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I need a new job!
- Thread starter Mungusaurus
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Flyairjason
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2003
- Posts
- 96
Hey Flechas,
Here are some ideas for you to consider that worked out really well for me...
1. Really invest in your students... How? Make them smarter pilots by including ground instruction in EVERY lesson... God knows we need smater pilots out there these days, and your students will see a difference in your level of instruction versus that of your colleagues... In other words they wont feel like your just trying to get them in the plane to further your career, and you will both have a higher level of satisfaction with the flight lesson. Utilize the wipe board, draw some overhead projections in your spare time to accentuate their learning with visual tactics, heck, even use a little model C172 to demonstrate stalls or cross-wind landings. In the end, your students WILL be smarter pilots, appreciate your teaching style, and your level of "client service" will be better than those around you. And right now, with the glut of CFIs, it's all about service... You gotta stomp out the knuckleheads around you but if you ALL look alike, the service will set you apart. Oh yeah, did I mention that you could turn the 1.3 or so hours you were previously getting paid for into 1.9 or even 2.0 hours of pay... It'll make a difference.
2. Remember how hard you worked to get where you are? Then act like it... These folks aren't doing you a favor with flight hours, you're providing them a SERVICE, and with that comes a fee. Lawyers do it, Doctors do it, and you know what? So should CFIs. If a student is 20 minutes late, they have to pay for it. I know that it sounds kinda cold, but their tardiness takes food out of your mouth, my friend. You are a business person, and you are operating Flechas Business, so act like it. In the end your students will appreciate your business code, and you wont get screwed by someone's lack of consideration for your time. Conversely, you can't be late or go on a smoke break or run late in your daily schedule either. Sometimes, it will happen though and with that, you have to be a sensitive and responsive business person... If you're late from a cross-country for a primary student who is excited about soloing, you may want to comp them an hour... We all like something for free, and it'll tell your student that you care about his or her education and time. You have to run your instruction as "Flechas little business"...
3. Take your time and have fun, my friend. If you put all of your heart into your flight instruction, it will be more fulfilling for both instructor and client. What's more, there is no hurry right now, dude... When I was instructing, I felt compelled to hurry with the time because back then there were plenty of jobs out there waiting. That isn't the case right now, but IT WILL CHANGE. If you play your cards right, focus on quality not quantity (i.e. a couple of hours of actual instruments with an advanced student is far more valuable than twice that time of touch and goes...) and provide business level service and billing, not only will you be poised for hire when this industry turns around, you can eat Mac-n-Cheese instead of the same ole' Ramen noodles. Heck, perhaps even buy me that beer you've been talking about. (hee, hee)
Hope this helps little bro, it sure made things alot easier for me... And guess what, I even enjoyed flight instructing.
Oh yeah, one more thing... Nobody is going to do you half of the favors they'll brag their doing you. Don't fly for free, and NEVER compromise your safety. If you do, you're perpetuating the machine... But then we talked about that didn't we? Good luck, bro!
Jason
Here are some ideas for you to consider that worked out really well for me...
1. Really invest in your students... How? Make them smarter pilots by including ground instruction in EVERY lesson... God knows we need smater pilots out there these days, and your students will see a difference in your level of instruction versus that of your colleagues... In other words they wont feel like your just trying to get them in the plane to further your career, and you will both have a higher level of satisfaction with the flight lesson. Utilize the wipe board, draw some overhead projections in your spare time to accentuate their learning with visual tactics, heck, even use a little model C172 to demonstrate stalls or cross-wind landings. In the end, your students WILL be smarter pilots, appreciate your teaching style, and your level of "client service" will be better than those around you. And right now, with the glut of CFIs, it's all about service... You gotta stomp out the knuckleheads around you but if you ALL look alike, the service will set you apart. Oh yeah, did I mention that you could turn the 1.3 or so hours you were previously getting paid for into 1.9 or even 2.0 hours of pay... It'll make a difference.
2. Remember how hard you worked to get where you are? Then act like it... These folks aren't doing you a favor with flight hours, you're providing them a SERVICE, and with that comes a fee. Lawyers do it, Doctors do it, and you know what? So should CFIs. If a student is 20 minutes late, they have to pay for it. I know that it sounds kinda cold, but their tardiness takes food out of your mouth, my friend. You are a business person, and you are operating Flechas Business, so act like it. In the end your students will appreciate your business code, and you wont get screwed by someone's lack of consideration for your time. Conversely, you can't be late or go on a smoke break or run late in your daily schedule either. Sometimes, it will happen though and with that, you have to be a sensitive and responsive business person... If you're late from a cross-country for a primary student who is excited about soloing, you may want to comp them an hour... We all like something for free, and it'll tell your student that you care about his or her education and time. You have to run your instruction as "Flechas little business"...
3. Take your time and have fun, my friend. If you put all of your heart into your flight instruction, it will be more fulfilling for both instructor and client. What's more, there is no hurry right now, dude... When I was instructing, I felt compelled to hurry with the time because back then there were plenty of jobs out there waiting. That isn't the case right now, but IT WILL CHANGE. If you play your cards right, focus on quality not quantity (i.e. a couple of hours of actual instruments with an advanced student is far more valuable than twice that time of touch and goes...) and provide business level service and billing, not only will you be poised for hire when this industry turns around, you can eat Mac-n-Cheese instead of the same ole' Ramen noodles. Heck, perhaps even buy me that beer you've been talking about. (hee, hee)
Hope this helps little bro, it sure made things alot easier for me... And guess what, I even enjoyed flight instructing.
Oh yeah, one more thing... Nobody is going to do you half of the favors they'll brag their doing you. Don't fly for free, and NEVER compromise your safety. If you do, you're perpetuating the machine... But then we talked about that didn't we? Good luck, bro!
Jason
Jason,
thanks a lot for all the advice, it's highly appreciated.
some of those things i already do, some i will from now on. but everything in there is great.
i have decided what to do, i'm leaving that place even if i dont get the job that i applied for, but that doesnt mean i'll be out of aviation, two students are coming with me regardless of where i go, so i'll be flying with them and mmarketing myself to find more.
see you guys up there, fly safe.
flechas
thanks a lot for all the advice, it's highly appreciated.
some of those things i already do, some i will from now on. but everything in there is great.
i have decided what to do, i'm leaving that place even if i dont get the job that i applied for, but that doesnt mean i'll be out of aviation, two students are coming with me regardless of where i go, so i'll be flying with them and mmarketing myself to find more.
see you guys up there, fly safe.
flechas
Mungusaurus
I'm happy:)
- Joined
- May 28, 2003
- Posts
- 129
treetopflyer
stewed screwed tatooed
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2002
- Posts
- 203
I am so tired of all the compalining, from the cockpit to the crew lounge to this site, a perfectly good rumor site and you frigin' nancy boys gotta ruin it too. I apparently am the only person who was not forced into aviation. Do these airlines have your family hostage? No well get out or shut up. The only reason you all complain is due to the fact that there is nothing better to do with all the free time you have at work every day. Please look around and appreciate what you got. As for those of you who spend too much time here posting on too many subjects ( you know who you are) find something else to do, honestly you would be alot happier.
Flyairjason
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2003
- Posts
- 96
Ailerongirl
Back in DFW!
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
- Posts
- 874
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