What to Wear?
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: London
Well considering if you get the job you'll be expected to wear a 'uniform' anyway - trousers, shirt, tie etc... then i think you should start as you mean to go on.
I don't think you should crack out your best Hugo Boss number but a smart outfit is the way forward...all about first impressions.
Good Luck!
I don't think you should crack out your best Hugo Boss number but a smart outfit is the way forward...all about first impressions.
Good Luck!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Belgium
If you're not used to wear a suit, don't in any case ! You'll only feel very uncomfortable. I would choose a shirt, matching tie and NO jeans NO sneakers, nikes, reeboks,..... Dress casual but 'sharp' so that you show respect to whoever you will meet.
If the school is impossing uniforms on their students and staff, pay double attention to your appearance.
Greetz and good luck.
J.
If the school is impossing uniforms on their students and staff, pay double attention to your appearance.
Greetz and good luck.
J.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Scotland, UK
I have spent a month earlier this year going to different companies on job interviews. I wore standard FI gear - white pilots shirt, black tie, black trousers, etc. I would say this is the minimum personally. It certainly helped get me work.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 1
From: England
Bars... or a very sharp flying suit..with lots of badges.
Your best Irvine jacket and some really cool trousers from Camden market with pockets and stuff.
Seriously though the tip about not wearing something you are not comfortable in is good. I wore a pair of smart jeans to my last interview, It worked out OK.
Good luck.
Your best Irvine jacket and some really cool trousers from Camden market with pockets and stuff.
Seriously though the tip about not wearing something you are not comfortable in is good. I wore a pair of smart jeans to my last interview, It worked out OK.
Good luck.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: up north
As someone who is part of the recruitment process for new FI's now I would suggest that shirt and tie are minimum. Turning up in your day to day stuff immediately screams to me that you're not serious and dare I say lazy. I'm sure that some will disagree but it never hurts. I once turned up at a haulage yard in a suit. If you don't fit in it can be downgraded to a shirt and trousers.
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 0
From: England
I think if you need to ask a question like this, then you should seriously question if you have the qualities required of a professional pilot or flight instructor.
For an initial but informal (read the post those guys advocating suits etc!) meeting (I always think 'interview' is OTT for some FI 'jobs') I would opt for the standard instructor garb of today which appears to be shoes, black trousers, white (or blue) shirt and tie. You will look smart, look the part but more importantly will not look like some divvy who thinks that a flight instructor position is just like an ordinary office gig!
Be yourself, show savvy, dress like an FI.
Tidy.
VFE.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: UK
My first FI interview was on the phone so it was irrelevant, but for a subsequent interview I turned up with a tie on only to be told politely and in a friendly manner to take it off as it wasn't required and didn't fit in with the image they wanted at the school! Fine by me I hate ties!
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 0
From: England
We could spark a second thread about formal dress on FI's really couldn't we? Personally, I dislike wearing a tie for my job but understand they have their place in other pilot occupations such as airline or corporate pilot. A tie on a busy flying day restricts my comfort and creates an impression that is above and beyond the level of formality I seek to create between myself and the student. So I don't wear one. My boss is happy with that and it fits in with his own ethos. The other instructors are free to wear a tie if they so wish - that too is their decision.
VFE.
VFE.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,398
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
I just say to anyone wanting to instruct at our flying club "If the weather's OK when you come, we'll hopefully go for a quick trip. So just wear whatever you feel comfortable in. We're happy for our FIs to wear a club logo polo shirt and slacks - but if you feel happier in shirt and tie, that's fine - it's entirely your choice."
And the 'quick trip' is, of course, free of charge! Although the prospective FI will be asked to patter a few bits of various exercises, so that I can see whether he can fly and teach reasonably.
And the 'quick trip' is, of course, free of charge! Although the prospective FI will be asked to patter a few bits of various exercises, so that I can see whether he can fly and teach reasonably.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Sussex
I don't wear a tie (but I am female). When it is cold I wear a scarf instead. White shirt and dark trousers and a dark jersey seem appropriate to me for most instructors. NO gold bars! However, I do take exception with this current fashion not to wear a belt on your trousers, which makes them hang underneath the paunch or off the back of your rear end, exposing your underpants. It looks so childish and scruffy and I cannot take anyone seriously who does not use a belt if there are belt loops in the trousers. It is just like leaving the laces out of your shoes...which should of course be leather and polished, not those clumpy huge plastic ones.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 0
From: Hotel this week, hotel next week, home whenever...
LIR 
spot on!
If I want so see someones underwear I'll go to Spearmint Rhino's (Oh Sh1t!, can't believe I just said that!)
BlueRobin, remember - you'll never get a second chance to make a first impression! Collar and cuffs - sorry tie!
spot on! If I want so see someones underwear I'll go to Spearmint Rhino's (Oh Sh1t!, can't believe I just said that!)
BlueRobin, remember - you'll never get a second chance to make a first impression! Collar and cuffs - sorry tie!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
Diverting the thread a little... what should a professional FI wear at work?
I'm not an FI, but I do know many of them. Many are good guys, but one or two appear to think they are God's gift to aviation; Captains bars etc, and boast that a 'real ATPL holder' (FI) wears an airline cap!
I know what my opinion is; over to you.
TCF
I'm not an FI, but I do know many of them. Many are good guys, but one or two appear to think they are God's gift to aviation; Captains bars etc, and boast that a 'real ATPL holder' (FI) wears an airline cap!
I know what my opinion is; over to you.
TCF