Rotary Wing Instructor Pilot - USAF Introductory Flight Training (IFT-R)
About CAE Defense & Security
CAE is globally recognized as the worldwide partner of choice in defense and security, civil aviation, and healthcare. The organization is committed to revolutionizing customer training and critical operations by utilizing digitally immersive solutions that rigorously elevate safety, efficiency, and mission readiness.
The CAE Defense & Security business unit is specifically focused on ensuring military customers develop and maintain the highest possible levels of mission readiness.
Core Values and Benefits
CAE’s culture is defined by core values: Empowerment, Innovation, Excellence, Integrity, and One CAE. The organization strives to provide an environment where employees are valued, respected, and safe. CAE offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, flexible options that promote work-life balance, and encourages team members to succeed by taking initiative and driving professional development.
Position Summary
CAE is currently seeking highly qualified and experienced Rotary Wing Instructor Pilots to support the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command’s (AETC) Introductory Flight Training – Rotary (IFT-R) program. This critical position is stationed at the CAE Dothan Training Center and involves training the next generation of military aviators through advanced, standardized instructional techniques.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Rotary Wing Instructor Pilot holds a pivotal role in the execution of the USAF IFT-R curriculum. Essential functions of this position include:
- Executing comprehensive contact flight training and instrument familiarization for student pilots within the USAF IFT-R framework.
- Collaborating closely with the CAE IFT-R Chief Pilot, Director of Quality Assurance, Standardization, and the USAF to maintain a rigorous standardization and training program at the Dothan Training Center.
- Ensuring strict adherence and compliance with all applicable aviation standards, including USAF protocols and Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).
- Active participation in the Quality Management System (QMS), quality procedures, and established safety programs.
- Maintaining current knowledge of changes and modifications to external regulatory standards.
- Managing the standardization, evaluation, and examiner plan, which includes scheduling internal and external audits, maintaining deficiency tracking databases, and providing detailed reports.
- Coordinating examiner activities across the program to guarantee consistent and robust instructional support.
- Interfacing proactively with program management, the customer, and CAE USA staff to identify and address quality assurance concerns and ensure all contractual quality requirements are fulfilled.
- Identifying and executing opportunities for continuous process improvement across various operational interfaces.
- Presenting performance metrics to accurately measure process effectiveness and the impact of improvement initiatives.
- Conducting all business operations in strict compliance with corporate policies and applicable state and federal regulations.
Qualifications and Flight Time Requirements
Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen due to stringent U.S. Government contract requirements.
- FAA Certification: Possession of a current FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, Helicopter, with an Instrument Helicopter Rating.
- Instructor Certification: Possession of a current FAA Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) Helicopter, with an Instrument Helicopter Instructor (CFII) rating.
- Medical Certification: Must possess and maintain a current FAA Class 2 Medical Certificate.
- Flexibility: Must be highly motivated, self-directed, and possess the flexibility to work varying shifts, days, and overtime as program requirements dictate.
Minimum Flight Experience
The role requires substantial and specialized experience, including:
- Total Flight Time: 1,000 hours (as pilot-in-command or second in command per FAR 61.51; or PC/PI per AR 95-1).
- Turbine Helicopter Time: 500 hours.
- Instrument Experience (Hooded, Flight Simulator, or Weather Pilot Time): 100 hours.
- Night Flying Time: 75 hours.
- Flight Instructor Time: 500 hours as a Helicopter Instructor Pilot, with demonstrable experience in primary flight training within a military initial flight training course or FAA 14 CFR Part 61 and/or Part 141 environments.
- Required experience instructing students in instrument flight training.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Associate of Science degree.
- Graduate of a US Department of Defense (DoD) formal Rotary Wing Instructor Pilot training program.
- Prior experience serving as a U.S. Air Force Helicopter Instructor Pilot.
- Highly Desirable Flight Time:
- Total Flight Time: 2,500 hours.
- Helicopter Instructor Time (Any Weight/Category): 1,000 hours.
- Helicopter Turbine Time: 1,500 hours.
Work Environment and Security Responsibilities
Candidates must comply with all company security and data protection/usage policies and procedures and are personally responsible for the proper marking and handling of all information. Eligibility for a DoD Personal Security Clearance is mandatory.
This job operates within a professional classroom and office environment, but required flight line duties will involve exposure to extreme Summer and Winter temperatures. The candidate must meet specific physical demands, including the ability to lift at least 40 pounds overhead, walk or climb stairs/ladders into simulator or aircraft cockpits, and perform activities such as stooping, bending, and crawling. The ability to detect auditory and olfactory cues (noises, odors, etc.) indicative of problems or flaws in the functioning of simulators or related systems is also required.
CAE USA Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants needing reasonable accommodations should contact their recruiter at any point in the recruitment process.