How to hire a check airman

How to hire a check airman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step check airman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a check airman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new check airman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a check airman, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A check airman's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, check airmen from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents check airman salaries for various positions.

   Type of Check Airman	Description	Hourly rate
   Check Airman	Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Airline pilots fly for airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule... Show more	$30-50
   Pilot	A pilot is a professional who works in the aviation industry to operate aircraft and transport passengers and cargos from one location to another. Pilots can fly and navigate different types of aircrafts such as helicopters, large commercial aircraft, or cargo planes... Show more	$27-56
   Pilot Instructor	The key role of a Pilot Instructor is to teach students procedures and techniques about how to fly aircraft. They offer instruction for both on the ground and in the sky, prepare lesson plans, and assess and monitor students performance.	$28-63

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Flight Training
   • PIC
   • Line Checks
   • Recurrent Training
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Airmen
   • Instructor Pilot

   Responsibilities:

   • Project manage the initial fielding of the RQ-11 tactical UAV system.
   • Train and educate selected personnel in the emergency reclamation of down aircraft and successfully conduct one combat reclamation of a helicopter.
   • Oversee flight crewmembers, including co-pilot and flight engineer.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your check airman job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A check airman salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, check airmen' average salary in minnesota is 37% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level check airmen earn 39% less than senior-level check airmen.
   • Certifications. A check airman with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a check airman's salary.

   Average check airman salary

   $82,530yearly

   $39.68 hourly rate

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   Entry-level check airman salary

   $64,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

4. Writing a check airman job description

   A job description for a check airman role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a check airman job description:

   Check airman job description example

   Job Summary Company instructor who performs an oversight, safety and qualification role for Helicopter pilots undergoing evaluation. Conducts training and flight checks in a classroom, an aircraft, or in a flight simulator. A new pay scale applies, effective August 2022.
   
   Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following: Evaluate operational compliance including all aspects of safety, flight operations, maintenance operations, and other procedures and policies as described in the General Operations Manual• Initial and Recurrent training (ground and flight)• Transition, differences and ROC (restricted operations checks) ground and flight training• Will correct and report out-of-compliance issues immediately. When unable to be corrected immediately, the CA will coordinate with the ACP and Regional Aviation or Maintenance Director as appropriate to ensure the problem is corrected• Assist in the development and implementation of flight and ground training schedules• Ensure that standardized training and checking procedures, provided by the certificate are adhered to• Assist the CP and ACP in all pilot record keeping requirements in accordance with applicable FARs and policies• Assist in the development and implementation of flight and ground training schedules• Submit required reports in a timely manner• Expected to operate advanced aviation training devices and operate full motion simulators as required• Assist the CP in the development of the aircraft checklist and Air Methods' Pilot Training Programs• Will assist in development and conduct (as appropriate): Basic Indoctrination Training, initial and recurrent ground training, initial and recurrent flight training, instrument training (ground and flight), and night vision goggle (NVG) training (ground and flight)• Other duties as assigned
   
   QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.
   
   Education & Experience• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience• Bachelor's degree preferred• Recommendation from a current Air Methods Flight Instructor or Check Airman preferred• Previous Instructor/Check Airman experience• ATP rating in aircraft category preferred• Commercial/Instrument rating required• Must meet total flight hour requirements
   
   Certificates, Licenses, Registrations• CFI / CFII (Rotor wing) or willingness to obtain within one year
   
   Skills• Excellent verbal and written communication skills• Ability to implement training programs (initial and recurrent training)• Ability to work in a collaborative manner with all levels
   Computer Skills• Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
   
   Additional Job Requirements• Regular scheduled attendance (7 days/7 nights)• Less than 10% time spent traveling (centralized) Subject to applicable laws and Air Method's policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods' employment practices and policies.
   
   This position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident).Air Methods is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find check airmen for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your check airman job on Zippia to find and recruit check airman candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit check airmen, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new check airman

   Once you've found the check airman candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new check airman. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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