I dont know what to do

[Ace757]

I dont know what to do. I recently finished up my CIME, have
300TT and 100 multi. The problem is that I am still in college, and they are not to keen about me flying there because they hold a grudge that I did my training at one of the major academies. Im glad I went where I did. I belive I got the best flight training I could get and I still stand by my decision of not doing my flight training at my college. I have 2 years left and I need to stay current. Besides the University Airport, the next closest airport is about an hr away, so flight instruction is pretty much out of the question since I am taking 16hrs, and would have to commute to get my CFI ratings, and to instruct. What is my best option?

 

[Typhoon1244]

Just to give us some perspective, where are you? (I will understand if you don't want to name the college...)

 

[Ace757]

I would say im about an hr and a half west of you if ur based in ATL. Good FB team (this yr atleast)

 

[Typhoon1244]

Actually, I'm based in Dallas, but...an hour and a half west of Atlanta, huh? West of...oh no! Get lost, you stinkin' pile of Alabama trash! Go Vols!

Nah. I'm just kidding. (About the trash part, not the Vols.)

(Go Vols!)

Let me get this straight. They're not letting you enroll in the CFI/II/MEI course because you sought training elsewhere? That's crap. Gotta be someone you can appeal to...

 

[Ace757]

yea...well they are having a lot of problems with the program right now. It is poorly managed, and there are a lot of politics down at the airport. I dont think you would find one student there right now that is happy with there training.

 

[Ace757]

Typhoon.....where did you do your training?


GO ASA!

 

[Typhoon1244]

Typhoon.....where did you do your training?

My father taught me in Knoxville, TN...up through multi-commercial. Did that with a free-lance instructor in Arlington, TX. After killing some time in the Army, I did my CFI/II/MEI at FSI Vero beach...the seat of greed in aviation training.

 

[Ace757]

Yea....I just finished up at FSI......lots of stan, thats all I can say. Its good though.

 

[sbav8r]

Is transfering to another school out of the question?

 

[Ace757]

Financially im pretty set at this school, and there arent a lot of schools around the country that offer a buisness degree in aviation. Gotta have something to fall back on ya know.

 

[AZaviator]

If I were you, I'd continue to make the college degree your primary focus, given the current state of the job market for pilots. You might want to try getting your CFI rating during the summer between school years when you aren't in class full time.
Get your CFI one summer, then your CFII/MEI the next one? You can always go to a place like Sheble's and get it done in just a few weeks at most. That way, when you're finished with college, you'll have your CFI ratings and your degree.

Anyways, just a suggestion. Best of luck to you!

 

[stillaboo]

Financially im pretty set at this school, and there arent a lot of schools around the country that offer a buisness degree in aviation. Gotta have something to fall back on ya know.

So, your fall back, in case the aviation industry goes to crap, is . . . aviation business?

I guess that's better than Aviation Science, but I've seen more diversity at a 'Bama reunion than that, and we all know how it goes down in 'Bama - you on your sistah'!

Go Gators!

-Boo!

 

[Mongolikecandy]

"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily"
-Bluto

 

[Ace757]

I will see what I can do about the whole CFI thing, but it doesnt look good right now where I go to school.....oh....and its not BAMA, ....think of who else is gonna tear you apart in FB this yr. You were close though.

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI

I'm a former FSI instructor, from 1991-'92. You made a good choice of schools, and the standardization will serve you well down the road.

Why not get your CFI next summer? I would go back to FSI and get it there if I were you. It'll be all the stuff you know already, but out of the right seat. The place offers a very good CFI course. I know; I trained three students for their CFIs and nearly finished a fourth when I was there. Yeah, it'll cost you, but getting your CFI at FSi could be the path of least resistance for training and maybe being set-up for a job there after you finish college. You did discuss that with Mr. L, didn't you?

I second AZaviator on making your degree your primary focus. Your degree will serve you, no matter what you do.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Re: CFI

Why not get your CFI next summer? I would go back to FSI and get it there if I were you. It'll be all the stuff you know already, but out of the right seat.

And now that Kevin P. is gone, the place isn't such a drag anymore.

Bobby's right, though. Press on with school, worry about CFI training over the summer.

 

[KickSave]

This might sound silly, but if your financial situation is not strained, why not buy a small cheap plane for yourself. If you have decent credit and/or your parents are able to help out, you can pick up an airworthy 152 or old Piper for something like what a new Honda Accord costs. Make your payments, use it when you want, stay current and build hours, and sell it when you are done. I understand this might not be feasible, but if it is, then you'll be set in terms of currency, and you will be a real hit around the frat parties

 

[NuGuy]

Hiya Ace,

Yes, you have run into a problem that I have seen at a number of university/college programs (even small ones). You get your ratings somewhere else (even just one) , and all of a sudden, your a scammer who has dodged the system and someone unworthy.

I have never understood that. The problem is that in those type of university programs, the "empire builder" personality is usually drawn to the head position, followed closely by their little groupies, and the next thing you know, its like some sort of temple where only the "worthy" may enter. I've seen the VERY same thing at the CAP where people sit around comparing how much "complex" time they have with each other.

The sad result is usually an inbred program. You really need outside ideas to keep a program fresh. Plus alot of those programs have sqeezed the fun right out of flying, which is the worst crime of all.

Your first priority is to finish school. Do as the other poster suggested, and go back to FSI (or someplace else) over the summer and do your CFI/CFII/MEI. If you have school remaining after that, freelance until you graduate if you can...you can set your own schedule and you are still keeping current.

If you can find someplace to rent from, its usually fairly easy to draw students from the university program. Some folks just don't react well to the political nonsense that is involved in some flight programs, and others have no interest in a aviation degree, but just want to fly in a casual "hobby" atmosphere, and yet others want a less expensive alternative.

By offering a more laid back, part 61 alternative, you have a ready market. The best thing is when you get the "other" department professors flying with you, all of a sudden you have more business than you can handle because of word of mouth

Good luck to you,
Nu

 

[Ace757]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think my best bet would be to do all of my instructor ratings at FSI, since they hier most of the instructors that go through the program, and there are also tons of oppotunites with regionals after you get finished. They seem to have the hook up. As far as the university goes....its way to political, and I would be wasting my time trying to instruct there. Im very happy with the training I received and im glad that I attended FSI. Oh....and Typhoon.......I'll see your Vols in our stadium in Oct. "War **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** Eagle"

 

[Ace757]

Hey......!!! They sensored out our battle cry