Just how important is the CFII over CFI?

[BoDEAN]

Just curious.
I am going to get the CFII in the next month or two, but how much more important is that for someone striving to get to the regionals/airlines.

 

[Northern Lights]

CFII is very helpful

The double I is a great asset. You will really learn the IFR system well, and your confidence will increase greatly after teaching even a few instrument students.

At the airlines you fly IFR. You don't run around the pattern all day or do steep turns and stalls.

 

[SUPREME NTM]

It has an extra I..
Sorry I couldn't resist....

But seriously, it does increase your overall understanding of the instrument world. Because now you have to teach it. And you can't (or at least you shouldn't) B.S your way out of it.

Later...

 

[Northern Lights]

Also I would recommend subscribing to "IFR" and "IFR Refresher"

 

[350DRIVER]

I will second the above by Northern Lights, do subscribe to those two.


It is not really a matter of just obtaining the II, pretty much anyone can pass the ride with a few exceptions. What is more important is what you do with it once you have earned/achieved it. You will only get out of it what you put into it... I would go above and beyond what is tested/expected and know the IFR environment extremely well since that is what most of your career from this point forward will be based on especially if you are looking to go to the regionals at some point in the future. Quite a few of the airlines will have you take a IFR/ATP written exam as part of the interview process also so absorb and understand as much as the information as possible this time around to save from having to do study part II all over again down the line.

good luck,

3 5 0

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Being a CFI with 450hrs, getting a CFII is a great idea.

It should cost you minimal - if anything.

At one school I worked at being a CFII got you a few more bucks/hr also.

Get as many ratings as you can - MEI AGI IGI etc..

 

[labbats]

The key I have seen is what the above posters say about understanding the system. When you aren't concentrating on flying the plane, and you can see things coming at you wayyy ahead of time, you really figure out the IFR system for yourself.

Also, there's no solo time in Instrument training. So all that BS you put up with on signing for a solo ride or missing out on half the flying time of every private student is gone. I build time and get paid more for every instrument student. Not to mention part 141 stage 3 is all long XC. I usually go somewhere far and eat good food.

P.S. Bodean, I sent you a reply to your PM a while ago, but the same day sent a couple others. Apparently none were recieved. Apologies.

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks

IFR and IFR Refresher, get them both?
One isnt prefered over the other?


lab: Didnt see any PM's. No worries

 

[Northern Lights]

Yes, get them both.

Usually you can get an introductory rate of around $24 per year.
"IFR" uses a little humor to lighten things up a bit and "Refresher" is more of an informative "just the facts" publication.

Both have great articles on all areas of IFR operations. "Refresher" usually has an accident analysis which I find useful. I always read it and think "I will not let that happen to me!"

 

[jimmyw]

Those aspiring a career in aviation will undoubtedly gain a wealth of knowledge teaching instrument students.You will learn many things you missed out on during your own instrument training. Sitting in the right seat is a good way to get rusty flying, but a great learning experience.
Jimmw

 

[Tooslow]

Regional Airlines like to see "all available certificates and Ratings". It shows that you strive for 100%......I have seen it in interviews, "why didn't you get your ATP yet?" for example..

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI-I

I answered BoDEAN on this query on the other forum, but wanted to reiterate my points for readers here.

You absolutely, positively want to get your CFI-I, and MEI. No disrespect intended to the folks who spray for bugs and fight fires, but instruments and multiengine are the essence of professional aviation. They are how people and freight-haulers do business. You want to learn as much as you can about instruments and get as much IFR system experience as possible. There is no better way to get it than to teach it, short of actually flying it, not to mention that you acquire a tremendous amount of book knowledge when you teach it.

I second Tooslow. You indeed want to present the best credentials possible. Fate sometimes controls the type and quality of experience we can offer, but we have absolute control over our certificates and educational quals. Leaving the college debate aside for the moment, there is no reason not to offer all pilot ratings, all instructor ratings, all ground instructor ratings, and your ATP when the time comes, even if you must earn it on your nickel. You short yourself against the competition if you do not offer all ratings. Offering seaplane, glider ratings, etc. are icing on the cake.

 

[CDVdriver]

All of the above

It will increase your chances being hired as a flight instructor in the first place.
If you scan the ads most want CFI/CFII.
When I started out as a fresh CFI, 4 0ut of the 5 schools I went to for a job asked for CFII also.
Had the CFII for 1.5 years now and more than 400 instrument instr.given. Which is the requirement for Chief Instr.141 (instr course) Hey you never know how long you have to stay in this game.
Chances of actual IFR are pretty slim where I fly(FL) so I file IFR with a student as soon as we can start doing holds and VOR approaches. One reason is that I can relax a little more since somebody else is also (at least partly) responsible for keeping me from running into somebody else and you can spend a little bit more time in the cockpit helping your student.
The other reason is I log the time on an IFR flightplan in a separate column in my logbook so when the big day comes I can compensate a little for my low actual time.
So in my case 350 IFR and 60 actual.....