Flight Instructor Jobs in New York
Last updated July 3, 2026
A guide to flight instructor (CFI) jobs in New York — the flight schools FlyTo1500 tracks as potential employers, what CFI roles typically require, and how to find current openings.
Short answer
New York has 20 flight schools in the FlyTo1500 employer database. CFI hiring varies by school, season, student demand, aircraft availability, and instructor turnover, so this page highlights potential flight instructor employers and how to find current CFI openings.
New York CFI snapshot
- Flight schools tracked
- 20
- Major areas
- Farmingdale, Ronkonkoma, West Harrison, Ithaca, Niagara Falls, Glenville
- Common roles
- CFI, CFII, MEI
- Helpful ratings
- CFII and MEI expand your options
- Common trainers
- Cessna 172, Piper Archer, Diamond DA40, Seminole/DA42 (multi)
- Best for
- Pilots building hours through structured instruction
Counts reflect flight schools FlyTo1500 tracks. Requirements and hiring vary by school, aircraft, and insurance.
Potential Flight Instructor Employers in New York
Below are flight schools FlyTo1500 tracks in New York as potential CFI employers. Exact requirements and current openings vary by employer, aircraft, insurance minimums, and location — a listing here does not mean a school is currently hiring.
Academy Of Aviation LLC
Farmingdale, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Academy Of Aviation LLC
West Harrison, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
East Hill Flying Club INC
Ithaca, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Falcon Aviation Flight School
Niagara Falls, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Five Star Flight INC
Glenville, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Global Aviation Center INC
Farmingdale, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Heritage Flight Academy
Ronkonkoma, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Hewison Aviation
Selkirk, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Independent Helicopters LLC
Ballston Spa, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Independent Helicopters LLC
New Windsor, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Mid Island Air Service INC
Ronkonkoma, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Richmor Aviation INC
Scotia, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Richmor Aviation INC
Kingston, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Richmor Aviation INC
Hudson, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Rochester Air Center LLC
Rochester, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Rome - Satellite
Rome, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Take Flight Aviation LLC
Montgomery, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
US Aviation Group LLC
Wappingers Falls, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology
Flushing, NY
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Want current CFI openings, not just schools?
FlyTo1500 tracks live listings and matches them to your logbook.
Unlock Current CFI JobsWhat flight schools in New York typically look for
FAA rules set baseline certificate and flight instructor eligibility requirements, but individual flight schools may add their own aircraft, schedule, insurance, and experience preferences. CFI jobs commonly ask for:
- A Commercial Pilot Certificate
- A CFI certificate (CFII often preferred to teach instrument students)
- MEI helpful at multi-engine schools
- A current medical certificate
- Recent instructional proficiency and a clean, current logbook
- Availability and schedule flexibility, including evenings and weekends
Flight instructor eligibility is set out in 14 CFR § 61.183, with instructor limitations and qualifications in 14 CFR § 61.195. Keep your logbook accurate per 14 CFR § 61.51.
How to improve your chances of a CFI job in New York
- Add a CFII if you only hold a CFI
- Add an MEI if the area has multi-engine schools
- Keep your logbook clean and current
- Build a simple, professional aviation resume
- Be flexible on schedule and willing to relocate within the area
- Reach out to schools directly and watch for seasonal hiring
- Set up job alerts so you catch new CFI openings early
Metro areas in New York
Flight instructor jobs in other states
Related FlyTo1500 resources
- Flight instructor job requirements — pay, ratings, and how CFI work builds hours
- Flight instructor jobs by location — the full state and metro hub
- 250-hour pilot jobs — what's realistic right after training
- How to get 1,500 flight hours and the best jobs to build hours
Official sources referenced
FAA rules set baseline certificate and flight instructor eligibility requirements; individual schools add their own aircraft, insurance, and experience preferences. Always confirm current rules with the FAA and the specific school.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find flight instructor jobs in New York?+
Start by identifying the flight schools near you — New York has 20 flight schools in the FlyTo1500 employer database. CFI hiring varies by school, season, and student demand, so reach out to schools directly and use FlyTo1500 to track current or recently listed CFI openings that match your certificates and ratings.
How many flight schools are in New York?+
FlyTo1500 currently tracks 20 flight schools in New York, concentrated around Farmingdale, Ronkonkoma, West Harrison, Ithaca, Niagara Falls, Glenville. These are potential flight instructor employers; whether any is hiring at a given time depends on the school, aircraft availability, and instructor turnover.
Do CFI jobs in New York require a CFII?+
Not always, but many schools prefer or require a CFII so you can teach instrument students, and an MEI helps at multi-engine schools. Exact requirements vary by school, aircraft, and insurance. A base CFI certificate is typically the minimum.
How much do flight instructors make in New York?+
Flight instructor pay in New York varies widely by school, whether it's hourly or salaried, your ratings, and how many students you fly. Because ranges shift often, check current listings rather than relying on a single figure. FlyTo1500 links you to the original source so you can see the real terms.
Are there entry-level CFI jobs in New York?+
Often yes — flight instructing is one of the most common first jobs for newly certificated pilots, and New York's 20 schools make it a reasonable place to start. Availability depends on the school and season, and some prefer a CFII. See our 250-hour pilot jobs guide for what's realistic early on.
Can FlyTo1500 help me find CFI jobs in New York?+
Yes. FlyTo1500 tracks flight schools and CFI opportunities and lets you compare them against your hours, certificates, and ratings, so you can focus on openings you qualify for. FlyTo1500 helps you discover and compare jobs — it does not employ pilots.
Want to know which CFI jobs you actually qualify for?
FlyTo1500 helps you compare low-time pilot jobs based on your hours, certificates, ratings, and job goals — so you can focus on openings that actually match your logbook.
Find CFI Jobs I Qualify ForCancel anytime · Apply directly with employers