when i did my helicopter rating in the us in 77 the instructor got $10 an hour it must have gone down since then.??
curtisjenny is pretty much on the mark and charlie foxtrot india is close exept for the fact that most new instructors don't get to negotiate for the terms or conditions of employment, thay just start and accept whatever is given. i agree that if you accept being exploited you have to live with it
it is the over abundance of willing workers that creates the problems that most of you face as you try to get ahead in this industry. supply and demand. the reason that some feel that it's exploitation, (and sometimes it is), is because you were not informed properly on the state of the industry prior to training, or did not do enough homework before setting off down the clay brick road of flying.
i see at the airport that i operate from, young eager guys that are here before me everyday, pushing out aircraft, washing and cleaning windsheilds, sweeping the hangar out and anything else that needs doing, some complain a bit (they are entitled to),most just get stuck in and do it. some bosse use them and other bosses try not to but there is not as much of a profit margin in flying training or charter as there once was. costs are getting out of hand and operators cannot cover these increases without losing customers.
unfortunately things are not looking great for the near future, you can all see that, so if you are lucky enough to have employment in flying then at least you can develop your future. think of the many others that can't get a leg in the door and never get a chance to realise the dream of having the best job on the planet.
don't give up, persevere. the rewards will come.
