Part 141 Chief Flight Instructor

Thunderbird Aviation seeks applicants for a Chief Flight Instructor. The Chief Flight Instructor provides leadership and oversight for flight training. This is a full-time position. The Chief Flight Instructor will assist management with all compliance requirements of the FAR Part 141 standards and managing agreements with local facilities with the overarching goal to increase student enrollment and completion of all pilot programs.

Position Duties:

• Maintain all FAA requirements of a Chief Flight Instructor.
• Monitor compliance with local, state and federal regulations, accreditation standards, and audits.
• Manage all programs ensuring that all Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 141 standards are met.
• Maintain oversite of all Part 61 flight instruction.
• Point of Contact for all FAA correspondence.
• Certify student training records, graduation certificates, stage check and end-of-course test reports, and recommendation for course completion, unless the duties are delegated by the chief flight instructor to an assistant chief instructor or recommending instructor.
• Ensure that each certificated flight instructor or certificated ground instructor passes an initial proficiency check prior to that instructor being assigned instructing duties in the approved training course, and thereafter that the instructor passes a recurrent proficiency check every 12 calendar months after the month in which the initial test was accomplished.
• Ensure Assistant Chief Flight Instructors are current and qualified.
• Completion of Flight Instructor meetings on a quarterly basis.
• Ensure that each student accomplishes the required stage checks and end-of-course tests in accordance with the approved training course.
• Maintain training techniques, procedures, and standards for Thunderbird Aviation that are acceptable to the Management.
• Supervise full-time and part-time staff to include approving schedules and assignment of duties.
• Recruit, screen, interview, and evaluate Flight Instructors for both part-time and full-time
  positions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of aviation instructors through observation, review of training records, and formal as well as informal evaluations.
• Monitor the progress of student flight training to ensure safety and to increase enrollment and completion rates.
• Conduct flight instruction.
• Primary check pilot for all End of Course (EOC) stage flights
• Assist with student registration and advisement and participates in recruitment events.
• Work with Management and faculty to develop appropriate course schedules.
• Prepare reports regarding student retention, status of flight accounts, and student progress to ensure program responsiveness.
• Establish and maintain a positive, effective working relationship with students and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation or aviation related field.
• At least three (3) years of relevant aviation experience (corporate, air carrier, flight training, military aviation, etc.).
• Hold all licenses required to be designated as Chief Instructor in accordance with 14 CFR 141.35(a) through 14 CFR 141.35(c) (MEI and ATP – Preferred).
• Knowledge and understanding of FAR Part 141 and 61 requirements and flight school operations.
• Minimum of 250 hours instructing in multi-engine aircraft strongly preferred.
• Possess excellent organizational and decision-making skills.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in daily duties.
• Ability to read and clearly interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedures.
• Ability to work with regulators, respond to requests in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required.
• Ability to work in a multi-faceted environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that will include evening and weekend assignments.