About This Role
Vantage Aviation is seeking a Lead Flight Instructor for its Duluth, Minnesota location. This senior, working Certified Flight Instructor maintains an active student roster, delivers flight and ground instruction, conducts stage checks, mentors and standardizes other CFIs, supports student and parent relations, and helps maintain safe and efficient flight-school operations. The role also includes limited part-time coordination duties under the oversight of the Chief Flight Instructor, including instructor assignments, student-record reviews, aircraft discrepancy reporting, GPS database updates, schedule coordination, and support for recruiting and onboarding instructional staff.
Duties & Responsibilities
- The Lead Flight Instructor performs all core CFI responsibilities while maintaining an active student roster and fostering strong relationships with students and instructors. Duties include promoting a strong safety culture
- reporting aircraft discrepancies
- scheduling routine maintenance appointments under Chief Flight Instructor approval
- assigning Discovery Flights and new students through an equitable rotating process
- monitoring instructor enrollment activity
- reviewing student records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance
- and serving as the first on-site contact for routine student and parent questions. The instructor distributes new inquiries fairly, reports aircraft concerns and follows up on approved corrective actions, collaborates with FBO front-desk staff, maintains aircraft GPS navigation database updates, and keeps the Chief Flight Instructor informed of significant safety, operational, maintenance, personnel, and student matters. The role conducts all initial Part 61 pre-solo stage checks, provides flight and ground instruction and mentorship to newly hired CFIs, supports standardization training, and assists with recruiting, evaluating, selecting, and onboarding instructional staff when requested. All work is performed under the Chief Flight Instructor's strategic oversight, including prior approval for scheduled aircraft maintenance.
What We Offer
This is a part-time, non-exempt position.All flight instruction, ground instruction, administrative, and coordination hours must be recorded accurately in the company timekeeping system.The position is not eligible for company benefits other than benefits required by law, including Minnesota earned sick and safe time.
Requirements
- Applicants must hold a current and active Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) qualification and have a minimum of 150 hours of flight instruction during the last year.
- A current FAA Third-Class Medical certification is required to lawfully perform the instructional duties.
- Candidates must have thorough working knowledge of the FAA regulations and training standards applicable to instruction at DLH, demonstrated ability to provide effective flight and ground instruction, and the ability to coach and standardize other instructors.
- Strong communication and customer-service skills are required when working with students, parents, and FBO staff, together with the ability to work effectively with students, instructors, and operational teams.
- Candidates must be able to pass a background check and drug screen.
- The role is performed in person at an active airport and flight-training environment, requires flexible availability including weekends based on training schedules, and involves exposure to ramp areas, aircraft, and changing weather conditions.
- The expected coordination commitment is approximately 20 to 30 hours per month, with a maximum of 40 hours per month when needed, in addition to flight-instruction time.