I'ntl Flight Training Academy

[braidkid]

Hi,
I'm wanting to gather as much info as I can about this place in Bakersfield, CA. I have an opportunity to possibly work there in the near future and was wondering if it is a good place to work. If anyone could fill me in on quality of life and overall job satisfaction, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[propilot]

I worked there for over 2 years. It's a great place to instruct. You'll fly some of the best Raytheon maintained Bonanzas and Barons out there. Schedule is Bankers hours. It depend on your group, but ususally 7-4/8-5 with a one hour lunch. No nights or weekends(except when the syllabus calls for it...maybe 4-8 days a year). You're salaried, so weather/flight hours have no affect on your paycheck. Typically you'll have 2 students at a time. And the people there are a great group of guys and gals to work with. If I had wanted to be a career instructor, I would've have stayed. As for pay, I took a pay cut when I left...and I'm currently flying a mid-size bizjet...

 

[mmmdonut]

I've seen the place up close and personal. It is simply amazing. A great bunch of people work there and the equip is the best. If you get the chance and don't mind the contract, take the job.

Is Fred still in charge there?

 

[cforst513]

does this school have a web address? aside from instructing there, what is it like to learn there? i'm currently in the market for training and am open to anything.

 

[moving2vegas]

cforst513

Pretty sure you need to be sponsored by an asian airline to get in. That or have very deep pockets. There are way more affordable options out there, I'd keep searching.

 

[braidkid]

Thanks

Thanks for the info.
Could someone help me out as far as the interview is concerned? I'm at a loss as to what to expect. There's no info on aviationinterviews.com or anywhere else that I've found.

 

[bobbysamd]

Ifta

International Flight Training Academy, aka Airstaff, Inc., is a GREAT job. I've known about the place for at least twelve years. I have a friend who has worked there, I met Fred Hagihara in 1993, and I had an interview lined up for later that year that I canceled because I had taken another job.

The place is a clone of Airline Training Center Arizona, the Lufthansa school, and for good reason. All Nippon Air had sent pilots to ATCA, but when it could not accomodate all of its trainees it built its own version in Bakersfield. The places flies outstanding equipment, Bonanzas and Barons, and you will have outstanding, motivated students whom you will train to airline standards. The icing on the cake is the pay, which is excellent, especially by instructor standards.

Here is a link to a discussion about IFTA. Your interview will likely include a flight in a Bonanza. By all means, if you're offered a job there, take it!

Good luck with your interview.

 

[Monkeyfist]

Airstaff INC is no longer working with IFTA. IFTA decided to start hiring instructors directly. Fred now lives in L.A.

The work environment is unchanged (still a great place to work)

 

[JediNein]

The new site is at: http://ifta.aero/

Enjoy the Tule Fog.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[braidkid]

pay?

Just out of general curiosity.....anyone know what's the top pay at IFTA and number of years to get there? Something I should have asked during interview.

 

[bobbysamd]

IFTA pay

Just out of general curiosity.....anyone know what's the top pay at IFTA and number of years to get there? Something I should have asked during interview.

I heard, long ago, that top of scale is something like $50K-$60K. Don't know how many years it takes to get there.

Probably not as good as you'll make at Boeing or even at a good commuter, but it's much more than many others earn and is still not too shabby.

 

[ilkwamh2]

I had an interview with IFTA back in Nov. 03. The interview consisted of 1) about a 25 question written test on FOI, general FAR/AIM stuff 2) a group panel interview on technical stuff and H.R. stuff 3) then if you pass that part, you get to teach a maneuver on the ground to a check airman, and then teach that maneuver in the air in the Bonanza. They will also have you intercept a course to a VOR and a bearing to an NDB, and then fly an ILS approach back to Bakersfield. That's the interview pretty much. I got a call about 3 days after I interviewed. I was offered the position but did not take it because of the 2 year contract. I would have had to stay until Dec. 2005. There is no written contract, the 2 year contract is just a gentleman's contract. So if you leave early, basically you're burning bridges. As far as the facilities, top notch...as far as Bakersfield the city itself is the armpit of Cali. Hope this helps.

-W