THINKING of becoming an INSTRUCTOR?
Thread Starter
TightYorksherMan
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 1
From: Peak District
THINKING of becoming an INSTRUCTOR?
DO IT!!!
Get it done - free flying and they even pay you for it......
Shocking pay and doesnt pay ATPL loans but cracking hour building....
Get it done - free flying and they even pay you for it......
Shocking pay and doesnt pay ATPL loans but cracking hour building....
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Kent
Originally Posted by sam34
what do you mean by "shocking pay" please ? how many are you paid ?
thanks!
thanks!
OC619
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Helicopter instructors get paid more and don't sit on the ground so often.
Mind you, hovering with students all day is probably even more scary than teaching f/w landings non-stop.
Sorry, jinkster, I shouldn't rub it in, should I. This crap wx won't last forever.
Mind you, hovering with students all day is probably even more scary than teaching f/w landings non-stop.
Sorry, jinkster, I shouldn't rub it in, should I. This crap wx won't last forever.
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
I'm working this afternoon, Jinkster; off to Sheffield in a few minutes.
Yesterday afternoon.....well!!! We tried one circuit, and got up to 500 ft before I took control and scuttled for cover.....errrr....I mean flew a precise low level circuit with a perfect approach, don't I.
We then managed an hour of hovering sideways and backwards, and I told my student that excuses of poor vis were quite acceptable, since it was raining so hard we could hardly see the footpath he was supposed to be lining the helicopter up with. Then suddenly it closed in so fast I was wondering if we'd actually manage to hover-taxi back to the apron. I was quite impressed by the calm radio call from the poor f/w pilot trying to beat the real crud home; we waited for you to land before we crossed, since your need was probably greater than ours.
Today looks lovely; so fingers crossed.
Yesterday afternoon.....well!!! We tried one circuit, and got up to 500 ft before I took control and scuttled for cover.....errrr....I mean flew a precise low level circuit with a perfect approach, don't I.
We then managed an hour of hovering sideways and backwards, and I told my student that excuses of poor vis were quite acceptable, since it was raining so hard we could hardly see the footpath he was supposed to be lining the helicopter up with. Then suddenly it closed in so fast I was wondering if we'd actually manage to hover-taxi back to the apron. I was quite impressed by the calm radio call from the poor f/w pilot trying to beat the real crud home; we waited for you to land before we crossed, since your need was probably greater than ours.Today looks lovely; so fingers crossed.
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: In the SIM
That is shocking chaps, you should come and work at my school. £30 per flying hour, £1,000 retainer, allowances when you land away, and you even get a company car thrown in!
You don't know what your missing.
You don't know what your missing
.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Near EGCC
Ha I can beat that,also a sheff city instructor fixed wing, and I earn a shocking /disgusting 12 pound /hour of flight pay,no pay what so ever for anything else....
And people wonder why the quality of instructors is falling.....?
The owners of most flight schools are greedy and fat.
And people wonder why the quality of instructors is falling.....?
The owners of most flight schools are greedy and fat.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 3
From: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Class Rating Instructor..
After 25 years of PPL'ing and with a BCPL in my back pocket, I've taken the first step down the road, by going for the Class Rating Instructor. 25 hours ground school and 3 hours flying, did the test yesterday morning in pretty awful wx (howling xwind, just to demonstrate the skills!) The whole thing's cost me £1,500, can't charge a bean for instructing, though.
So, now I can checkout PPLs and do their 2nd-year Instructor flight. Big deal, you might say! If it works out and I have the dosh/time in the Spring, I'll do the FI course.
So, what's the point of the CRI? Well, I feel better equipped now to do club checkouts and it's reassured me about my personal flying, too.
I'm at the other end of the telescope from Jinkster, being 57 and facing probable redundancy next year, so I'm in it for the personal satisfaction and another layer of aviation activity. The only big IF, for me, is 'can I get a Class 1 medical'? Time will tell...
The Odd One
So, now I can checkout PPLs and do their 2nd-year Instructor flight. Big deal, you might say! If it works out and I have the dosh/time in the Spring, I'll do the FI course.
So, what's the point of the CRI? Well, I feel better equipped now to do club checkouts and it's reassured me about my personal flying, too.
I'm at the other end of the telescope from Jinkster, being 57 and facing probable redundancy next year, so I'm in it for the personal satisfaction and another layer of aviation activity. The only big IF, for me, is 'can I get a Class 1 medical'? Time will tell...
The Odd One
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: UK
Wingbar
Wingbar. Don't despair. Early on in my career I was sacked by my boss (through no fault of my own) and so know how it feels. Bearing in mind that you were only being paid £12/ hour it's hopefully going to be the best thing that could have happened to you. You're now free to go and find a better paid job. I would suggest that you don't accept anything that doesn't have a retainer.
