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AIRPLANE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

Department of the Air Force
Air Education and Training Command

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/26/2026 to 04/01/2026
Salary
$113,656 to - $147,755 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Sheppard AFB, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9U-AFPC-12921998-190308-CDR
Control number
862602400

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an aircraft, simulator and academic instructor for AETC Flying Training programs. To serve as an Instructor Pilot/Pilot in Command during student flying and simulator training missions and to provide instruction to rated pilots in methods of instruction and to evaluate their proficiency to engage in flight instruction.

  • Serves as an Instructor Pilot for student pilots in academic, flight and flight simulator flight training.
  • Serves as the Aircraft Commander/Instructor Pilot/Evaluator Pilot on training missions for Unit Instructor Pilots.
  • Orients newly assigned instructor pilots on mission profiles, flying areas and training flights in the local and non-local areas in which instruction will occur.
  • Performs other duties related to accomplishment of the unit operational and training mission.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • The instructor will maintain flight line-equivalent proficiency in accordance with all AFMAN 11-202 and AFMAN 11-2(MDS) series regulations
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Must be able to maintain USAF Flying Class II physical standard qualifications IAW DAFMAN 48-123 administered by a properly credentialed DoD flight surgeon (as defined by DAFMAN 48-123)
  • May be required to fly in commercial and military aircraft to perform other duty assignments
  • This position has been identified as a designated position under the Air Force Drug Testing Plan. Incumbent(s) of this position is/are subject to the possibility of a random drug testing
  • This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • The incumbent is required to complete a formal flight or simulator instructor course (including training on the spectrum of Immersive Training Devices) and continue to meet and maintain AF requirements to pilot training aircraft and provide (cont'd)
  • (cont'd) formal flight and ground training instruction on a recurring and regular basis in support of the mission. Must possess and maintain proper qualifications to exercise the privileges for at least a Federal Aviation Administration (cont'd)
  • (cont'd) Commercial Pilot certificate with airplane single or multi-engine land and Instrument Airplane ratings, or military equivalent.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours; schedule may change on a daily basis due to the operational flying schedule. In all cases, the incumbent will adhere to crew duty day definitions and limits IAW AFMAN 11-202 (cont'd)
  • (cont'd) and 11-2(MDS) series policies when engaging in flight related duties. (cont'd)
  • (cont'd) Duty may include work on weekends and may take place at a location other than home station (Auxiliary fields), and other approved fields during cross-country or out-and-back sorties including normal flight duties as well as ground duties.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Aircraft Operation Series, 2181.

Note: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions.

AND

Certificates and Ratings: For all grade levels and specializations, candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the military rating, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material. For flight instructor positions, the FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating is also required. The pilot certificate must include the rating(s) appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. For example, a position that involves flying a multi-engine airplane to various destinations under instrument flight rules would require the Commercial Pilot Certificate with the airplane, multi-engine, and instrument ratings or appropriate U.S. military ratings. Positions that require flying or instructing in flying both airplanes and helicopters require a rating in both categories. Only those ratings necessary to perform the work are required.

Flight Experience: Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. The categories in which candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency relate to (1) the general knowledge and skills to pilot the aircraft, and (2) the specific knowledge and skills related to the particular position being filled. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.

Minimum Flight Hour Requirements: The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants:

  1. Total Flight Time -- Flight time as pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. For in-service placements actions, up to one-fourth of the total flight hours may by waived for candidates who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work, provided:
  2. They hold the certificates and ratings required;
    • They have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work;
    • They meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and
    • Their flying history indicates they are qualified for the position.
  3. Pilot-In-Command -- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
Requirements: GS-11 and Above (Hours):
  • Total Flight Time 1500
  • Pilot-In-Command 250
  • Flying Time, Last 12 months 100
  • Night Flying 75
  • For Instructor Time, 500 Instructor hours is required
  • Instrument 75
Note: You must submit proof of Flight Hours Note: General Military Flight Experience and Training: Flight experience and training (not to include solely simulator training gained in the armed services of the United States of elsewhere). Applicants who have flight experience and training, may have up to 50% of the total flight hour requirement waived. Complex Aircraft Flight Instructor Experience: Applicants who have experience as an instructor in the operation of complex aircraft, may have up to 20% of the instructor flight hour requirement waived. Multi-engine Aircraft Time: Applicants who have experience flying multi-engine aircraft, may have up to 20% of the multi-engine flight hour requirement waived. Night Vision Device Operations: Applicants who have flown under night vision device operations, may have 20% of their total flight hours waived.

Medical Requirements: At the time of initial appointment, candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the second-class medical certificate, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material. Staff specialists not involved in the operation of aircraft need only have a medical examination indicating that they are able to perform the duties of the position to be filled. For flight test pilots, airspace system inspection pilots, and Customs pilots, all candidates must possess a current first-class medical certificate at the time of appointment.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  1. Knowledge of aircraft systems and operating procedures, aerodynamics, flying fundamentals, aircraft instrumentation, aerobatic maneuvers, close formation flying, high-speed low-level flight, ground and flight emergency procedures, and instrument and visual flight rules, as well as knowledge of the operation, characteristics, and limitations of assigned aircraft.
  2. Knowledge of the rules, concepts, techniques, procedures, and operations of flying training programs and objectives related to combat systems training.
  3. Knowledge of effective training principles, techniques, and tools required to develop, instruct, evaluate, improve, and conduct training.
  4. Skill in demonstrating flying procedures and maneuvers in a unit aircraft.
  5. Ability to formulate plans and courses pertaining to flying operations and unit flying training activities.
  6. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing, to include public speaking before large and small audiences.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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