Lewis University

[Illini Pilot]

anyone know much about Lewis, specifically employment as a CFI?

 

[TDTURBO]

I heard it was pretty good, also I know SunAero is hiring CFI's for both rotor and fixed wing. AAA might be good as well even CBA has an opening if you don't mind the drive to Lansing (IGQ).

 

[DX Rick]

anyone know much about Lewis, specifically employment as a CFI?

I was there about 3 years ago, and all CFIs had to wear uniforms with stripes. No joke.

Recently I heard the pay is below par.

 

[Illini Pilot]

I was there about 3 years ago, and all CFIs had to wear uniforms with stripes. No joke.

Recently I heard the pay is below par.

yea, i've heard its like that mon-thurs and polos fri-sun

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

If you are looking at Lewis for employment (CFI) stay away. I want that position still available for when I am ready. HAHA

 

[siucavflight]

I have had a few friends who have worked there. Never heard anything good about either the job or the program. But it cant hurt to try it out yourself and see if it works for you. If not you can always quit.

 

[AlabamaMan!!]

Yeah...you get to wear flight engineer stripes on top of it. The assistant chief pilots wear F/O bars and the chief pilot is apparently the Captain.

From my experience, most of the instructors wouldnt go out on windier than usual days, avoided IMC (not talking low IFR days either), and they have a twin that loves to sit in Mx more than fly.

I think their rates are higher than normal also, but its been 10 years since I was there. Hopefully things have changed around a little.

 

[flyboyzz1]

Old crap planes

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

IMO I don't think it is that bad of a gig. You are given 10 students that you can work with Mon-Sat, full benefits, paid tuition if you would like to further your education. We have 152s 172s 182RGs and a pa44-180. A couple of the 172 are newer maybe 00s fuel injected pretty nice. A new 02-20 runway was completed last year which allows us to fly a lot more. Talks of a tower in 07. Lewis has a policy that when winds are gusting over 25 all planes are grounded. Any more questions PM me.

 

[freeflyer14]

I can think of at least one pain in the ass instructor there too...... sorry Megan, I really never liked you!!! j/k, hows things???

 

[freeflyer14]

On a more serious note, i worked there for about a year before leaving for my current job (see profile).... LewisU is correct - 10 students, they each fly 3 times a week, 2 hour blocks, work 6 days a week 7:30-5:30. In the summers, you make your own schedule, some of your students will stay around for the summer, some are not local and go home. Full benefits. Free Tuition. Great group of instructors (with the exception of a certain one ...) the chief pilot and asst chiefs are great people, they do not micromanage. One poster previously mentioned not flying in high winds, I found everyone would fly right up to our insurance imposed 25knot rule, which yes, sucks... I took my students in actual as early and often as possible, and a lot of others do too. The chief does not care, unless you are obviously and carelessly flying through crap you shouldn't.... The maintenance is good (I'm an A&P, can tell the difference). Never had an issue that didn't get attention, and nothing unsafe. The uniforms yes suck, you wear them during the school year (not in summer), mon-thurs, any other day is a polo and shorts if its hot. What I liked about lewis compared to other instructing jobs (it was not my first) -

10 students, given to you, no marketing, cold calling and searching for intro flights

Full Benefits, almost unheard of in this day and age for an instructing job

Free Tuiton, get a masters

Multi time, if you have a student going into the twin and you are a MEI, its your student, none of the "multi students only fly with the chief pilot" crap like at some flight schools.

Set schedule, although if it is a crappy day weatherwise, you can either do ground, or not come in at all (I tended to go back to bed if I woke up and it was 200 and 1/2)

I do miss the set schedule and being home every night sometimes, especially when getting up for another "O'Dark Thirty" showtime in BUFU. And you will not find a better group of instructors...

 

[DX Rick]

Old crap planes

How would you know CHIEF?

Keep holding out for that Jet job buddy.


PS...call me, pr!ck

 

[Metro752]

Who has the scoop on Lumanair @ ARR

 

[siucavflight]

Who has the scoop on Lumanair @ ARR

Are they still around?

 

[Metro752]

yes. they have at least 3 172SPs, but i'd like to know about their MX and such