Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for King Air 350 Instructor Pilot

🎯 Role Definition

The King Air 350 Instructor Pilot is responsible for planning, developing, delivering, and continuously improving high-quality flight and ground training for crew members operating the Beechcraft King Air 350 and similar multi-engine turboprops. This position combines hands-on flight instruction (aircraft and simulator), standardized evaluation and check airman duties, curriculum design for Part 135/Part 141 programs, and a continuous emphasis on safety, regulatory compliance, crew resource management (CRM), and operational standardization. The ideal candidate is an experienced turboprop instructor with excellent communication and mentoring skills, strong systems knowledge of the King Air 350, and demonstrated ability to manage recurrent and initial training programs and remedial interventions.

Keywords: King Air 350 Instructor Pilot, King Air instructor, turboprop instructor, CFII/MEI, ATP, Part 135 training, simulator instruction, check airman, CRM/LOFT, training syllabus design.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

First Officer or Captain on multi-engine turboprop or light jet operations (Part 91/135/121)
Military pilot experienced on twin‑engine turboprops, transport or rotary platforms transitioning to civilian instructor roles
Line instructor or company training captain for regional or corporate operators

Advancement To:

Chief Instructor / Director of Training for a regional, charter, or corporate flight department
Standards & Evaluations Pilot / Check Airman for multi-aircraft fleets
Safety Manager or SMS Lead with an emphasis on training and operations integration

Lateral Moves:

Simulator Instructor / Simulator Program Manager
Training Curriculum Developer or Regulatory Compliance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, maintain and deliver comprehensive initial, transition, and recurrent training syllabi specifically for the Beechcraft King Air 350 that align with company SOPs, manufacturer recommendations, and regulatory requirements (Part 61/91/121/135/141 as applicable).
Conduct aircraft-based and simulator-based flight instruction including initial type/transition training, recurrent checks, proficiency checks, and remedial training with clear learning objectives and measurable outcomes.
Serve as a check airman or standards pilot conducting official pilot proficiency checks, line checks, and evaluations, documenting results and prescribing targeted corrective actions when required.
Create, update and deliver scenario-based LOFT (Line-Oriented Flight Training) and threat-and-error management scenarios that reflect the operator’s typical routes, operational constraints, and emergent safety issues.
Perform formal ground instruction covering systems, performance, weight & balance, flight planning, weather interpretation, regulatory requirements, emergency procedures, and aircraft limitations using structured lesson plans and instructor-led materials.
Develop and maintain up-to-date training aids, syllabi, briefings, e-learning modules, and exam materials that support blended delivery models (classroom, virtual, and simulator/aircraft).
Evaluate pilot performance against standardized proficiency criteria, providing objective, evidence-based feedback, and coach individuals through remediation plans until standards are met.
Maintain thorough and auditable training records, certification logs, and checklists, ensuring compliance with FAA (or local civil aviation authority) documentation and retention standards.
Lead or participate in recurrent program audits, internal standardization sessions, and cross-check activities to ensure consistency in instruction and evaluation across training staff.
Mentor and develop junior instructors and new-hire pilots through structured progression plans, on-the-job coaching, and periodic assessment to build a sustainable training pipeline.
Coordinate training schedules and liaise with flight ops, maintenance, crewing, and safety departments to ensure aircraft and simulators are mission-ready and training deliveries are efficient.
Support the implementation and continuous improvement of the Safety Management System (SMS) by integrating training data, event trends, and FDM inputs into curriculum updates and risk mitigation strategies.
Execute and document emergency procedures training and engine‑out scenarios under VMC and IMC conditions, ensuring crews can safely manage abnormal and emergency situations in the King Air 350.
Lead standardization and instructor workshops to harmonize training techniques, grading standards, and scenario realism across the instructor cadre.
Provide technical briefings and system-level training on King Air 350 avionics suites (e.g., Pro Line/Garmin/NX/EPIC systems as applicable), pressurization, environmental controls, fuel and electrical systems, and emergency equipment.
Participate in or lead flight test events, operational evaluations, and SOP validation flights to ensure that training remains aligned with real-world operational needs.
Administer written, oral and practical examinations, ensuring candidates meet all applicable regulatory and company proficiency standards prior to release to line operations.
Analyze training outcomes and operational deviations to identify trends, recommending syllabus adjustments, policy updates or targeted training modules to eliminate recurring errors.
Support recruiting and interview processes for pilot hires by designing and delivering evaluation flights, simulator checks, and behavioral interviews to assess technical and CRM competencies.
Assist in the development and delivery of specialized courses, including mountain flying, single-pilot operations, high-density altitude operations, international ops and night vision training where relevant.
Act as a visible advocate for safety culture in the operation, performing safety briefings, participating in safety committees, and contributing to incident/accident investigations as a training subject-matter expert.
Keep professional certifications and instructor qualifications current through continuous learning, attending manufacturer training, recurrent courses, and participating in industry working groups.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the procurement, configuration, and validation of flight training devices and full‑flight simulators used for King Air 350 training.
Provide subject-matter expertise for SOP and policy reviews, updating training content when operational changes, new tech, or manufacturer service bulletins are issued.
Collaborate with maintenance teams to develop system‑specific troubleshooting modules to improve pilot‑maintenance communications and expedite dispatch reliability.
Support the development of e-learning and mobile training content for just-in-time training (JIT) and on-demand technical briefings for flight crews.
Contribute to cross‑department emergency response and crisis management drills to ensure crew preparedness and coordinated organizational responses.
Help maintain an instructor qualification matrix and resource plan to optimize instructor utilization and minimize training disruptions during peak seasons.
Participate in marketing and client-facing demonstrations of the training program for contract renewals, customer audits, or prospective trainees.
Conduct occasional office-based tasks such as updating Ops Manuals, writing training bulletins, and contributing to safety newsletters.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Multi-engine turboprop flight instruction experience, specifically type knowledge and systems expertise for the Beechcraft King Air 350 (airframe, engines, pressurization, fuel management).
Certified flight instructor credentials (CFI/CFII/MEI) with current instructor currency; ATP preferred or meets company regulatory requirements for PIC/instructor roles.
Proven ability to design, deliver and assess Part 135/Part 141-compliant training syllabi, checkrides, and recurrent programs.
Hands-on proficiency with modern avionics suites commonly installed in King Air 350 fleets (e.g., Collins Pro Line, Garmin G1000/NXi, Collins Pro Line Fusion), including FMS programming and dispatch considerations.
Simulator and/or flight training device (FTD/FFS) operation, scenario creation, and validation experience with competency-based training methodologies.
Strong knowledge of FAA (or relevant CAAs) regulations, airman certification standards, and record-keeping requirements for training and checks.
Experience with CRM/LOS, human factors training, LOFT/Scenario-based training and threat-and-error management (TEM) design and instruction.
Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS), Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) concepts, and using safety event trends to inform curriculum changes.
Competence in flight planning, performance calculations, weight & balance and high‑altitude/density altitude operations for turboprops.
Proficiency with digital training platforms, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Microsoft Office suite, and training record databases.

