Flight instructor job requirements can vary based on on the employer in question and the jurisdiction in which you will seek this job. In many cases, however, you will need at least a high school diploma or its equivalent to become a flight instructor, but some employers may prefer college degrees. You will typically have to meet requirements regarding your ability to fly in many different conditions as well as a variety of positions, and possess a pilot's license for this job. You might also have to meet flight time experience requirements and acquire in-depth knowledge of concepts important for teaching others to fly. Additionally, you may have to pass a variety of exams, including those that are medical in nature, to become a flight instructor.
Educational requirements for aspiring flight instructors vary. Generally speaking, however, most employers prefer to hire individuals who have at least high school or General Educational Development® (GED®) diplomas. Some employers, however, may only hire individuals who have earned college degrees or at least completed a couple of years of college education.
Training is required when you want to become a flight instructor. You will typically need to complete flight training and acquire a commercial pilot's license. In many jurisdictions, you will also need an instrument rating, which means you have demonstrated the ability to fly in a range of conditions, including fog and heavy rain.
Earning a pilot's license and becoming a flight instructor often means passing exams as well. For example, you will likely have to pass a written or oral exam that concerns flight concepts as well as complete in-flight exams. You may have to submit to a medical examination and other types of testing as well. Additionally, you will typically have to complete a minimum number of flight hours to obtain a commercial pilot's license.
Once you have a pilot's license, you will likely need to enroll in a flight instructor's training course. This course will typically teach you the fundamentals of teaching others as well as ways to maintain safety during instruction. This type of course may also teach you how to fly an aircraft from an instructor's seat rather than the pilot's chair and how to deal with student errors in the course of instruction. In some cases, you may have to pass additional examinations and submit to background checks and drug testing to become a flight instructor.
