"Chief Flight Instructor"

Chief Flight Instructor

Company:
Fairmont State University

Job Location:
Fairmont

Category:
Aviation

Type:
Full-Time

Type of Position: Staff - Full Time

Department: Dept of Aviation

Appointment Length: July - June (12 mo)

Benefits Eligible?: Yes

Requested Part-Time Staff Hours: NA

F.T.E.: 1.00

Grant Funded Position?: No

Description of Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) ensures compliance with 14 CFR Part 141.35 for Part 61 and 141 operations. This role oversees all flight and ground training programs, including Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, Multi-Engine, and Rotorcraft-Helicopter instruction. The CFI must maintain certification and proficiency across all instructional areas offered by the University. Reporting to the Department Chair, the CFI collaborates closely with the Assistant Chief (if applicable), Director of the Aviation Center of Excellence (ACE), Program Manager, and Program Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure ACE meets FAA certification and operational requirements through policy development, process coordination, and internal audits.
• Oversee student recruitment and selection for the professional flight program in collaboration with the Chief Flight Instructor and staff.
• Direct and conduct all simulator and flight training events to meet syllabus, currency, and proficiency requirements for students and staff.
• Manage daily flight schedules to ensure operational efficiency.
• Maintain training standards and procedures in compliance with FAA/FSDO requirements.
• Oversee after-hours flight operations and overdue aircraft procedures.
• Ensure FAA-compliant flight and ground instruction and certification for all students and staff.
• Collaborate with leadership to facilitate Part 61 and 141 training per FAA regulations.
• Conduct staff checkout flights and currency evaluations.
• Develop flight schedules, assigning aircraft, students, and instructors.
• Certify and endorse student flight training records in accordance with inspection criteria.
• Standardize and maintain student records to meet Part 141 requirements.
• Perform quality assurance reviews of instructor records and monitor for updates and expirations.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and termination processes for flight instructors and staff.
• Assist with resource management, including scheduling student workers and coordinating with maintenance and dispatch teams.
• Remain available during all flight operations, either on-site or remotely.
• Oversee student recruitment and selection for the professional flight program in collaboration with the Chair of the Department of Aviation.
• Oversee resource allocation, fleet management, and equipment procurement to align aviation activities with university goals.

Additional Duties

• Support development and administration of the University's Aviation Safety Program.
• Maintain office hours for students and instructional staff.
• Attend and conduct meetings; substitute for instructors in FAA-approved ground schools as needed.
• Oversee simulator training at the appropriate qualification level.
• Assign additional responsibilities to flight instructors as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Department Chair.

Minimum Required Education

• Bachelor's degree and a Certified Flight Instructor certificate as issued by the FAA

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate meeting FAA Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) and Pilot-In-Command (PIC) requirements to serve in a CFI capacity for a Part 141 program (identified in 14 CFR Part 141.35). Additional aircraft certifications, flight hours, and/or experience in instructional flight operations may be considered in lieu of academic degree. Equivalent military experience may be considered.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• CFI = Certified Flight Instructor.
• 3 years flight instruction experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• 5 years flight instruction experience as Chief Flight Instructor or Assistant Chief Flight Instructor in a collegiate setting, or equivalent military experience.

Requisition Number: 2026059SP

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Hire Date: ASAP

Job Close Date: 02/27/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Quicklink for Posting: https://www.fairmontstatejobs.com/postings/10243

Apply Now