Unfortunately we're involved in a !!!!ty industry. I lost my first job because the bosses nephew had gotten his AFI rating the week before and had apparently been promised my job. It was bizarre. I actually briefed a student one Sunday afternoon, sent him out to pre-flight the aircraft, and then just before I walked out the door was pulled to one side and told that I didn't work there anymore...effective immediate. When I asked why I was told that there had been a complaint (??????) from a PPL holder who I had checked out a few weeks previously.
If you're free to move then there are jobs out there. Sunshine is good. Have you seen the recent adverts for a PPL school in Jerez, Spain. The chap that runs the place is one of the nicest guys around.
Good luck.
Unfortunately we're involved in a !!!!ty industry. I lost my first job because the bosses nephew had gotten his AFI rating the week before and had apparently been promised my job. It was bizarre. I actually briefed a student one Sunday afternoon, sent him out to pre-flight the aircraft, and then just before I walked out the door was pulled to one side and told that I didn't work there anymore...effective immediate. When I asked why I was told that there had been a complaint (??????) from a PPL holder who I had checked out a few weeks previously.
If you're free to move then there are jobs out there. Sunshine is good. Have you seen the recent adverts for a PPL school in Jerez, Spain. The chap that runs the place is one of the nicest guys around.
Good luck.
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Wingbar,
My commiserations. And I'm going to miss seeing you around at EGSY.
But now go for that other job you told me you thought you could have, and never mind the travelling distance etc. Could be the best thing that ever happened to you.
Good luck.
Whirly
My commiserations. And I'm going to miss seeing you around at EGSY.
But now go for that other job you told me you thought you could have, and never mind the travelling distance etc. Could be the best thing that ever happened to you.
Good luck.
Whirly
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Near EGCC
Thanks Esperenza and Whirly for your kind comments and encouragement,
I have managed to find a higher paid job at Egsy with another outfit.
I hope this lasts a bit longer, plus my other jobs on the back burner for a while....sad to report...
Wingbar,
Ps Whirly, I have left you another yoghurt in the fridge!
I have managed to find a higher paid job at Egsy with another outfit.
I hope this lasts a bit longer, plus my other jobs on the back burner for a while....sad to report...
Wingbar,
Ps Whirly, I have left you another yoghurt in the fridge!
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,397
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
"After 25 years of PPL'ing and with a BCPL in my back pocket, I've taken the first step down the road, by going for the Class Rating Instructor."
Excellent! Good for you! The CRI is an extremely worthwhile Rating to include on your licence if you are in a club environment. To my mind you are using it for precisely the correct purpose; I consider that all club checkouts should be done by authorised instructors.
A club I know uses so-called 'check pilots' who do not hold any form of instructional rating. Not only do these people claim the time as PIC, but also make the person being 'checked' pay for the privilege....
I suspect the low number of CRIs is because hardly anyone knows of the Rating or its privileges. The PFA coaches all became CRIs under 'grandfather rights'; however, many didn't know they had to revalidate (which is very simple) and, as a result, had to renew at their own expense. Sympathy...? Nah!
Excellent! Good for you! The CRI is an extremely worthwhile Rating to include on your licence if you are in a club environment. To my mind you are using it for precisely the correct purpose; I consider that all club checkouts should be done by authorised instructors.
A club I know uses so-called 'check pilots' who do not hold any form of instructional rating. Not only do these people claim the time as PIC, but also make the person being 'checked' pay for the privilege....
I suspect the low number of CRIs is because hardly anyone knows of the Rating or its privileges. The PFA coaches all became CRIs under 'grandfather rights'; however, many didn't know they had to revalidate (which is very simple) and, as a result, had to renew at their own expense. Sympathy...? Nah!
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Wingbar,
Thanks for the yoghurt....though looking at the forecast for next Wednesday onwards, which is when I'm next at EGSY, it looks like I might go short on yoghurt, as well as money and flying.
Yes, instructing is wonderful...when you actually get to do it. Anyway, best of luck with the new job, and do drop in and see us sometime - there are plenty of NICE people at Sheffield.
Thanks for the yoghurt....though looking at the forecast for next Wednesday onwards, which is when I'm next at EGSY, it looks like I might go short on yoghurt, as well as money and flying.
Yes, instructing is wonderful...when you actually get to do it. Anyway, best of luck with the new job, and do drop in and see us sometime - there are plenty of NICE people at Sheffield.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Near EGCC
I shall leave a double helping of yoghurt then Whirly!
Another very sad thing about all of this though, is that I am now having to sell my car to keep the debt mungers at bay.....I have so much debt it is unreal...how is it that the airlines can even think of asking us to buy a type rating on top of all of this..........I'm flicking thorugh autotrader, hope I can get the money...because the banks are forcing me into bankruptcy a place I don't want to be.........
All this for a career in aviation....
What have I done......
WB
Another very sad thing about all of this though, is that I am now having to sell my car to keep the debt mungers at bay.....I have so much debt it is unreal...how is it that the airlines can even think of asking us to buy a type rating on top of all of this..........I'm flicking thorugh autotrader, hope I can get the money...because the banks are forcing me into bankruptcy a place I don't want to be.........
All this for a career in aviation....
What have I done......
WB