Standardization/Evaluation (Stan/Eval) Boards (SEB) and Training Review Panels (TRP), as well as Formal Training Unit (FTU) instructor meetings (when FCA is unavailable).
  • Attends Headquarters (HQ) Air Mobility Command (AMC) curriculum reviews, HQ AMC Stan/Eval Conferences, and/or Flight Manual Review Conferences (FMRC), as required (when FCA is unavailable).
  • Accomplishes Learning Center monitor duties, as assigned.
  • Accomplishes safety representative duties, as designated/assigned.
  • Accomplishes physical/cyber security representative duties, as assigned.
  • Accomplishes hazardous materials (HAZMAT) duties, as designated/assigned.
  • Travels, as required.
  • Performs other duties, as assigned.

Teammates are held accountable for all duties of this job.
Supervisory Duties: N/A
Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function and responsibility satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the necessary qualifications.
Knowledge, Skills and Ability:
  • Ability to fluently read, write, speak, and understand English.
  • Ability to clearly relay information, both verbally and written, to others.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Working knowledge of instructional principles and theories pertaining to TSs.
  • Working knowledge of personal computers and software applications, such as, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
  • Successfully accomplish annual internal standardization evaluations.
  • Possess an active SECRET Security Clearance.

Education and Formal Training:
Bachelor's degree required.
Experience:
Eight (8) years flying experience, five (5) years of which as a C-17 pilot with air drop and aerial refueling experience, or able to obtain an AMC/A3TK waiver. Two (2) years or 200 hours of flight instructor experience in air drop, aerial refueling, and tactics. Recent C-17 flight simulator pilot instructor experience and CATS MECOC certification desired.
Materials and Equipment Directly Used:
  • C-17 WST
  • C-17 Aircraft
  • CBT Systems
  • Overhead projectors, classroom presentation equipment
  • Training Management System / Graduate Training Management Information System (GTIMS)
  • Copy Machine
  • Computer
  • Software applications, such as, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint

Working Environment/Physical Situation: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the teammate is regularly required to talk or hear; to sit, stand or walk; and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls. The teammate is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; and stoop or kneel. The teammate is frequently required to ingress/egress from the simulator and aircraft, work in inclement weather and temperature extremes as set forth in the Air Force and company guidelines. The teammate must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 35 pounds. Noise levels range from quiet to extremely loud. The teammate must be able to exit the WST by way of escape ladder down to the floor.
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
FlightSafety is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the U.S. export regulations including but not limited to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations. For roles subject to these regulations, applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person, or FlightSafety must be granted the appropriate authorization from the governing agencies whose technology and information comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires the approval of an export license will be conditional on FlightSafety International's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a timeframe consistent with our business requirements. A "U.S. Person" according to the applicable definitions is a U.S. Citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee.
Some positions will require the successful applicant be eligible to obtain a Security Clearance, which may require U.S. Citizenship.
Cybersecurity Notice: All official recruiting communication from FlightSafety International will come from an @flightsafety.com email address. FlightSafety International will never ask for personal or financial information through social media or third-party email providers.