Location to CFI....

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I'm currently taking residence in Provo, Utah. I moved here from Houston 2 years ago because I wanted to learn to fly in the mountains. It has been an amazing experience, and well enjoyed.

By July I will possess CFI, CFII, MEI ratings and will be prepared to work. I'm thinking strongly about going back to Texas to CFI opposed to working here in Utah. 1st- due to the much lower living expenses costs. 2nd-( and most important) the flying weather there is simply better, I have spent countless days on the ground due to snow, icing, & low clouds here in Utah. I just feel as if my days as a CFI will be more enjoyable in an area where the flying weather is more friendly to a pilot flying trainers with no de-icing equipment.

Just wandering what other people's thoughts are to this subject.

Good day,

 

[Geronimo]

Well, I instruct in Texas and I like it. Although it is starting to get a little hot. You can find a job here, it just takes some patience in looking around. Good luck with completing your training. If you have any questions about flying around the Houston area, PM me.

 

[bobbysamd]

TX Wx

If Texas weather is anything like Oklahoma's, you'll fly more and still get great weather experience. It runs the gamut in Oklahoma - from nice days to snow to ice storms to thunderstorms, tornadoes, to safe IMC, to heat, to all the wind you need and more to develop your crosswind landing skills. Also, plenty of airports available to shoot many different approaches.

Of course, it gets hot and humid in Texas. Be ready to pony up to the power company for air conditioning. Other than that, you might like instructing better in the Southwest than Utah.

 

[ACE]

It's wherever you can obtain the best job. When you go to find a CFI postion look at the big picture. Look at there schedule book, are they busy comparitivly? Have they had a high turnover rate?Talk to some of the other CFI's there, see who you will be working with just not who you will be working for. Look at their aircraft fleet. How concerned are they about maintanice? Are they going to be arguing with you a lot when it comes to taking an aircraft that needs repair? Look at thier multi program. How long will it take you to obtain multi students? Some schools have a very weak multi program and only the cheif flight instructor gets the multi students. Other schools it depends on seniority. And last but not least, pay. Do you get paid for ground time?. I had one school I worked at where I got paid $25 and hour for flight and $15 and hour for ground. I ended up making less at that school than at one where I only made $12 an hour for both ground and flight. All because I had twice as many students at the school that paid me less. I was flying 120 hours a month. Crazy huh? Also see if they offer good simulators. Belive me the sim's help out both you and your students. You can work in the sim's in real bad weather and it really polishes up students skills. Good luck to you. Flight instructing is a rough way to live, but you will gain a lot of knowledge and expierance before moving on.

 

[Pilotadjuster]

Utah

Definitely look at Texas! Unless you get a position with UVSC (where I assume you are a student), the instructing opportunities in this state are the PITS!

After a year and a month of passing out business cards, talking to everyone who will listen about aviation, working through my school, listing on AOPA, GLEIM, NAFI, etc, posting fliers on bulletin boards (health clubs, etc), I have had exactly 3 instructional flights.

The economy has a lot to do with it, but I read guys bitching about all the long hours instructing and want to hit them! I would love to spend long hours instructing---though a year after passing my checkride, even with reading and re-reading manuals and aviation magazines, I feel as if I have forgotten a BIG portion of what I learned. Looked at my logbook last night and I have a whole 40 hours to show for an entire year, of which I paid for about 15...

Ok, I feel better now.....

 

[na265]

One of the guys I fly with has a son who is a CFI. He lives in Colorado Springs and is thinking of coming to HOU. He looked around for some CFI jobs and found at least three. Call MVP Aero and anyone else you can find, it souldn't be to hard to find a CFI job here. Good Luck.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

funny you mention it, I am in the same boat as you in regards to ratings and relocating to Houston...I lived there, on and off, in the 90s, and was planning to go back this December (with the CFII in hand)
last I checked though, things weren't really happening when it came to flight training, maybe other locals will chime in

 

[na265]

I think he also heard about something at David Wayne Hooks. They were wanting him ASAP. Might also try at Clover Field in Pearland. Hope this helps.

 

[Geronimo]

Just a quick note based on personal observation. I would stay away from MVP Aero Academy at CXO and EYQ. I would rather not go into detail. Just make sure you do your research.