Ground Instructor

The Ground Instructor at Rocket Air Flight Academy delivers classroom and one-on-one instruction to students on subjects such as aerodynamics, weather, navigation, regulations, and aircraft systems. This role prepares students for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) written exams, tracks academic progress, and adjusts teaching methods to match individual learning styles. The Ground Instructor supports overall student success by reinforcing key concepts learned during flight training, answering questions, and helping students connect theory to real-world flying by administering practice tests, evaluating performance, and ensuring students meet required knowledge standards before advancing.

5 Main Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct ground training in compliance with FAA, FAR Part 61, FAR Part 141, & approved TCO standards
• Deliver classroom instruction, evaluate student performance, & document progress
• Maintain accurate, timely, & audit-ready training records
• Enforce company policies, procedures, & FAA-approved training programs
• Uphold standardization, safety, & current instructional proficiency

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum, course objectives, and training requirements for each ground school course.
• Deliver high-quality ground instruction that promotes student understanding, knowledge retention, and successful learning outcomes.
• Follow established course syllabi and maintain required training schedules and timelines.
• Develop, maintain, and update instructional materials and resources used in ground training.
• Administer regular assessments to evaluate student comprehension and knowledge retention, including daily end-of-day assessments covering the material presented, beginning-of-day assessments reviewing previously covered coursework, a mock end-of-course examination on the second-to-last day of class, and a final end-of-course examination on the last day of class.
• Monitor and document student progress, provide progress reports, and make recommendations for additional instruction or areas requiring improvement.
• Develop and maintain supplemental student training materials and documentation, including individual ground training folders containing daily lesson summaries, study resources, and relevant references to support independent learning.
• Stay current with FAA regulations, guidance, accepted instructional materials, and applicable aviation theory, ensuring course content and instructional resources reflect current standards and requirements.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in an aviation educational setting required.
• Minimum Commercial Pilot Certificate with appropriate Class Ratings, an Instrument Rating, and an FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate required.
• Certified Flight Instructor ratings CFI/II required.
• Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) certification preferred.
• Maintains FAA Gold Seal Instructor Status.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods while conducting classroom instruction and preparing training materials.
• Ability to walk throughout the classroom and training facility to assist students and support instructional activities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with students and colleagues in person and through electronic communication.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, and standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to see, read, and review instructional materials, charts, diagrams, presentations, and student assessments.
• Ability to reach, bend, and occasionally lift or carry instructional materials, books, files, and classroom supplies weighing up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to work in a classroom, office, and other aviation training environments as needed.