About This Role
XSTAR Aviation is hiring an in-person Flight Instructor/HondaJet pilot in Rapid City, South Dakota, to support the development of U.S. Air Force bomber aircrew. The instructor will conduct frequent multi-engine flight operations, provide flight and ground instruction, teach FAA and USAF procedural differences, and support airmanship, repetition, risk management, and operational proficiency. The role also includes an assigned site ground duty such as safety, training coordination, or program administration, with a Monday-through-Friday schedule and residence or relocation within 30 minutes of Rapid City.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as CFI/PIC and conduct safe, efficient multi-engine flight operations under FAA Part 91 and company procedures. Plan and execute flight profiles while instructing aircrew in flight planning, aeronautical decision-making, mission execution, instrument procedures, out-and-back missions, and terminal-area operations. Deliver ground-based instruction covering FAA and USAF operating procedures, airspace, and regulatory differences. Conduct proficiency-focused profiles that improve airmanship, repetition, and overall pilot performance, while maintaining strong risk management, crew coordination, and aeronautical judgment. Coordinate with program leadership, operations support, and maintenance teams to ensure reliable daily operations. Perform an assigned ground duty such as safety, training coordination, or program administration
- participate in safety programs, reporting, continuous improvement, scheduling coordination, and program meetings. Maintain accurate flight, training, and administrative records and represent XSTAR Aviation professionally with military personnel, government stakeholders, and industry partners.
Requirements
- Applicants must have 1,500 hours of total flight time, 750 hours of PIC time, 500 hours of instructor time, and 500 hours of turbine time
- military pilots may apply a 1.5× conversion factor. Candidates must qualify through one of the listed pathways: FAA CFI/CFII and MEI credentials
- an ATP certificate with multi-engine privileges and prior CFI experience
- or current or former military instructor-pilot experience. Multi-engine experience and demonstrated flight instruction in multi-engine aircraft are required. Applicants must hold a current FAA Medical Certificate Class II or higher, have at least 10 years of aviation experience, and demonstrate strong aeronautical decision-making, risk management, communication, instructional, and teamwork abilities. HA-420 experience is highly sought after. Preferred qualifications include multi-engine turbine experience, prior military aviation experience, structured training-program instructor experience, FAA Part 91 or Part 135 experience, HA-420 flight experience, a bachelor's degree, and experience mentoring developing pilots. U.S. citizenship is required. The posting states that the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance is preferred. Applicants must live or be willing to relocate within 30 minutes of Rapid City, and prior military pilots who do not meet the stated minimums may be considered case by case.