Becoming an Instructor - Advice

[Okavango]

I've got the mortgage sorted, hold a CPL and built up enough experience in GA now to feel I have something to offer students so I'm considering an FI(A) with the intention of cutting my main job back to 4 days.

My thinking was filling in with part time instruction 2 days/week - Weds or Fri and Sat or Sun. I could even do 1 lesson/evening in the summer weekdays.

Do you think this is likely to be attractive to schools/students?

[mad_jock]

yep if you get the right school and you are good.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Sounds idyllic, although if I were you, given British weather, I'd try and negotiate a flexible 4 days on the main job. After all, if the weather's too carp to fly, you may as well be making money elsewhere, and better still, building up credit to take more than 2 days to go and teach flying when the weather's good.

G

[Treadstone1]

Unfortunately, what is ideal for schools is not ideal for the instructor.


What the school wants/needs is an on demand instructor to be ready to fly a trial lesson or fill in for other instructors at short notice.. with no commitments..


That's life... you will never make money as an PPL FI ever...Period


except it..Crack on, or Fu@k off

[Treadstone1]

Okavango...Please, this wasn't directed at you... its directed at ALL future FI's

[Okavango]

No problem - bit of a stern reply but that was kind of what I was getting at - do schools only want instructors who are available ALL the time.


I wouldn't be in it for the money as I've been around enough to know there isn't any, though because of that I couldn't commit more than one weekday to maintain a lifestyle from my regular job.

[sapperkenno]

I know a school that doesn't need instructors every day of the week, as most of their work is over the weekends and it runs fine with 2 or 3 instructors for the most part.
So if you can find a place like that, you're laughing. That's not to say any of the bigger schools work like this, but ask around and go visit places and see what's out there.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Okavango

No problem - bit of a stern reply but that was kind of what I was getting at - do schools only want instructors who are available ALL the time.


I wouldn't be in it for the money as I've been around enough to know there isn't any, though because of that I couldn't commit more than one weekday to maintain a lifestyle from my regular job.

I'm very part time, around 30-40 hours of instructing per year. My experience is that the school, or a syndicate who know me, ask me to do something very specific with a student that's within my particular skillset. I then organise it with the student around both our diaries. This seems to be the experience of the other part timers I know.

I've never yet been asked to be "on duty" at particular times.

G

[S-Works]

But the difference here Ghegis, as a CRI your use is limited. As an FI a school would expect more out of someone.

[Genghis the Engineer]

True - but presumably the situation wouldn't be that different for anything but trial flights. Students prefer to stick with one instructor, and arrangements are best made to mutual convenience.

G

[LS-4]

If money is not an issue and you prefer flexibility - what about clubs?

I've recently begun my first job (FI, SEP) at my local club with the goal of keeping things going and getting some experience. Got my CPL some years back, but the industry seems a bit difficult for those of us who want to avoid certain lowcost carriers for the time being. I don't trust the airlines much at this point and have chosen to continue studying in order to create some options for myself. That being said, I think it's great to fly hands-on VFR down low and even get paid a little for it. I'm not sure I could expect the same level of pleasure as a 737 FO. Most of the crews I've spoken to over the last few years didn't seem very happy, but I still hope to get a good job in the long run.

[Whopity]

I could even do 1 lesson/evening in the summer weekdays.

A nice thought but how many airfields are manned up in the evenings to facilitate ab-initio instruction. Most are shut down by 1800 leaving only out of hours flying on an indemnity basis.

[BEagle]

It will be interesting to see whether the very recent amendment of the Aircrew Regulation will have a significant impact upon 'trial flights'.....:

(13) Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012 allows certain flights such as cost-sharing flights and introductory flights to be performed in accordance with the rules applicable to non-commercial operations of non-complex aircraft. There is, therefore, a need to ensure that the privileges of pilots established in Regulation (EU) 1178/2011 are consistent with this approach.

(14) Therefore, it should be allowed to have flights of those categories identified in Regulation (EU) 965/2012 to be piloted by PPL, SPL, BPL or LAPL holders.

(15) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the Opinion of the European Aviation Safety Agency Committee established by Article 65 of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008

(16) Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly.

[mad_jock]

That's going to throw a spanner in the works.

[taybird]

I have a full time job. I instruct one day per week on the weekend, and am fully booked, all the time. My school doesn't expect me to drop everything to do trial lessons during the week because they know I can't make it. They are keen for me to work both days of the weekend because demand is so high, to the point where I am considering going to a 4 day week. I have had none of the issues you describe, Treadstone. Just offering an alternative experience...

[Level Attitude]

(13) Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012 allows certain flights such as cost-sharing flights and introductory flights to be performed in accordance with the rules applicable to non-commercial operations of non-complex aircraft. There is, therefore, a need to ensure that the privileges of pilots established in Regulation (EU) 1178/2011 are consistent with this approach.

(14) Therefore, it should be allowed to have flights of those categories identified in Regulation (EU) 965/2012 to be piloted by PPL, SPL, BPL or LAPL holders.

From past experience 'Definitions' have not been EASA's strong point.
To prevent any confusion I trust they will clarify what they mean by 'Cost Sharing', 'Pleasure Flight', 'Trial Flight' and 'Trial Lesson' and stating exactly what requirements need to be met in order for these to take place legally. eg: For 'Trial Flights' any minimum experience levels, or medical requirements for the pilot - through a club or just anybody.

I realise I am coming at this from a UK point of view (where there has not
previously been such a thing as a paid for 'Trial Flight') but I can foresee
confusion between 'Trial Fights' and 'Trial Lessons' and between 'Cost Sharing',
'Pleasure Flights' and 'Trial Flights'

[MartinCh]

I hazard a guess that it could be somewhat based on the Australian gliding scene model, where so-called AEI, Air Experience Instructors, are more experienced pilots checked out to fly from back seat (normally tandem 2 seater seat config) and are able to let the Joe Public try turns and S&L handling higher up, but not launch and circuit+landing.
Which does not necessitate regular basic or senior instructor, trained to be proficient at teaching/troubleshooting take offs and landings.

It's meant to show people what it's like to be in air/flying, to help them decide if they'd liek to take up flying/start training.
In gliding in general, it's not about minimum hours in log, although the minimum training to go solo could be prescribed in some countries or for 'glider rating/private'.

There is no equivalent of AEI 'instructor' in UK or Central Europe as far as I know. Power flying wannabes may want to have the flight loggable for future training and commercial schools or bigger clubs would likely still require certain experience pilots or indeed only instructors to conduct trial flights/demos for insurance reasons or what.

Person still pays at least for aircraft costs, so it's grey area indeed.

[fa2fi]

I managed working a full time job on a flexible roster and worked part time as an FI on days off and after work (if I was on a short shift) so it can be done. I'd get my roster mid month for the following month, I'd write in my availability and if there was work I'd get it. In summer I'd get a good amount of hours in.

So it is possible and I'd imagine if your full time job is fixed days and times then it would be even easier.