4 Reasons to Become a Lockheed Martin F-35 Instructor Pilot
Lockheed Martin is hiring contract instructor pilots (CIPs) across the U.S. and internationally to help train F-35 aviators. Why join Lockheed Martin over the airlines? Here are four reasons why this could be the right move for you:
1. Continue Supporting the Mission
Just because you’re no longer wearing the uniform doesn’t mean you can’t be intimately involved with the mission. As an F-35 CIP you play an important role in equipping the U.S. military and its allies by ensuring pilots are well trained today to accomplish the missions of tomorrow.
Travis Byrom, a retired F-16 pilot, is one of many Lockheed Martin instructor pilots who continues to support the F-35 training mission since retiring from the service.
“Working with the fighter community was an easy choice,” Byrom said. “Being an active part of the fighter pilot community, continuing to contribute to the defense of our nation, and fulfilling work were all at the top of my list of desired job characteristics when it came to deciding what I would do after retiring from the Air Force. Training the next generation of pilots who will go into combat with this airplane is important and rewarding work.”
2. There’s Never a Dull Day
We’re going to be honest: If you’re looking for a boring job, this isn’t the one for you. With nearly 400 F-35s in the fleet today supported by approximately 800 pilots and 7,500 maintainers, the F-35 is the tip of the spear for combat air power and is deployed around the world today.
As an instructor pilot, you’ll be working with the best and brightest fighter pilot students from all over the world, teaching them to fly the most advanced fighter jet ever built. There’s never a dull day as a Lockheed Martin instructor pilot.
Join Lockheed Martin as a Flight Instructor Today
3. Share Knowledge with the Next Generation
Not many things are more gratifying than passing the wealth of information you’ve learned on to the next generation.
Christine Mau, who flew the F-15E and was the first-ever female F-35 pilot, is now a Lockheed Martin instructor pilot, working with experienced cadre of experts at Eglin AFB, Florida.
“I love teaching,” Mau said. “You get energy from teaching young folks – in the Air Force, there’s always an influx of youth, and that’s rejuvenating to teach them and pass on what you’ve learned to the next generation.”
4. Work with the Best
The professionals who work on the F-35 training team are second to none. They include retired military aviators with diverse and impressive backgrounds, as well as a large contingent of experienced subject matter experts.
F-35 technology is second to none, but the tech alone isn’t the advantage. It’s the men and women equipped to use it – with the right training – that make all the difference.
Interested in a role on our flight instructor team?
