Flight Instructor

The Flight Instructor - Every pilot's gateway to an aviation career

Although a Flight Instructor  is usually thought of as someone who teaches a novice how to fly, they engage in advanced training too. The Instructor will instruct the student in three common areas: knowledge, skill, and judgment.

The Flight Instructor will develop a student’s understanding of traditional aviation academics, such as rules and regulations, aerodynamics, aircraft operations and performance, meteorology, navigation, etc. The flight instructor will also demonstrate flight procedures and cultivate individual piloting skills and a positive and committed attitude to safety.

 The Instructor is also the student’s mentor in handling the challenges of flight. It is through the experience of the instructor that the student pilot will initially gain insight and perspective that leads to good judgment and decision-making skills.

The pay scale can be anywhere between $22.70 and $40 per hour, depending on whether the instructor is newly qualified and under direct supervision or more experienced. The instructor role enables you to build experience and flying hours as you work towards advancement in your flying career.

A new flight instructor will have acquired only about 300 hours of flight experience before joining the school staff. The new instructor should view this time in their career as a paid apprenticeship. That fledgling instructor is given the opportunity to build and develop and is being paid in the process.

 Throughout New Zealand there are many Part 141 Training Organisations offering aviation programs. Career Instructors within the traditional academic environment enjoy more customary benefits and real opportunities for a stable and well rewarded career.

We offer a programme for students wishing to pursue flight instruction as a career or career development opportunity.