how many of you

[Toy Soldier]

cdog

It is through NAFI - National Association of Flight Instructors. Here is the link with more information.

http://www.nafinet.org/mastercfi/index.html

It is similar to the Gold Seal (GS) in that it shows "accomplishment" in certain areas. GS means that 10 have gotten goes in two years while the MCFI shows that you have met certain requirements within two years as well. The MCFI is a lot of work however and must be renewed every two years.

Your packet goes before a board for review - then selection. The GS is automatic if you have the required "goes". More or less.

The FAA will count the MCFI towards a CFI renewal as well.

I am simpifying things here for brevity.... I hope this helps.

 

[Pipeliner606]

Well it never ceases to amaze me that some will preach doom and gloom no matter what the situation is. Some of the same people I see talking about how bad things are now, are the same ones who werent satisfied with things the way they were before 9/11. Guess you just cant please everyone all the time. Yeah, things are tough right now, but they are just as tough in other professions also. It's not just the aviation industry that is suffering. There are some guys here who seem to think the "airline industry" is the only facet of professional aviation, and that is so far from the truth it is unreal. There ARE jobs out there if you want to get out and beat the bushes and look for them. Not everyone wants to fly for a major or regional. The guys that do, CHOOSE to put up with the airline management problems and increasing government stipulations so they can chase that six figure salary. I have no problem with that if that is what they want out of life. Personally, I am happy to make less money and look forward to going to work every day and not put up with all that mess. I think that in the not too distant future you will see areas of the aviation industry that once were pretty small and obscure, start moving to the forfront, while the majors are still sitting there with their thumbs up their butts trying to figure out why they cant turn a profit. If you really want to be a professional pilot, dont limit yourself to aiming solely for an airline seat. Check out all the options, then make your decision based on what is best for YOU, and not because some furloughed airline pilot who is mad at the whole world because of his situation "told" you the industry is in a graveyard spiral to its final death.

 

[172driver]

If I were you I'd seriously reconsider a career as a "professional pilot." What's left of the "profession" is quickly going downhill, along with compensation and quality of life. The government and airline managements are quickly moving to undo any and all progress that the "profession" has made in the last 20 years

If I were you, I would seriously reconsider retiring then. In this post and others, you sound extremely bitter. While your points are valid, you have apparently lost perspective on some of the good things that make the job worthwhile.

I bet a year of 60 hr weeks in a windowless office with no travel benefits would make you rethink.

Managements in ALL industries are trying to cut costs, lower wages, overwork employees. That's their job. It's no better anywhere else.

To give a newcomer this doom and gloom is not right. It's just as bad as the Kit Darby optimism but on the opposite side of the spectrum.

I understand that your perspective will differ from mine with you having years more experience in the business. However, I know many pilots who have been doing it for decades and love it despite the BS involved in any job. You're bound to be more jaded than I but I hope to keep some perspective on how nice it is to fly airplanes for money, to appreciate a nice sunset from the cockpit, a beautiful view, a greased crosswind landing.

The BS from management is part of the total package. We will all fight it tooth and nail, but meanwhile, we're flying airplanes for a living. Not a bad gig in my book. Just have to adjust your attitude accordingly, appreciate what you do, enjoy it. Same goes for any other career and life in general.

 

[Toy Soldier]

As for me... even at the end of a "bad day" at the office I can say that my job is tied to an airplane. There are many that would give their left nut to have my job.

When I feel like complaining, I just remember the last two jobs I had in factories chasing 65 mulldoons that didn't wanna work.....

 

[bobbysamd]

Flight career optimism, pessimism and realism

Read some of my other posts. I could be branded as being negative, bitter, and having a bellyfull of sour grapes. Perhaps. Having said that, and bearing in mind professional aviation is not an easy vocation in which to advance, if aviation is something you really want to try and you are willing to put forth the effort to make it work, you should try. Otherwise, you will always have regrets. If I could roll back the clock thirty years, I would have tried back then.

You are a young person. Being young is the best time to start in aviation. This isn't the best time to be seeking jobs, but hiring in aviation always gets better. You can graduate from college and then be trained. The key is getting that first flying job. That is tough because of all the other new pilots seeking jobs. But after you're in a place you are building hours. Every compensated hour you fly puts you that much closer to meeting your career goal.

If aviation doesn't work out, you will still be young enough to pursue journalism. And, you will always have your flight time.

Good luck with your plans. I would check again on FSI's website about its cost. I think it's more than $44K, and that's just a minimum quote. Most people ending up spending more than that.

PS-I decided to check the FSI site. According to this brochure, $44K is accurate, but that's only for the Commercial-Multi-Instrument course. People also need a single-engine Commercial, which is extra. If they get their CFI (recommended) and get it at FSI (recommended, because you put your foot in the door for a job), that pushes the cost way up.