20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You’ll spend mornings preparing lessons and materials in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, then check aircraft and student records in Excel or a student database like Blackboard or Microsoft Access.
Afternoons are hands-on: demonstrate maneuvers, observe and evaluate student performance in the cockpit, give debriefs, assign homework, and update progress and safety notes. Expect staff meetings, scheduling flights to maximise attendance, and occasional recruitment or publicity events.
For lesson plans and handouts you’ll use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint; Excel and Access hold student logs, scheduling, and performance data. Blackboard or similar LMS handles assignments, grades, and announcements. Adobe Photoshop can crop or annotate images for training slides or articles.
Knowing basic file management and printing is essential; schools often require the same templates and record formats so follow their files and naming rules.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 332,110 instructors in the broader teaching category had a median wage of $46,800 per year; the lowest tenth earned about $30,050 and the top tenth about $92,840.
Pay for flight instructors varies widely by region, type of school (small flight school vs. university), and whether you’re full-time, part-time, or paid per flight hour.
Begin with a private pilot certificate, then get instrument and commercial certificates before pursuing the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating. Study aerodynamics, navigation, and FAA regs; use Word and PowerPoint to create study notes and briefings.
Work on teaching skills: write clear learning objectives, practise demonstrations, and learn student assessment methods. Many instructors also read instructional articles and use Blackboard-style LMS materials to structure lessons.
An airline pilot flies passengers for a carrier; a flight instructor’s job is teaching skills, assessing students, and keeping training records. Instructors adapt teaching methods, demonstrate maneuvers, and guarantee student safety during training flights.
At a flying club you might do both instruction and aircraft management; at a formal flight school you’ll use systems like Blackboard, Excel, and Access for records, and join committees or recruitment events.
You can use AI to draft lesson plans, generate PowerPoint slides, or produce practice questions, but always check facts against FAA regulations, approved manuals, and your school’s templates. Don’t let AI replace your flight demonstrations or safety checks.
Keep student safety and privacy in mind: do not upload protected student records to public AI services. Recordkeeping must match school and FAA standards in Excel/Access or the LMS.
Focus on clear communication: write concise learning objectives, demonstrate skills step-by-step, and give specific corrective feedback. Practice observing and evaluating student performance, then logging progress accurately in Excel or the LMS.
Also build safety habits—preflight briefings, risk assessment, and making cockpit interventions when needed. Learn to adapt methods to each student and to prepare classroom materials ahead of time.