Crystal balls? What is the better move?

[Eric]

As an 800 hour instructor at a small FBO, what would be the better move?

Work at Flight Safety Acacemy as an instructor 50 hrs a month

or

fly right seat in a King Air 20-25 hrs a month?

Thanks Eric

 

[bart]

Easy, flight instruct. You can find numerous posts debating the merits here on this board. Just do a search of Kingair and SIC.

The only way I would recommend considering it is:

1) It is Part 135 with SIC required in lieu of autopilot.

2) They send you to training (which they must if it is 135). Without training the experience in the aircraft will not be as meaningful.

3) It is a salaried position.

Otherwise it is a bad deal. Logging SIC in a single pilot airplane is something that will raise eyebrows and invite further scrutiny of your logbook(particularly at 121 operations, so make sure that you have your bases covered before you do it.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Eric]

I don't plan on logging SIC. I'd log the sole manipulator time as PIC and I will go to FlightSafety or Simuflight.

Would the time as PNF count as total time?

Everyone still think more instructing would be better than a more complex plane, crew environment, and real world flying keeping a schedule?

 

[bobbysamd]

FSI Instruction

My $0.02 opinion may be biased because I was an FSI instructor eleven years ago. I think you should go there. The quality of the aircraft and facilities notwithstanding, the place offers decent benies, such as health insurance and a 401-K. Hourly pay has improved somewhat. Also, a great opportunity to learn, especially if you can work your way into a contract program.

When I was there, the management was mediocre. I was a coworker with two of the people who now run the place, and they are both first-class people. I also know the current Center Manager, and he, too, is tops.

At this point, you need PIC and multi PIC hours. You have the chance to build both at FSI. Moreover, during the winter, you will have opportunities to build actual with your instrument students.

Finally, I didn't realize that the place was again considering street hires. Last I heard, which was several months ago, the Academy had a long waiting list of its grads waiting to be hired

 

[350DRIVER]

Bart has made some great points. ( I knew I would agree with him one day)

Research this and make sure that you will be required as a SIC per the ops specs. Every KA is type certificated for single pilot operations and if you are "not" required per the ops specs then you may want to look elsewhere.

Would the time as PNF count as total time?

IF you log this time at TT you will also have to log it as pic or sic, I have not met anyone that was "right seat" and just logged it as TT. I am sure you can but I would not suggest it since that surely will raise questions at some point down the line. The guy in the left seat will be logging it as PIC and since you don't plan on being SIC ( I assume since it is probably because you are not required per the ops specs to be there and probably just cause of "insurance") then doesn't sound like a win win proposition. Unless you will get lotsa 91 legs where you can obtain the PIC time.

As for the experience factor, that is personal preference on your part to make the choice.


any more info. you have.?

good luck

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[LR25]

If your going to get training for the KA, in which you are not going to pay for, you are going to make a salary, then the KA job is worth it.

Like others said, make sure your barking up the right tree and make sure the ops specs require an SIC.

Getting the turbine and crew experience blows away the instructing job, just make sure its what you think it is.

 

[350DRIVER]

If this position will be salary, FSI (or comparable training), benefits, etc, etc, then surely that should also weigh rather heavily into what your final choice is. I personally would much rather be in a King Air versus a small training aircraft and obviously that gig "should" pay you more. It is much much easier to find a CFI job but the same could not be said "present day" with regards to finding a king air position. This may also make you more marketable down the line and will give you the multi time that most companies are looking for.

Don't just look at "how you will log the time", look at all variables and then ask yourself what would make you more happier.

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