CFI Uniforms

[Ralgha]

To wear clothes first requires that you can afford clothes.

J/k, I wear khakis and a polo type shirt usually.

 

[JAFI]

The flight school I worked for shut down. I walked over to a larger flight school and asked about a job. The owner looked down at me and said he did not have enough students to hire me. I told him I had 18 students I would bring with me. The owner became intrested and said I would have to wear dress slacks and a tie. We were paid by the flight hour only ($8 per hour). I said, "are you going to provide the money for dress slacks, shirt, and ties? He said no. I told him no thanks, I would find a plane and go into business for my self. All of a sudden I could wear what ever I wanted if I went to work for him. I was the only CFI on the field who worked full time and would wear what ever I wanted, Shorts and t-shirt in the summer, jeans in the winter. I had lots of students and no one complained (except the CFI's who had to pay for their dress slacks, shirts, and ties.)

You can wear a Generals uniform and that doesnt make you a great military leader.

You can be a great military leader and an army will follow you to hell and back, regardless of your uniform.

 

[cubegirl7]

clothes do not make the instructor however good clean hygiene and clothes are important...my 2 cents

 

[Fly BI]

no uniform

We're business "casual" unless you are a helicopter CFI, then you just wear whatever's in the hamper.

 

[flyifrvfr]

I will be a CFI in about three weeks and I will dress casual. My female students will however have to wear the bathing suits from Baywatch, or if they choose, a cheerleader's outfit!!!!

 

[Learjetplt]

I agree with 100LL...again when you make it past flight instructor to corporate/airline flying then you wear the uniform. It just like kids playing dress up!!!!
Flight instructor attire should be smart casual. I see the Riddle Rats in Daytona Beach and laugh (sadly) when they go out the the local bar in the uniform. Now thats a professional pilot in training. Alas they know not what they do!!!

 

[b757driver]

By the way guys...it's epaulettes , not epilet or epolet!!! Hope your instructing is better than your spelling.

As for uniforms, it really depends primarily on the climate. Also, on your type of clientele. Way back when (in the 80s), my best ever instructing job was in London where we were easily distinguishable from our students and looked very professional. Smart grey pants, white shirts, school tie & blazer. Oh and we had name badges also. No hats, no epaulettes, no wings. Worked well for us and the look did project a professional image which is why a large percentage of our clients were professionals, some with their own aircraft wanting us to teach 'em how to fly it. Also, we were on salary and got bonuses. Ah, those were the days...!!

 

[nipopolis]

The people I see instructing in uniforms do look professional but they also look like they are playing airline pilot. I can't live on my CFI salary as it is. Add uniforms to that and I might as well pay them to instruct.

Nipopolis

 

[Goose Egg]

Wow, old thread. Yeah, I think that the guys instructing in airline uniforms look kind of goofy.

-Goose

 

[Clutch_Cargo]

Yeah, don't ever think that just wearing a uniform makes you professional. The quality of the instruction you give will be the main determinant in that. Still, you should look nice, that is a part of the equation. The place I taught at many moons ago required a pilot shirt, slacks, and tie. I think where the climate dictated, khakis and a polo would be okay too. Boards and hats... WTF, you look like a wannabe. Shorts and jeans are also a no-go.

cc