Flight Instructors
Getting Started
Air America Flight Center is always hiring flight instructors!
Air America offers all flight instructors the perfect environment to teach in. Between Central Florida's perfect flying weather and the abundance of students due to our proximity to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University there is simply not a better or easier place to be a flight instructor. As an independent contractor, we are committed to providing you with the aircraft and resources you need to achieve success in your aviation career. In addition to offering one of the largest and lowest priced fleets, we offer:
- Best Pay! (Earn at least $20/hr for Single-Engine and $25/hr for Multi-Engine)
- Great Schedule and Aircraft Availability! (Fly when you want to)
- Excellent Maintenance! (No missed flights due to downed planes)
- Simple Hiring Process! (Checkout makes you an independent contractor)
- Cessna Pilot Center Resources! (Everything you need to teach your students)
- Wide Range of Modern Aircraft including Complex, High-Performance, Glass Cockpit and Multi-Engine
The Hiring Process
Getting checked out to instruct at Air America is a simple process! If you are new to Air America you should contact us to schedule a checkout with our Chief, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor or one of the Designated Flight Instructors. During the checkout you will be evaluated on your ability to fly safely within Practical Test Standards while giving effective flight instruction during basic flight maneuvers. These checkouts are a minimum of one hour flight time but typically take up to two hours to complete (based on pilot proficiency). Once this is done, your paperwork is complete, and you meet all of the TSA and ramp access requirements of KDAB you can begin instructing!
What Happens Now?
Because Air America allows you to instruct as an independent contractor, you are now free to recruit your own students or to get students from our leads that we give to you. At this point you can schedule any aircraft that you are checked out in to provide any flight instruction that you are qualified to give. You are also free to use our class rooms, computers, and all of our resources to conduct your teaching. The Air America staff will always be available to assist you with anything including progress checks, mock checkrides and with the constantly changing foreign pilot training requirements.
What makes Air America Flight Center so unique is the freedom that we give our flight instructors. For example, you can set your own rates for instruction and you can schedule flights when you want to fly. Although our office closes at night, our instructors have 24-hour access to our fleet. Our goal is to give you the tools you need to be your own boss however if you ever need any assistance we will always be there for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
"Who are the Designated Flight Instructors?"
The Chief Flight Instructor, the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, and the Designated Flight Instructors represent the most experienced flight instructors at Air America Flight Center. They are the only flight instructors that are authorized to conduct flight instructor or aircraft rental checkouts. To be a Designated Flight Instructor you must be at least a 2-year flight instructor, a CFI, CFII and MEI, and you must be appointed by the Chief Flight Instructor. Here is the current list of the Chief, Assistant Chief, and Designated Flight Instructors:
Chief Flight Instructor - Mark Blackman (386-453-3022 or )Assistant Chief Flight Instructor - Sean Freeman (908-358-9913 or )
Designated Flight Instructor #1 - Martin Brabham (386-931-5613 or )
Designated Flight Instructor #2 - Robert Freelander (203-217-9014 or )
Designated Flight Instructor #3 - Jeff Salan (386-675-5960 or )
"Is a separate checkout required to instruct in each model of aircraft?"
Air America requires a separate checkout for the complex, high-performance, glass cockpit and multi-engine airplanes, however you can combine certain fixed-gear checkouts. For example:
If your initial checkout is in a 150/152 you can only instruct in the 150/152.If your initial checkout is in a 172L you can only instruct in the 172L and 150/152.
If your initial checkout is in a 172SP you can only instruct in the 172SP, 172L and 150/152.
If your initial checkout is in a 172SP G1000 you can only instruct in the 172SP G1000, 172SP, 172L and 150/152.
If your initial checkout is in a 182T G1000 you can only instruct in the 182T G1000, 172SP G1000, 172SP, 172L and 150/152.
If your initial checkout is in a 172RG you can only instruct in the 172RG, 172SP, 172L and 150/152.
If your initial checkout is in a BE-76 you can only instruct in the BE-76.
If your initial checkout is in a 310Q you can only instruct in the 310Q.
"What if I became a Flight Instructor at Air America?"
Any student that completes their CFI, CFII, or MEI training at Air America Flight Center is allowed to instruct at Air America without having to complete a flight instructor checkout. However, you may have to complete a separate checkout if you want to instruct in a model of aircraft that is different from what you used in your training. Please refer to the question above to determine if a separate checkout is required.
"Is Air America a Part 61 or Part 141/142 flight school?"
Air America Flight Center is a Part 61 flight school. This simply means that we teach to exceed the minimum FAA Practical Test Standards and that we do not have an FAA approved curriculum that we enforce. There are several advantages to being flight instructor at a Part 61 flight school. For starters, the hiring process is much simpler. Second, in a Part 61 school you can change your teaching style to meet the individual needs of your students unlike in a Part 141 school where you have to follow a set curriculum. This is especially helpful when you give instruction to a student who has already began their training elsewhere but never finished. In a Part 141 school you would have to start their training over but in a Part 61 school you can review or re-teach their previous instruction and give them 100% credit of all of their prior flight hours assuming the hours are not too old.
As a flight instructor at Air America you have the freedom to use any lesson plans or teaching materials that you are comfortable with. If you would like the structure of a Part 141/142 school with the flexibility of a Part 61 school we highly recommend using the Cessna CPC Flight Training Courses. As the Cessna Pilot Center of Daytona Beach, FL Air America has access to Cessna's proven teaching materials.
"Are flight instructors required to insure themselves?"
No, but it is highly recommended. Our planes are fully insured in the event of an accident but there is a deductible that the pilot-in-command would be responsible for paying. That means any damage up to deductible amount you would have to pay for. Beyond that Air America's insurance would pay for the rest. You can purchase your own flight instructor insurance from companies like Avemco or AOPA to cover the deductible amount. The cost of this varies from pilot to pilot because it is based on their individual experience.
Get More Information
If you'd like more information about flight instructing at Air America Flight Center, simply contact us or fill out the following form. Thank you for your interest!
