The Southern Illinois University School of Aviation seeks applicants for flight instructor positions at the rank of Assistant Instructor in the Aviation Flight (Associate of Applied Science) program. This is a term, non-tenure track faculty appointment. Flight instructors are hired based on the needs of the program and applications are continually evaluated throughout the year, with the first review beginning March 20, 2026. Because program needs change quickly, candidates with a completed application on file will be given full consideration as vacancies open.
Due to the newly established $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions requesting consular processing outside of the U.S., Southern Illinois University is unable to provide H-1B sponsorship at this time for any prospective applicant who is outside of the U.S. and requires consular processing.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is represented by SIU Carbondale Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association/IEA-NEA. For more information regarding salary and other details please visit:https://laborrelations.siu.edu/labor-contracts/.
Flight instructors are responsible for 1) providing individual flight instruction to students enrolled in Aviation Flight courses, including preflight/post-flight inspections as well as maintaining the training records of assigned students, 2) assisting faculty as needed in teaching aeronautical and aircraft systems classes leading to FAA Pilot Certificates and Ratings, and 3) engaging in other duties as determined by the Chief Flight Instructor. All instructors are expected to adhere to all university, FAA, accreditation, collective bargaining agreement, and other relevant policies and procedures. Minimum Qualifications (FAC/AP) or Additional Required Qualifications (CS Custom Classifications):
All candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications. Application materials should clearly document meeting minimum qualifications:
FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating
FAA Certified Flight Instructor-Airplane Single Engine Certificate (CFI)
In addition, candidates must meet one of the following:
Earned bachelor’s degree by date of hire, and
Obtain Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Airplane Certificate required within four months of date of hire. Individuals may not serve as “Instructor of Record” for any Aviation courses until CFII is earned. Additionally, individuals who do not earn their CFII in a timely fashion may not have their contract renewed.
OR
50 hours of documented instruction provided as a flight instructor, and
FAR141 experience within a university flight program.
Earned master’s degree by date of hire at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Required Documents:Submita letter of application, current resume/vitae which includes verification of the above qualifications and flight hour summary, copies of certificates, transcripts, and names, addresses/email addresses and phone numbers of five references to: copies of any FAA certificates held. If applying with a bachelor’s degree and/or a master’s degree, unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application, but official academic transcripts must be received prior to date of hire.
The School of Aviation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is nationally recognized, FAA-approved, and offers programs in Aviation Flight, Aviation Management, and Aviation Technologies. The school offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees in both online and in-person formats. Onsite instruction is offered on the grounds of the Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, including in the state-of-the-art Transportation Education Center composed of office space and classrooms, a 60,000 square foot hangar, a helicopter laboratory, and a variety of other hands-on learning laboratories. Additional information regarding the Aviation Technologies Program is available at http://www.aviation.siu.edu/.
