Are student starts way down?

[HU-16]

I'm curious to how much of an effect 9/11 has had on new student pilots. I'm about to start my CFI and I'm getting a little nervous about the prospects of finding a job. The big pilot factory that I'm at has slowed down quite a bit. And rumor has it that you might have to wait 6-10 months for a job, there is a huge back log of hired but not working CFI's. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[utahpilot]

oh yeah...

I started instructing at the beginning of 2001. At that time, I had offers from every place I applied and jobs were plentiful at all the big schools in AZ, FL, etc. I took students from a waiting list at the school I chose and there were plenty. Now, we have a glut of instructors and students are more and more difficult to come by. Until the regionals start hiring again, I don't see this changing. Get a job at a big school if you can and plan on being there for a bit. You might get 135 mins and do cargo before you get to a 121 job. who knows?

best of luck

 

[jaybird]

I know summer At ERAU is looking bad. All part time instructors are being let go. Fall looks at or above normal from what I've heard.

Things do look like they are turning around though. In the last three weeks a few other instructors including myself, are leaving or have left for better jobs, after five months of stagnation.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Here in Green Bay, WI, the student starts have been UP a lot since 9.11! Interesting. One of the 2 flight schools here just got a Seminole. Our metro area is about 220,000, and this is the first ME trainer in town, and the only one north of MKE/MSN!

Cliff

 

[publisher]

consensus

Generally speaking, the schools that I talk to say things are on the rebound to normal as far as starts.

Most students are taking the long range view that this is a career and that six months to a year set back is not causing them to waiver from thier goals.

The fact is that, after 9/11, you have not been set back much farther than the average student in the early 90's was as normal.

 

[AWACoff]

Cliff,
That's wierd. I had a buddy who could only get hired part time as a CFII at one of the FBOs out of GRB. If they had such a glut of students, I wouldn't think he would have had to pull teeth to get a part time gig. On another note, Brennand (79C) just west of Neenah has had a twin for rent and instruction since at least the early '90s. Not that I would pay to fly it mind you....
See Yooooooooooo!

 

[Booker]

At my school enrollment is up about fifteen percent this year. Recently we even created a three-phase program to aleviate local airpsace congestion.

Booker
CP-ASMEL-IA
CFI-A

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI Jobs

Good comments, Pub, especially those on the long-range viewpoint of the career.

Finish your ticket(s) and start applying for jobs. Start at your pilot factory. It may be your best chance because schools generally give preference to their graduates, so you already have an advantage. Apply to the pilot factories down the street and farther away. Send out stuff EVERYWHERE. Drive your materials to places. Followup on your applications. Yes, it is discouraging and frustrating, and you will want to give up. I know. Don't forget, it only takes one opportunity.

Occasionally, Captain Mac at Flight Crews International, www.fcilax.com , lists instructor openings. I found one of my jobs through Captain Mac. FCI is worth belonging to, but not at this stage of your experience. See if you can borrow the newsletter from time to time. FCI is a great job resource for higher-time pilots, especially those with good time in heavy equipment.

Good luck with your job search.

 

[Chunk]

FCI...

Check that link....

 

[bobbysamd]

Flight Crews International

The link should be www.fcilax.com . I fixed it above as well.

Sorry about that.

 

[jaybird]

ERAU Layoffs

http://www.n-jcenter.com/2002/Apr/6/BIZ01.htm

There was a big meeting on Friday I guess this was covered. I knew it was only a matter of time. I don't know why, but they kept hiring through October and maybe even into November. At least the guys near the bottom got some experience they could put on their resume.

 

[bobbysamd]

ERAU layoffs

That sucks. Could they be transferred to Prescott? Though I'd bet it's slow there, too.

 

[AZaviator]

The pilot factory I'm instructing at has been swamped with students for the past 4-5 months. We've had several classes of 15-20 students starting the program since November. We've also hired approximately 10-15 instructors during that time period but have stopped hiring for the meantime.

The FBO's around town (Phoenix) are still slow, but are definetly picking up business.

 

[HU-16]

AZ

Thanks for the input from everyone. Hey AZ, I really appreciate the info on the Phoenix area, I've really starting to miss it out there and would love to move back. I bet you're up at Deer Valley, I will probably try to find work in that area. Do you have any news about the new Sawyer operation at Scottsdale? I flew out of the old one at Sky Harbor for awhile. Does anyone know how things are looking in the Minneapolis area? I grew up there and would move back there if there was a decent job market. Thanks again

HU-16

 

[172driver]

A little slow here too, enrollment wise. I think it's always slower in spring and summer though. People in school are used to enrolling in the fall.

 

[Vandal]

Flight safety enrollment is way down...instructors have to fight to the death in "the pit" for students. Oh the humanity....Seriously though my instructor, or ex-instructor (just finished single engine ad today, yay!), has had a real problem getting students, latest private class was only 7 students compared to the 25 that were in my class in september. May just be seasonal, but peeps at flight safety are hurtin'

 

[AZaviator]

HU-16

Unfortunately I don't have much info on the new Sawyer operation in Scottsdale, but I know they've been there for about 2-3 months.

You should definetly look into getting back to Phoenix and instructing here. Competition is high here, but there are a few CFI jobs around if you look hard enough for them. I've seen a few job posts for Tucson as well in the past few months.

Good luck!

 

[Wiggums]

Even in a good year March/April is the worst. Hopfully things will look up in the summer.

HU-16 - Things are real tight in Arizona, atleast in the Phoenix area. I'd have a backup plan if you come out here in case you can't get a CFI job.