Soft Skills

Exceptional instructional communication skills, able to explain complex systems and maneuvers to varied learner levels with clarity and patience.
Strong leadership and mentorship skills, building trust and elevating the performance of line pilots and junior instructors.
High situational awareness and sound aeronautical decision-making; able to model professional behavior under stress.
Meticulous attention to detail for documenting checks, writing training reports, and maintaining auditable training records.
Emotional intelligence and coaching ability to deliver actionable, motivational feedback while effectively managing resistance and remediation needs.
Adaptability and creativity in lesson planning to accommodate mixed-experience crews and shifting operational demands.
Collaborative team player: coordinates effectively with operations, maintenance, safety, and management stakeholders.
Time management and organizational skills to balance training deliveries, simulator time, administrative workload and program development.
Cultural awareness and interpersonal skills for working with international crews or multi‑jurisdiction operations.
Analytical mindset for interpreting training metrics, identifying performance trends, and driving continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent; strong emphasis on demonstrated flight experience and instructor certifications.

Preferred Education:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aeronautical Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation/Aeronautical Science
Aerospace Engineering
Human Factors or Safety Management
Adult Education, Instructional Design, or Training & Development

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1,500 – 6,000+ total flight hours (typical hires: 2,000–4,000 hours)
500+ hours multi-engine turboprop time; preferred 250–1,000 hours PIC in King Air or similar type
Demonstrated prior experience conducting initial/transition and recurrent training, check airman duties, and scenario-based LOFT instruction

Preferred:

ATP certificate or equivalent experience and regulatory compliance for Part 135/Part 141 instructor/check airman functions
Active CFI/CFII/MEI certifications with recent instructional currency
Prior experience as a training captain, standards pilot or check airman in a Part 135 or corporate environment
Experience working with full flight simulators/FTDs and validated training devices for turboprop operations
Familiarity with SMS, FDM analytics, and integrating safety data into syllabus updates

Note: This role description is intended to be used as a baseline for recruiting and program design. Specific certification, currency, and hour requirements may vary by employer, regulatory environment, and the scope of operational authority (Part 91/135/141). Always cross‑check with your company’s operations manual and the applicable civil aviation authority rules before finalizing hiring or qualification standards.