I can't flight instruct

[dcramer16]

I will be finishing up my training with ATP Flight School pretty soon and have been thinking about whats next. I DON'T WANT TO FLIGHT INSTRUCT. Not because I'm too good for it, not because the low pay. I am not good at teaching. Some people can do it and some can't. I don't want to be an instructor just for the hours and screw up a bunch of students just so I can get my hours. If I am going to instruct, I want to be a great instructor, and teach, not just log hours. I will be finishing up with something like 150 Multi, 240TT, 90PIC. What are my options as far as getting a job and building up hours to move on to the regionals. I know I can instruct and be moved on to the regionals in a couple months, but how many students will I fail?? I hear jobs with the forest service are good out of training jobs. Does anyone else have any suggestions and/or links to these jobs sites. Thanks

 

[Lazy8]

If you really don't want to instruct then don't. But why did you get your instructor certificates?

Anywho, start looking and looking hard. Climbto350.com occasionally has job listings for low time pilots. Banner towing, pipeline stuff, etc... The jobs are out there but you're going to have to really work to find them. Also, keep your network open. Ask your friends in aviation... there's something out there. Be prepaid to start the ramen diet for a long while.

good luck

g

 

[Almerick07]

I know a guy who said if i get students like i was there is no way ill instruct, he didnt instruct an hour of his life. Flew traffic reporters, skydivers, aerial tours basically odd jobs. it took him a lot longer to get the hours hes got but he never flight instructed. in the real world most people wont touch you unless youve got atleast 500 hours....except flight schools, maybe give it a shot for a while. you might surprise yourself and enjoy it, i did.

 

[iflyjets4food]

I am not good at teaching. Some people can do it and some can't. I don't want to be an instructor just for the hours and screw up a bunch of students just so I can get my hours. If I am going to instruct, I want to be a great instructor, and teach, not just log hours.

Seems like a cop out. Nobody is GOOD at it from the start. Nobody just gets their CFI and is an excellent instructor. It takes work. I wasn't a good instructor when I started. I was up front with my students about the fact that I was new to it. All it takes is a little practice and a desire to try. The last sentence that I quoted above tells me that you'd try. I think you should give it 100-200 hours and see if you get better. At least give it a reasonable attempt before you decide you can't do it. Most people think that they won't be good when the only experience they have is with an instructor or the Feds.

 

[flyingnome]

I feel that flight instructon is good for all pilots at least for a while. I am sure you have heard it before but its true... I learned more about flying in the first 6 months of teaching than from my Private to my CFI. There is a lot to be learned by passing on what you know...

But if thats not what you are looking for then start pounding the ground looking for those skydive/bannertowing/pipeline patrol or the other odd jobs listed in Part 119. But many jobs will want you to have at least 500 hours for insurance purposes at least from my expirience, some 750.

 

[VNugget]

I don't have any advice to give you, but I commend you on your attitude about quality of instruction.

 

[siucavflight]

I will be finishing up my training with ATP Flight School pretty soon and have been thinking about whats next. I DON'T WANT TO FLIGHT INSTRUCT. Not because I'm too good for it, not because the low pay. I am not good at teaching. Some people can do it and some can't. I don't want to be an instructor just for the hours and screw up a bunch of students just so I can get my hours. If I am going to instruct, I want to be a great instructor, and teach, not just log hours. I will be finishing up with something like 150 Multi, 240TT, 90PIC. What are my options as far as getting a job and building up hours to move on to the regionals. I know I can instruct and be moved on to the regionals in a couple months, but how many students will I fail?? I hear jobs with the forest service are good out of training jobs. Does anyone else have any suggestions and/or links to these jobs sites. Thanks

Cop-out, no sympathy here, do what you want, but instructing will be the easiest way to "earn" your time, and when you get on a flight deck at a regional you will get a lot more respect from your captain who also had to instruct to get his hours. Also you will learn a lot more as an instructor and be much more prepared for a job with a regional.

 

[SPilot]

Grove pretty muched pointed out the direction for you, I'd just like to add my observation: there are plenty of jobs being offered for pipeline control, geomapping, dropping meatballs and hauling banners. Sadly though, they usually require just a few hours more than what you and I have, like 500TT, or at least if they are flying another type of airplane than a Cessna, they like you to have some experience on it. Flight instructing is pretty much the only job that is in such demand of more pilots that you'll get hired with close to no hours.

Sign up on Climbto350.com or planejobs.com and see for yourself.
Send your resume to some of those asking for pilots to fly airplanes for which you are qualified, and maybe you'll get lucky. Also, if you'd just instruct a few private-students and get just a few hundred dual given, it would put you alot closer to the usual minimums.

 

[papanovember]

Try instructing people with ratings already. Do BFRs IPCs etc. There are also people out there that own planes that wouldn't mind having an instuctor ride along. Private owners also usually get an insurance reduction if they regularly fly with a CFI.

Also I know a couple of guys that got jobs up in Alaska with just a wet comm cert. http://beringair.com/ http://www.frontierflying.com/

 

[navigator72]

Kind of late in the season to fly scenic tours but i flew scenics for 3 summers and had an amazing time and got lots of tips. Try to find a job at a DZ. http://www.dropzone.com The flights are boring and you don't get to log any x-cnty time but it's not flight instructing. Contact the dept of conservation in your state to find out who has the fire patrol contracts. It's long and boring (unless you find a fire) but it's not flight instructing.

I commend you for realizing you don't want to flight instruct, I have had CFI's who were clearly just building time and it sucked and cost me a lot more money to get my licenses than those CFI's who truly loved teaching. Stick with it and network, network, network.........