Chief Flight Instructor

General Description of the Position

The Chief Flight Instructor Pilot is responsible for providing flight instruction, operational oversight, and leadership within the flight training program to ensure students’ progress successfully through established flight training syllabi and achieve FAA certification requirements. This position oversees instructional quality, compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and the safe and effective delivery of flight training. The incumbent provides both flight and ground instruction and may teach courses within the Aviation Professional Pilot concentration curriculum. The position requires extensive aviation knowledge, practical flight instruction experience, classroom teaching experience, and the ability to instruct across multiple FAA certification courses.

Essential Functions & Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Oversee and manage the flight training and instruction of undergraduate student pilots, ensuring progression through approved flight training syllabi and compliance with program standards.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and performance oversight for full-time Flight Instructors, Assistant Chief Flight Instructors, part-time Flight Instructors, Check Airmen, and student Flight Instructors.
• Conduct flight and ground instruction for all FAA certifications and ratings offered through the Professional Pilot concentration.
• Administer and evaluate stage checks for all flight certification courses to ensure student proficiency and readiness for advancement.
• Conduct FAA Practical Examinations under the University's authorized self-examining authority for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Multi-Engine certifications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Aviation Program and the local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and standards.
• Serve as Chief of Course for all flight certification laboratories, including oversight of course administration, student performance evaluation, and the assignment of academic grades for students enrolled in the Professional Pilot concentration.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with FAA regulations, university policies, and aviation program procedures to promote operational safety and instructional excellence.
• Collaborate with the Director of Aviation Programs to support strategic initiatives, curriculum implementation, accreditation requirements, and continuous improvement efforts within the aviation program.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the Aviation Program and the University.

Qualification Standards

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation or a related field required; equivalent aviation flight training experience may be considered.
• Possession of Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) and Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL) certificates.
• Current Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificates for Airplane, Instrument, and Multi-Engine ratings.
• Meets Pilot-in-Command (PIC) recent flight experience requirements in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 61.57.
• Meets the qualification requirements outlined in FAR Part 141.36.
• Demonstrated administrative and/or managerial experience in aviation-related operations, training, or instructional activities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with students, faculty, staff, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.

• Master's degree or higher in Aviation or a related field.
• Possession of an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
• Three (3) or more years of experience working within an FAA Part 141 flight training program.
• Three (3) or more years of experience working in a university or collegiate flight training program with self-examining authority.
• Experience serving as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).

EEO Statement

Delaware State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship or disability, veteran or military status, gender identity or genetic information. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. The University is committed to the policy of equal employment opportunity in recruitment, hiring, career advancement, and all other employment practices.

Equal opportunity employer/program'' and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities''.