Hey Choppertop,
sure you will get a job as an FI, but the question is when?
right now your timing is s**t as you have probably guessed.
hours are falling now and clocks go back soon and what with the credit crunch
yada yada yada
it may be next spring before you can get anything, maybe march onwards.
but you may be lucky and get something straight away, no f****r knows !
When I embarked on my training just over a year ago, I was told there was a SHORTAGE of helicopter pilots and instructors. Bizarrely, perhaps, I actually WANT to be an instructor. No North Sea for me, thanks.
i have heard a few people say this, you will find after about 1000 hours instruction (2 years if your busy) that it will "start to do your head in" and that you do need to do something else as well or instead of instructing.
dont rule out anything, eventually the thrill of being paid to fly will change into resentment at being exploited and not valued by your flight school who provide you with no benefits that proper employees get, there arent many jobs out there that are decent and many value former military or north sea experience, if you rule out things you may have years of scratching about driving long distances for inconsistent pay.
good luck, CF