MECIR or Instructors Rating?

[flying139]

Just wondering which is more likely to land a job as I have recently obtained my CPL. I would like to Instruct however the possibility of no employment once receiving an instructors rating is throwing me off. Any advice is much appreciated.

[Capt Fathom]

Type MECIR Instructors Rating into the Advanced Search Function, and select The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions forum to search.

There are several recent discussions on this.

[kingRB]

You need to choose what direction you want your career to take for now if you are low hours. Having both eventually are very beneficial but in the sub 1000 hour bracket will define where you probably end up working. If you are worried about not getting guaranteed employement from doing an instructor rating, I can assure you the MECIR doesn't offer any magic ticket to initial employment either.

[Bankrupt84]

If you can secure employment with the company doing the instructor rating then that would be the way to go.

Not many companies will be looking to hire someone onto a twin flying IFR for the first job.

Other than that its anybody's guess what is the way to go.

Perhaps do neither, go out to a station find some work flying a 182/206, save the cash, get 1000hrs and return to the big smoke to do your MECIR.

[Aussie Bob]

A company I know personally recently advertised for a Grade 3 instructor and had over 50 applicants.

The thing is, if a fresh grade 3 had knocked on the door the day before the ad was placed they would, in all likelihood, have got the job.

[DeltaT]

Do neither.
Spend the money on travelling around employers and then the type rating your eventual employer will ask for.

[Ramjet555]

I'd like a dollar for every time I've heard this comment.

What I'm hearing is a "fear of failure" and if you think you won't get a job, you are dam right.

You need to give yourself a check up from the neck up, call it an attitude adjustment, get your Instrument rating and head for where jobs abound except it will cost as much as a ME rating to get there and back, just in case you believe you won't get a job.

With an attitude like that, I don't think you are cut out for instructing.

[rgmgbg01]

According to Wikipedia...

".... a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers........."

[DeltaT]

The comment is from experience and what I would do if I had my time again.
Not to listen to the training institution as to what I should be spending my money on.
The reality is, just who the heck is going to get some brand new CPL to be flying IFR? Name me those companies.
The instructor rating might work for you, I took that route, and while it did gain me some hours, it also trapped me into a role with no commercial experience for some time. I think that money is better spent on a first aircraft rating that gets me a job.
I stand by recommendation from being in the aviation industry for a period of time that probably matches the age of some of you.

I'd like a dollar for every time I've heard this comment.

Considering at the level of brand new CPL you only have the options of MEIR, Instructor, both or neither, it is not surprising you have heard it before.

There are so many pilots out there and asshole employers, you are not guaranteed employment whatever path you take.
While ticking the box of doing every qualification going could be said to be giving you the best chance going, I am giving you strategic advice for the level of experience you have.

[Aussie Bob]

Do neither.
Spend the money on travelling around employers and then the type rating your eventual employer will ask for. Arguably the very best advice on this thread ...

[pilotchute]

Get the IR done now rather than later. You have to get it eventually anyway. Do it while your still in study mode.

[DeltaT]

Then spend every year or 2 paying to renew it without using it.

[Square Bear]

If you want to stay at home, or have a promise of an Instructors job, go down the Instructor path.

If you want to be more adventurous, i.e.: jump in the car and travel for that initial start, take the IR path.

Going down the Instructor path will most likely lead you to that taken by those that took the IR path, just that it will be a little longer getting there but you will have an additional skill set.

Both ways work if you are committed to it.

[RequestAsymmetrics]

I have a couple of friends who have done various combinations of MECIR's, FIR's and paid for JPA' and the like. Each have had varying degrees of success. It's all about who you train with, and how well you get along with people. Research which companies employee their G3 instructors, or go speak to the boss at the local drop zone.

It's really important to choose your training organization wisely. Very few flight schools are willing to take on fresh G3's who they didn't train. If you do the MECIR, you must accept that your first job will be VFR in a single, and that you will have to pay to keep your IR current.

If you're smart about your choices and have the right attitude towards it, either pathway can work.

[DeltaT]

Now if you want to talk money to burn why didn't you say so!
Lets see...

Additional hours to meet Instructor entry requirements
Instructor rating
MECIR
C208 rating
B200 rating
500hrs multi command bulk hours purchase
737 or A320 rating with 500hrs on type pay for experience course, plus approx 1yr of living expenses while not getting paid
Ace the psychometric test course
How to understand HR speak interview course

Now you should definitely get a interview after that lot.
Whether you get the job from the interview is completely random. :}

[Tee Emm]

Get the IR done now rather than later. You have to get it eventually anyway. Do it while your still in study mode


Agree. Until you are qualified to fly in cloud and do an IMC instrument approach then you cannot call yourself a truly professional pilot. Same applies to non-instrument-rated flying instructors of all grades who teach instrument flying as part of a PPL or CPL course. . The blind leading the blind, comes to mind.

[DeltaT]

No no when you are a Captain of a jet, thats when you are a true professional pilot, and you can add the prefix Obi Wan to your name. Up until then you are only a Student Pilot and know absolutely nothing. :rolleyes:

[Tee Emm]

No no when you are a Captain of a jet, thats when you are a true professional pilot, and you can add the prefix Obi Wan to your name. Up until then you are only a Student Pilot and know absolutely nothing


I stand corrected :ok:

[Square Bear]

After reading the last few posts my suggestion would be to go and actually talk to those that have done the walk (rather than the talk...).

I would easily give you 30/60 or more minutes to talk to you about my travel to where I am, and give my reasons for any advice given.

And.. I honestly think that most guys in all levels of aviation would do the same face to face, just on-line it is never the same..some people seem become difficult/condescending etc in that cyber world.

Good Luck...preserving is all it takes.......but be careful what you wish for!