Flight Instructor Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Flight Instructor

Best Schools to become a Flight Instructor in U.S. 2024

Utah Valley University

Orem, UT

In-State Tuition:$5,614
Out-of-State Tuition:$17,174
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:39%
Total Enrollment:43,099

International Air and Hospitality Academy

Vancouver, WA

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:133

L3Harris Flight Academy

Sanford, FL

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:N/A

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

In-State Tuition:$9,718
Out-of-State Tuition:$28,520
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:83%
Total Enrollment:51,528

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, NC

In-State Tuition:$2,128
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,504
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:28%
Total Enrollment:10,067

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, TX

In-State Tuition:$3,402
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,235
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:21%
Total Enrollment:40,131
Flight Instructor Job Description:
  • Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
  • Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used.
  • Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Flight Instructor

Job Duties for Flight Instructors

  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.

  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.

  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.

Technologies and Skills Used by Flight Instructors

Data base user interface and query software

  • Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC
  • CoPilot Flight Planning & E6B

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Flight Instructor

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Flight Instructor

FAQs About Becoming a Flight Instructor