Chief Pilot

Texas Southern University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Southern University in Houston, TX, seeks a Chief Pilot to lead flight operations for its aviation programs. The role includes scheduling pilots, supervising instructors, and ensuring FAA compliance with university policies and safety standards.

The Chief Pilot will contribute to curriculum development, coordinate aircraft use, and uphold high professional and instructional standards within the program. Strong leadership and mentoring abilities are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced piloting skills with significant flight hours and instrument experience.
• Experience with FAA regulatory compliance, risk management, and standardized procedures.
• Leadership and supervisory abilities, including mentoring instructors and students.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with faculty, staff, and diverse student populations.
• Solid organizational and administrative skills, including record-keeping and reporting.
• FAA Commercial Pilot certificate with appropriate ratings; CFI/CFII preferred; strong safety record; prior chief pilot or senior flight instructor experience.
• Master's Degree in aviation, aerospace, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all flight operations within the university’s aviation programs.
• Manage pilot schedules and supervise flight instructors.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations and university policies.
• Coordinate aircraft utilization and maintain SOPs.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leadership to align training with program objectives.
• Mentor students and participate in outreach and recruitment activities.

Skills

Flight hours

Multi-engine

Instrument experience

Flight instruction

FAA compliance

Safety management

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

FAA Commercial Pilot certificate (CFI/CFII preferred)

Master's degree in aviation/aerospace or related field

Job description

Company Description

Texas Southern University (TSU) is one of the nation’s largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across diverse disciplines. Located on a 150-acre campus in Houston, TX, TSU serves as a hub for developing leaders from varied socio-economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds. The university community includes more than 9,400 students and nearly 1,500 faculty and staff, representing almost every U.S. state, Puerto Rico, and over 50 countries. TSU’s alumni network includes educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and other professionals who drive change locally, nationally, and internationally. The university’s dynamic environment and global diversity provide a rich setting for academic excellence and professional growth.

Role Description

The Chief Pilot is a full-time, on-site position based in Houston, TX, responsible for overseeing all flight operations within the university’s aviation programs. This role includes managing pilot schedules, supervising flight instructors, and ensuring compliance with FAA regulations, university policies, and safety standards. The Chief Pilot will conduct stage checks, evaluate pilot, teach, performance, and support curriculum development for flight training courses. Day-to-day tasks involve coordinating aircraft utilization, maintaining standardized operating procedures, and collaborating with academic and administrative leadership to align aviation training with program objectives. The Chief Pilot will also mentor students, participate in outreach and recruitment activities, and help maintain high professional and instructional standards within the aviation program.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess advanced piloting skills, including significant flight hours, multi-engine and instrument experience, and demonstrated proficiency in flight instruction.
• Candidates should possess strong operational and safety management skills, including experience with FAA regulatory compliance, risk management, and standardized procedures.
• Candidates should possess leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to mentor instructors and students, manage teams, and coordinate complex schedules.
• Candidates should possess effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and diverse student populations.
• Candidates should possess solid organizational and administrative skills, including record-keeping, reporting, and use of relevant aviation and office software.
• Relevant qualifications include an FAA Commercial Pilot certificate with appropriate ratings (CFI/CFII preferred), a strong safety record, and prior experience as a chief pilot or senior flight instructor.
• A Master's Degree in aviation, aerospace, or a related field is preferred, along with experience in collegiate or professional flight training environments.