Midwest flying during the winter advice?

[BoDEAN]

The last week in Michigan has been terrible. I can't get any good weather to get up with my primary students. Anyone else in this whole? Can't train my students, make any money, or build any hours. I know a lot of people go to Florida and fly, but I am sure they are overrun with pilots this time of year. Any suggestions on keeping busy, buidling hours, etc during these winter months? I don't want between now and April to be a situation where little money, training, or hours occur.

First "winter" as a CFI, and just asking for opinions by others....

 

[Gulfstreamlover]

Does your flight school have a simulator you can instruct on?

 

[BoDEAN]

Does your flight school have a simulator you can instruct on?

No.....I wish. 172/152/Archer is what we have

 

[tk855]

Are your students enrolled in any type of formal ground school? Maybe you could brief with them.

 

[BoDEAN]

We have one going on now. 1 of my 5 students are in it. I could start one up in January...

 

[BankAccount=0$]

The winter is the perfect time to go out and hit all of the freight and charter operators. Use the time you're not flying to drop by and say hello. If and when this industry turns it's self around those are probably going to be the first places to lose pilots to the airlines. It's always good to build a relationship with people before they need to hire someone. When they need someone you'll be at the top of their list.

My old roommate started calling a local company the day he got his private, 2 years later when he had a multi-comm and 250 hours they hired him on the spot. The last piston powered a/c that he's flown was a Seminole for his multi-comm. checkride. Two years later he was sitting on a type for the EMB-120, all because he kept at the company.

Good luck, and don't feel bad the weather is just as lousy here in CLE for instructing as it is in MI.

 

[gnx99]

I instruct in Minnesota and I feel your pain. I think the best thing to do when you have to cancel a flight due to weather is to make sure you get the flight re-scheduled. Don't just wait for the student's next scheduled lesson to try again.

If they schedule 3 flights a weeks, make sure they fly 3 times that week, even if it means they do all 3 on one nice day.

 

[350DRIVER]

In Ohio we share one thing in common with you, wonderful winter weather. It will not help you much with regards to primary instruction but I always found the winter months to be great for my instrument students. I am out of the instructing loop for the most part but when I was in it I would do what I couldn't make in the air with "ground instruction" and have my students also dry fly the airplanes when weather would not permit a flight. Not a great position to be in and I know what you will be going through this winter, I just hope it is not a long drawn out winter....(That is why I am going someplace warm soon)


You may even want to look into a part time job working somewhere since I am sure there will be quite a few days where you will be grounded due to wx.

Good luck

3 5 0

ps>> I hope your boys up in Michigan knock off OSU this weekend.

 

[Iceman21]

My old roommate started calling a local company the day he got his private, 2 years later when he had a multi-comm and 250 hours they hired him on the spot. The last piston powered a/c that he's flown was a Seminole for his multi-comm. checkride. Two years later he was sitting on a type for the EMB-120, all because he kept at the company.

What sort of things do say to a company as a new PP with 40-70 hours to start a relationship?

Secondly, depending on the limitations of your school. Really scrutinize the weather. If all that is holding you back from a flight is a low cloud deck then file and get above it, cancel, do the instruction and get a pop-up clearance back in. Take your primary students up in actual to do their 3 hours of flight by sole reference to the instruments. Teach them techniques of getting out a cloud if they happen to get in one. Get creative with it all, if your school will allow you.

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks.
Any tips on finding cargo companies/operators in my area? AOPA AFD? Might be easier than driving all over the place seeing if there are cargo carriers at an airport.

 

[turning2]

Here you go

Good luck

2

 

[norskman2]

GNX99,

Where is MN do you instruct?

Go Vikes!

 

[BankAccount=0$]

What sort of things do say to a company as a new PP with 40-70 hours to start a relationship?

Granted it was a little ballsy, but I believe my friend told the chief pilot something along the lines of, "Don't forget who I am, because I'm coming back to work for you someday"
All I know is that he left school to fly turboprops and jets, while the rest of my friends were instructing, so I guess it didn't hurt to keep in touch with the guy during his training.

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks
Look's like the cargo companies want 2000 total time.... shrug

 

[Gulfstream 200]

yeah, with 400hrs i dont think you wil have much luck YET with the 135 guys..but that will come soon enough.

Winter is rough as a CFI, I really pushed ground school on students. They came to like it a lot and I made more cash than I did flying - and didnt HAVE to get out there in the freakin' cold and preheat 152's....rough.

Try and get every student at your school to go through it. Its really cheap compared to hourly flying costs - all mine thought they got more than thier moneys worth.

I also agree with Iceman's comments. There is A LOT you can teach a primary student above the clouds. Our school used to give them a little break on the bill if we had to waste time...still better than leaving the plane parked! Plus students loved doing an approach to get back in or under a deck. Heck, they couldnt wait to get thier Instrument rating..its all good for everyone.

Its not taking advantage of your students, its called being creative and making a living.

good luck to ya.

 

[sky37d]

Thanks.
Any tips on finding cargo companies/operators in my area? AOPA AFD? Might be easier than driving all over the place seeing if there are cargo carriers at an airport.

There are a bunch over here at GRR. Several operate out of Rapid Air, a couple off of Northern Air, and there is a town, S??? (mental blank, you'll know it) just north of here that used to have some charter stuff.

Oh, if you do cfii, winter is a great time to do instruments. I did my complete instrument thing 2 years ago, starting in January. Finished in March/April.
No Simulator time, all time in airplane. Learn to fly IFR in actual IMC. Learn to handle Ice, fog, etc. Great time to learn. Get a lot of night flying in.

 

[TurboS7]

Don't buck it just move to Florida.

 

[wmudriver]

Considering your airport is right on Lake Michigan, the weather will just get worse from here on out. I've lived in SW Michigan for 23 years. Very few winters will be light on snow, but some you have snow up to your nipples. Holland to Allegan is a prime area for lake effect snow.
I do remember a winter 2 years ago that I was out disc-golfing on December 20th and I was wearing a t-shirt (64 !)

 

[JRSLim]

What sort of things do say to a company as a new PP with 40-70 hours to start a relationship?

Tell them you are working on fulfilling your dream as a professional pilot, and could they let you spend a little time talking with them and around their organization to learn more about the industry.


.. and stuff

 

[Airpiraterob]

mightaswellgoforaFlorida!...

its now skydive season in florida.
theres a good dropzone near/around tampa/st. pete...i think a bit north....kings-something...i dunno. anyway they got turbine equipment in addition to the normal piston stuff. Last i heard anyway. friend of mine worked there for a bit and liked it. otters are fun.