Lead Flight Instructor

Vantage Aviation•Duluth, MN

1d•$30 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Flight Instructor is a senior, working Certified Flight Instructor at Vantage Aviation’s DLH location. The role primarily delivers flight and ground instruction while promoting instructional standardization among instructors at that location. The Lead Flight Instructor maintains an active roster of students, provides guidance to other instructors on training delivery, student progress, and instructional best practices, and completes limited coordination tasks under procedures set and approved by Vantage’s Chief Flight Instructor. Reporting to and working under the direction of the Chief Flight Instructor, who oversees all Vantage Flight School locations, the Lead Flight Instructor helps maintain high standards of training, safety, and customer service at DLH. The role provides input on instructor and aircraft schedule conflicts and has no responsibilities at other Vantage locations. Scheduled aircraft maintenance requires advance review and approval by the Chief Flight Instructor, who retains authority over maintenance and leaseback decisions. The position is part-time, non-exempt, and in person in an active airport and flight-training environment. The anticipated coordination time is approximately 20 to 30 hours per month, up to 40 hours per month when needed, in addition to flight instruction time. Hours worked—including flight instruction, ground instruction, and administrative and coordination time—must be recorded in the company timekeeping system. The role requires flexible hours, including weekends based on training schedules, and minimal travel. It is not eligible for company benefits other than those required by law, such as Minnesota earned sick and safe time.

Requirements

Current and active Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
At least 150 hours of flight instruction in the last year.
Current FAA Third-Class Medical certification, as required to lawfully perform the instructional duties.
Thorough working knowledge of FAA regulations and training standards applicable to instruction at DLH.
Demonstrated ability to deliver effective flight and ground instruction and coach and standardize other instructors.
Strong communication and customer-service skills with students, parents, and FBO staff.
Ability to work effectively with students, instructors, and operational teams.
Ability to pass a background check and drug screen.

Responsibilities

Perform the essential duties of a Certified Flight Instructor and maintain an active student roster.
Foster and uphold a strong safety culture, making safety the highest priority in flight school operations.
Report aircraft discrepancies and schedule routine maintenance appointments under a plan approved in advance by the Chief Flight Instructor.
Assign Discovery Flights and new students to qualified instructors using the equitable rotating process established by the Chief Flight Instructor.
Monitor instructor enrollment activity and periodically review student records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with school procedures.
Serve as the first-line on-site contact for routine student and parent questions, resolving routine issues professionally and escalating complaints, account, enrollment, and policy matters to the Chief Flight Instructor.
Distribute new student inquiries among instructors on a rotating basis.
Serve as the on-site contact for reporting aircraft-related concerns to the Chief Flight Instructor and follow up on approved corrective actions.
Collaborate with FBO front desk staff to support aircraft renters, students, and instructors and promote efficient daily operations.
Manage aircraft GPS navigation database updates in accordance with operational requirements.
Keep the Chief Flight Instructor informed about significant safety, operational, maintenance, personnel, and student-related matters.
Provide on-site operational support for effective and professional flight school activities and escalate matters to the Chief Flight Instructor as needed.
Conduct all initial Part 61 pre-solo stage checks; delegate additional stage checks to qualified instructors when appropriate under criteria approved by the Chief Flight Instructor.
Provide flight and ground instruction, mentorship, and standardization training for newly hired Certified Flight Instructors.
Assist with recruitment, evaluation, selection, and onboarding of instructional staff when requested and directed by the Chief Flight Instructor.