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How to hire a flight control specialist

Flight control specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring flight control specialists in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a flight control specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new flight control specialist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a flight control specialist, step by step

To hire a flight control specialist, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a flight control specialist:

Here's a step-by-step flight control specialist hiring guide:

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

    Before you post your flight control specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a flight control specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect flight control specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list presents flight control specialist salaries for various positions.

    Type of Flight Control SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Flight Control SpecialistAir traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to ensure that aircraft stay safe distances apart.$11-35
    Air Traffic ControllerAn air traffic controller specializes in overseeing and directing airspace traffic, all while maintaining an active line of communication with aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air travels. Generally assigned in ground control centers and towers, an air traffic controller's responsibilities revolve around utilizing technology to monitor flight paths, weather, and airport runways to guide pilots and airport personnel, coordinating with other control officers, inspecting and maintaining instruments and equipment in good condition, and alerting departments and assigned personnel should there be any emergencies.$12-43
    Traffic ControllerThe primary role of a traffic controller is to direct the flow of machinery and vehicles on roads and any other work sites. Traffic controllers coordinate, setup, manage, and remove traffic control... Show more$11-30
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Test Equipment
    • Flight Control Systems
    • Troubleshoot
    • FAA
    • Navigation Systems
    • Technical Data
    • Aircraft Systems
    • Technical Orders
    • Troubleshot
    • Medal
    • AFB
    • Automatic Flight Control
    • Flight Line
    Responsibilities:
    • Furnish key initiative in all parts of government and commercial contract/compliance and manage transportation, logistics and substance contracting exercises.
    • Collaborate extensively with U.S. military logistics units to ensure up-to-date processes, procedures, and authorizations for distribution of government property.
    • Serve as shift supervisor for ECM shop at RAF Lakenheath, UK.
    • Develop automation software for Allen-Bradley ContgrolLogix PLC and PanelView operator interface for chemical pumping system.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your flight control specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A flight control specialist can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, flight control specialists' average salary in kansas is 59% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level flight control specialists 67% less than senior-level flight control specialists.
    • Certifications. A flight control specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a flight control specialist's salary.

    Average flight control specialist salary

    $42,066yearly

    $20.22 hourly rate

    Entry-level flight control specialist salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025
  4. Writing a flight control specialist job description

    A job description for a flight control specialist 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 flight control specialist job description:

    Flight control specialist job description example

    1. Re-installs flight controls per manufacturer specifications and applicable technical publications. Installs inspection panels and assists with flight controls functional checks. Inspects flight controls installed by other team members and return aircraft to service.

    2. Removes and visually inspects flight controls from the aircraft and tags each flight control. Records part numbers and serial numbers and notifies team leader of damage. Accurately orders general and aircraft parts as needed.

    3. Balances flight controls by adding or removing balance or tuning weights according to manufacturer's technical publications. May inspect balancing work performed by other team members.

    4. Paints screws for flight control inspection panels and performs minor paint touch-ups prior to installation of flight controls.

    5. Prepares, signs off and understands various documents for record keeping purposes as required by Duncan approved procedures, manufacturers' maintenance manuals, and FAA regulations (i.e. turnovers, removal sheets, W.O. Sheets, FAA 8110-3 & FAA 337's, personal training log, item approvals and other work order related documents supporting review of squawks and expected hours).

    6. Assists with aircraft paint processes, as assigned, according to Duncan Aviation's FAA approved procedural manual.

    7. Performs other duties as assigned by management.

    Job Specific Requirements

    • Licenses/Certificate: Airframe and Powerplant Certificate preferred; Man Lift required; Respirator Fit required
    • Attendance: Regularly scheduled attendance required
    • Physical: Routinely lifts up to 50 lbs., occasionally up to 100 lbs.; tolerates products and materials associated with component maintenance; tolerates working in confined spaces and heights above four feet; tolerates standing for prolonged periods of time
    • Environmental: Tolerates working in extreme temperatures and noisy environments
    • Work Schedule: Must be available for all shifts

    Education and Experience

    Flight Control Specialist I:

    • High school graduate or equivalent required
    • Previous mechanical or paint experience preferred

    Flight Control Specialist II:

    • High school graduate or equivalent required
    • One year aircraft maintenance related experience required

    Flight Control Specialist III:

    • High school graduate or equivalent required
    • Three years of flight control experience or aircraft maintenance required
    • Five years of aircraft maintenance related experience preferred

    Available Benefits

    • Moving is expensive and hard work! Relocation Assistance is available for those that qualify.
    • Duncan offers a comprehensive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Vacation/Holiday) that is available to team members on day one.
    • Plan for your medical needs with a Health Savings Account (employer and employee contributions).
    • Save for your future through our 401(k) program where you can begin contributions within your first 45 days, 50% match on first 6% contributed
    • Participate in Duncan Aviation's Tool Account Program , to acquire & grow your Tool Inventory all while making interest free payments
    • Take advantage of a variety of In-House Training opportunities, or use Tuition Assistance to further your education.

    Duncan Aviation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

  5. Post your job

    To find the right flight control specialist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with flight control specialists they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit flight control specialists who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your flight control specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit flight control specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit flight control specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    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 flight control specialist

    Once you've found the flight control specialist 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.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new flight control specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a flight control specialist?

There are different types of costs for hiring flight control specialists. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new flight control specialist employee.

The median annual salary for flight control specialists is $42,066 in the US. However, the cost of flight control specialist hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a flight control specialist for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $11 and $35 an hour.

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