Do you enjoy instructing?
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: THE NORTH
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The best and the worst job in the world!
It's great watching "your" student taxi out for a solo detail, far more rewarding than I could have ever imagined
The pay should be better, but no one wants to pay more so this will never change.
I was going to start another thread on the new EASA non CPL/ATPL theory instructor vs the CPL/ATPL theory instructor but it seems to fit in here, so my question/s
How will the FI rating with no CPL/ATPL theory be recognised will this be stated on the licence or rating page?
Current FI's who have never done CPL/ATPL theory, should these instructors still be instructing for the EASA PPL and ratings, do they get grandfather rights (ex BCPL holders now PPL's)?
Thanks
It's great watching "your" student taxi out for a solo detail, far more rewarding than I could have ever imagined
The pay should be better, but no one wants to pay more so this will never change.
I was going to start another thread on the new EASA non CPL/ATPL theory instructor vs the CPL/ATPL theory instructor but it seems to fit in here, so my question/s
How will the FI rating with no CPL/ATPL theory be recognised will this be stated on the licence or rating page?
Current FI's who have never done CPL/ATPL theory, should these instructors still be instructing for the EASA PPL and ratings, do they get grandfather rights (ex BCPL holders now PPL's)?
Thanks
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Instructors doing it to build hours are a nightmare. Whereas once, they may have had to do only season and then disappear, many have been stuck for years and you can see very little enjoyment as they banish for another hour in the circuit!
People need to think carefully about instructing in today's PTF market.
People need to think carefully about instructing in today's PTF market.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Los Angeles Area
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Do I like being a CFI?
I wouldn't know because I have been one for over 2 years and have hardly done any instructing. This economy is killing aviation. I am also a full-time schoolteacher. I wish being a CFI was stable work because we teach people to do the greatest thing on earth, fly. Whereas, my sixth graders would rather fail and raise hell than learn. AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGH!
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: middle england
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Best move I ever made 22 years ago. Been a full time professional ever since and no desire to do anything else. It has given me an excellent opportunity to analyse the aeroplanes I teach in, making my teaching all the more value to my students.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Blackpool/Carlisle
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Amazing job, i really love it. I am full time over 800 hours this year. I may be in the minority as i still really enjoy trial lessons. Seeing how happy somebody gets when you have them flying the aeroplane , even if its just a one off is a pretty good feeling. Last weekend one of the trial lessons was a lad with downs synodrome and it was just awesome , he was a great lad and getting the chance to fly made both him his parents and me incredibly happy. As for the payside, you are never going to get rich but you can earn a living.
As RTN11 put it, the most frustrating part is great weather on your day off. the way round this is to never have a day off!
As RTN11 put it, the most frustrating part is great weather on your day off. the way round this is to never have a day off!
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: fort sheridan, il
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svcfi
interesting about teaching in the LA area...wonder where...its one place I wouldn't want to learn how to fly...
I instructed in 1980 era...pay was rotten, state of california wanted us all incorporated as a flying school (and we didn't), however I do agree with lindbergh, you never learn more about flying then when you teach someone else how to fly.
the economy does stink...but it has stunk before (also under a Democrat)...and flying is something wonderful...but people have changed...now, when they fly on a commercial airliner, they are more interested in their IPAD than in looking out the freaking window.
hmmmm
so, instruct, be careful (it is dangerous you know...just above crop dusting) and then take a job with apple computer (I was offered a job in 1982 with them, and I didn't take it...stupid me!!!!)
I instructed in 1980 era...pay was rotten, state of california wanted us all incorporated as a flying school (and we didn't), however I do agree with lindbergh, you never learn more about flying then when you teach someone else how to fly.
the economy does stink...but it has stunk before (also under a Democrat)...and flying is something wonderful...but people have changed...now, when they fly on a commercial airliner, they are more interested in their IPAD than in looking out the freaking window.
hmmmm
so, instruct, be careful (it is dangerous you know...just above crop dusting) and then take a job with apple computer (I was offered a job in 1982 with them, and I didn't take it...stupid me!!!!)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Caribbean
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Quite enjoyable and very thankful I choosed to do the CFI route after getting my CPL and multi. I love it ! 
Of course, the pay is peanuts and I have to empathise with many of the experiences.. I have been a CFI since beginning of this year..Just 3 mths after getting my CFI ticket. I know many pilots who are sitting on the ground and doing a non aviation job.
On the neat future, I look towards getting a non-aviation related job to supplement my income. I have flown with students who have great ability and some who I have had to flat out say that flying wasnt for them.
On my off days, I spend time flying in a fixed based 737 simulator and then I hop into the Cessna with my students on my work days.
When I was doing my PPL, I never imagined I ever be able to teach. It has to be something you WANT to do . You must be passionate of transposing that wisdom onto your students and creating agreat impression of enjoyable flying and also safety. The pay is horrible but like many professions, it will and should lead to greater and better things. So bask in the present !
Of course, the pay is peanuts and I have to empathise with many of the experiences.. I have been a CFI since beginning of this year..Just 3 mths after getting my CFI ticket. I know many pilots who are sitting on the ground and doing a non aviation job. On the neat future, I look towards getting a non-aviation related job to supplement my income. I have flown with students who have great ability and some who I have had to flat out say that flying wasnt for them.
On my off days, I spend time flying in a fixed based 737 simulator and then I hop into the Cessna with my students on my work days.
When I was doing my PPL, I never imagined I ever be able to teach. It has to be something you WANT to do . You must be passionate of transposing that wisdom onto your students and creating agreat impression of enjoyable flying and also safety. The pay is horrible but like many professions, it will and should lead to greater and better things. So bask in the present !
