At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance flight training operations while mentoring instructors and ensuring high standards.
- Company: Dynamic aviation training organisation with a focus on excellence and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, pension scheme, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and international travel to Spain.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aviation training and make a real impact in a leadership role.
- Qualifications: EASA or UK CAA Commercial Pilot Licence and proven supervisory experience in flight training.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 91000 £ per year.
Location: Oxford (primarily) with travel to Alhama, Spain
Salary: £65k per annum + bonus (DOE)
Our client is seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Chief Flight Instructor to support the Chief Flight Instructor in the delivery, oversight, and continuous improvement of flight training operations. This senior instructional role plays a key part in maintaining high training standards, supervising Flight Instructors, and ensuring effective and efficient training delivery across multiple campuses. The Deputy CFI will act as the CFI’s delegate when required and contribute to the strategic development of training programmes in collaboration with the wider training leadership team.
The position is full time - 40 hours per week.
- Support the CFI with the day-to-day management of flight training operations, including scheduling and optimisation of aircraft, simulators, and instructor resources.
- Monitor student training progress and proactively address performance or scheduling issues.
- Supervise, mentor, and support Flight Instructors to ensure consistent instructional quality and adherence to SOPs.
- Conduct lesson observations, provide constructive feedback, and recommend further training or development where required.
- Assist with line management responsibilities, including day-to-day management tasks, annual reviews, and performance management.
Student Training:
- Review student progress and liaise with instructors to ensure timely completion of training phases.
- Conduct or oversee flight assessments, progress checks, and remedial training when necessary.
- Promote and embed the organisation’s Safety Management System (SMS) and Threat & Error Management (TEM) principles.
Quality Assurance:
- Contribute to the development, review, and continuous improvement of SOPs, training syllabi, and instructional materials.
- Represent the CFI in meetings, briefings, and when liaising with national aviation authorities or external stakeholders.
Administration & Planning:
- Support reporting, record keeping, and regulatory documentation.
- Assist with course planning, instructor rostering, and evaluation of training outcomes.
- Liaise with the Chief TKI and ground school teams to ensure students are well prepared for flight training.
Requirements:
- EASA or UK CAA Commercial Pilot Licence with valid Flight Instructor ratings relevant to professional flight training.
- Proven experience in a professional flight training environment with demonstrated supervisory capability.
- Experience working across multiple training locations or international campuses.
- Previous leadership or deputy role within an Approved Training Organisation (ATO).
Benefits:
- Competitive salary with bonus scheme
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions
- Enhanced sick pay increasing with length of service
- Life assurance and loss of licence insurance
- Private medical insurance for senior management positions
- Full reimbursement of rating and medical renewals and revalidations
- Wellbeing benefits, including access to an Individual Assistance Programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free on-site parking
Chief Flight Instructor in Oxford employer: Intake Talent
Join a leading flight training organisation in Oxford, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation education. With a strong commitment to employee development, competitive salaries, and a supportive work culture, we offer generous benefits including enhanced sick pay, private medical insurance, and a cycle to work scheme. Experience the unique opportunity to work across multiple campuses, including travel to Alhama, Spain, while contributing to high training standards and mentoring the next generation of pilots.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Flight Instructor in Oxford
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Intake Talent for a Chief Flight Instructor. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Flight Instructor in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Intake Talent, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Intake Talent, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Intake Talent
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Intake Talent.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Intake Talent. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Intake Talent love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
