Advice requested! Airline pilot -> Instructor

[Daneflyer]

Hi.
I'm currently looking for advice on which route to take, to start a career as a part time instructor.

I'm currently flying for BA as an FO, but I have always wanted to become an instructor.
So was hoping to hear your thoughts.

The plan is to go part time so that I'll have at least a clear week a month to do instructing.

Ideally I'd like to become a MEP IRI one day. But all parts of instructing interests me. But I realise that' I have a lot to learn before being able to do that.

So do you think I should start with a FI(r) or would I be better off going for an IRI?
Also is the flying schools at all interested in an instructor like me?

Obviously the cheapest option is to start with an IRI. But I'm concerned that I won't be able to find employment...

Would also love to do MCC training or even ATPL ground school.

What are your thoughts?

[jonseagull]

FI(R). It's fun.

[taybird]

What jonseagull said. Harder but worth it.

[nick14]

You will need to be current and competent on the SEP (and MEP when you get there) and also be up to speed with current legislation surrounding General aviation.

If you want to do the IRI in the future it would obviously require a single pilot IR so getting that back would be worth looking into although you have to decide when it's worth doing it. You can teach for the EIR (when it get approved at ATO level) as an FI which would be worth doing.

[Cobalt]

Let me offer a different opinion:


What is it you ultimately want to instruct? If it is ME/IR instruction, I would go for CRI (ME) + IRI ratings.


The reason: If you go for the FI rating, you will need to get the restriction removed, which can be a bit of a problem, before you can do the ME and IR bits. If you work part-time, that can take a loooooooong time.


If, on the other hand, you enjoy turning pedestrians into aviators [as I did], go for the FI.

[taff_lightning]

By the sounds of it you want to do this because you want to teach? Which is a great place to start from.

I'd recommend the FI as it'll give you sold grounding to build from. I also think you'll get a lot out of it and deepen your understand of the training world.

You'll really enjoy it too!

[nick14]

Do you have the 30 hours MEP PIC time for the ME CRI? If so go for it, if not then your first task is to get the MEP time which is not cheap as we are all finding

[Daneflyer]

Thanks for your replies.

I feel that an FI would be the ideal place to start as some of you suggest.

Problem is job opportunities vs the financial investment. Not to mention that I'm struggling to find any school that offers a part time FI course.

Guess it's time to go and speak to some more flying schools.

Thanks again.

[dogsbreath]

I have been combining, or trying to, commercial flying with Instructing for nearly 25 years. It is not easy. I don't know where you live, probably down near Heathrow since you say you are BA (couldn't resist it could you Nigel), but you will find that there is enormous resistance to airline pilots taking instructor posts at flying clubs, even if they are only part time. You can argue that it is your hobby, it's fun and you just want to give something back, a lot of clubs simply won't buy it. Other instructors simply see you as a threat to their jobs, "taking our hours, etc." You may feel that you are giving the club the benefit of your experience, but believe it or not, lots of club members cringe at tales of flying B777s to sun-kissed beaches. If you break even on your investment, good luck.