CFI or what ?

[Skaz]

Question for you guys over in the States....

I'm going to move over to the land of aviation opportunity next year, and will be joinging the masses of unemployed pilots.

Now, Ive been thinking.....takes a bit of effort, but does work

Would it be best to get a CFI rating first and then build up to ME & IFR Instructor before hitting the jobmarket?
That way I could learn more details of how you folks do thing s over there.

Any helpfull insights would be much appreciated

 

[Toy Soldier]

I'll state the obvious first. ONLY having the CFI will limit your "market" and potential income. However, as a part-time CFI I had 12 students within the first two months!

I'd say get the CFI and start working. Then work on the CFII and MEI while you gain a little income. Unless you go to a school such as AIRMAN and knock out the CFI-II at the same time.

Having the MEI won't help you right off the bat if you don't have access to a twin. Hopefully you can find a school with one. Then you'll need to be concerned about the "minimum twin time" to be able to instruct in it. School and insurance requirements vary - obviously.

That was my two cents. Good luck with your move and CFI career course..

 

[Skaz]

TS thanks for the reply, appreciate it. But I think you got me a little wrong. Ive got 2600TT, 850ME, 650 Turbine, 450 night etc....the reason I am thinking about the CFI is that it might be the 'easier' option of getting the first job when Stateside. Then learning all the ins and outs of the aviation infrastructure over there might be easier as an instructor.

I would go the whole hog and do MEI and the rest if possible, not only to gain acces to a larger market of students, but to better qualify myself for possible employers.

Methinks getting a chopper CFI might be a good move too....

 

[Toy Soldier]

A friend of mine teaches in an R22 and makes $200/hr. Of course, he owns the chopper!

 

[mullet]

instruct as your last resort. put you resumes out at all regionals, freight, and 135 jobs you can.

 

[Toy Soldier]

I agree with mullet about applying aggressively. Start applying now.

I personally don't apply to everybody though - only those jobs that fit my personal goals. I couldn't go to the regionals and make peanuts - not with a family and farm.

I don't understand the "don't CFI" part though. I only instruct part-time but certainly do enjoy the $45/hr I get!

 

[newmei]

I agree start applying there is a quite a few places hiring you just go to look for them, they all have there wierd requirements. For instance seems Airnet really uses the 4 year to seperate the resumes. With those times you can find something.

 

[labbats]

I don't understand how you can instruct in the very system you are trying to learn and understand yourself.

 

[mullet]

I don't understand the "don't CFI" part though.

I just said use it as a last resort. It sounds like our boy wants to to go to regionals eventually, may as well skip CFIing all together. Save investing money into something not required at most 121 and 135 jobs. I was CFI for 2 years and used it as a entry level position but I had min. hours and needed to build up my time, looks like SKAZ has plenty of time so hopefully he can get hired soon and get that all important seniority number.
good luck

 

[Skaz]

wow, thanks guys, wasnt expecting such an overwhelming response from fellow aviators, it is appreciated.

mullet I actually dont have my heart set on the regionals or the airlines, I'm more of a corporate type. Ive been doing lots of aeromedical flying the last few years, and I think its my vocation. Airtankers has much allure too, and would be an interesting way to make a living, Ive got 3 years bushflying etc exp as well.
So itl be Airtankers, Aeromedical and Corporate I'm aiming for.

Toy Soldier I am itching to send out CV's, but its still almost a year before the wedding & thus a right to live and work in the States. Instead of rushing things, would rather have all my ducks in a row before we march off.
Hopefully getting my ICAO ALTP soon (writing in a week) and a FAA guy reckons I can convert the ICAO to FAA one.
That said, have put out feelers to some companies and the one or two responses were guarded, but optimistic.

labbats thats the point my friend. The best way to understand something is to teach it.


Airtanking and instructing in the offseason might be one way to go.....
I have a friend over here, who is from the States originally and he reckons his brother flies Air Force 2 ? maybe I should buy him a beer or two ...or three

thanks again guys

 

[Skaz]

Toy Soldier does that NAFI stand for ' No abition & f-all Interest?'

just wondering, we had the same saying in the SADF

 

[khsgt]

NAFI

NAFI - National Association of Flight Instructors

 

[Toy Soldier]

skaz

What's a SADF?

 

[WrightAvia]

S.A.D.F. = South African Defense Forces

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Forest/1771/

Be a man among men, join the Rhodesian Army.

 

[Toy Soldier]

------------------------------------------------------------------
Toy Soldier does that NAFI stand for ' No abition & f-all Interest?' just wondering, we had the same saying in the SADF
------------------------------------------------------------------

Naw, the last time I heard a negative slogan was from my navy days - Never Again Volunteer Yourself".!

All of my army unit sayings were "gung-ho". My army unit slogans were:

1. De Oppresso Liber! (ACO, 1st BN, 20th SFG)
2. All The Way! (4/505, 82nd ABN)
3. Let's Go! (BCO, 2/115th , 29th Infantry Division)

Soldiers that might have EVEN thought of coming up with a negative saying would have had a "blanket party"...

By the way, what was the saying for the SADF?

 

[Skaz]

ToySoldier in the SADF the troopies were 90% conscripts, so not the same as career guys. But, we still had a great 'Esprit de Core" (spelling?)
My unit was 1 Special Service Battalion, part of the 'Special Forces', and tasked with aggressive armoured reconnaisance.



khsgt sorry mate, when I read that I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my muesli breakfast!

 

[Skaz]

TS how much on average are you making as part-time CFI?

Any Fulltime CFI's out there, what you gettin' ? money wise of course - no bragging.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Skaz

Good question. I have 5 students - 4 primary and 1 instrument. 3 are going for PPL rides this month.

My rates are $45/hr - since getting my MCFI and ATP. However, I give one guy a discount because he is paying for two sons in his C182. Mom wants to start flying too!

I am so busy that I have turned down several student offers in the past few months. I just don't have the time to do primary students - since they need to fly more frequently. However, at the end of this month I will have 4 instrument students and one private.

I have been averaging 3 to 4 instructing hours a week this summer - because of the weather - it's been crap.

And yes, NAFI does stand for National Association of Flight Instructors..

Oh, skaz, I salute you fellow warrior!