Do I have a chance to get hired at Flight Safety?

[hfc1969]

Thanks for reading..

50 year old guy.. CFI, CFII, multi-engine; only 1500+ hours..(my hours are traveling with family & teaching).

I see that Flight Safety is hiring ground instructors... do I have a chance? My retirement is set, doing this for a change in industry.

I do not have 121, or 135.

Thanks..

[Spooky 2]

FSI is a pretty good employer so.... do you have some good computer skills that you can bring to the table? Good communication skills along with a good attitude go a long way. Is there any courseware development in this job discription?

Bottom line is that you won't know unless you try. Good luck!

[misd-agin]

Want to improve your odds? I'd consider getting a regional FO job and learning more about flying, jets, high altitude stuff, etc.

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by hfc1969

50 year old guy.. CFI, CFII, multi-engine; only 1500+ hours...

I see that Flight Safety is hiring ground instructors... do I have a chance? My retirement is set, doing this for a change in industry.

I do not have 121, or 135.

hfc,

You haven't revealed if you have aspirations beyond an instructor position with a training outfit like Flight Safety. Do you only want to instruct ?

If so, being a bit older might be viewed as a positive in that you're perhaps less likely to dash off to a regional like a 23 y/o 1500 hour CFI ?

You haven't given enough of your intentions to solicit worthy answers to your question.

If you have aspirations beyond instructing, then misd's comment applies.

[misd-agin]

bafanguy - I'd think having an instructor with more knowledge of other aircraft, types of flying, high altitude ops, all weather ops, jet speeds, etc, would make for a more rounded instructor. Anyone going through the training program would learn something. It's interesting talking with former military new hires about the learning experience they went through going to the airlines. Different types of flying having different strengths and weaknesses. Would you rather learn from an instructor who's only flown light aircraft? Or would a student sometimes get better training, or insight, if the same instructor had additional previous experience?

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by misd-agin

Or would a student sometimes get better training, or insight, if the same instructor had additional previous experience?

misd,

No dispute there. I was just guessing at his prospects in the eyes of an employer who might be losing CFIs at a great rate.

[hfc1969]

Thanks for all of the replies..

Newly turned 50 year old. 25 years in the robotics and IT world, looking to leave that behind or at least blend it with aviation.

I have my CFI, CFII and multi; no jet, no 121 no 135. Just a guy who teaches a little on the side and owns a small multi airplane.

Some have told me to try FAA (inspector) others have said Flight Safety.. The end game is to move to Florida and take the new career there. I am told this is called an "encore career".

Thanks again.

[misd-agin]

FAA inspector and Flight Safety are good options. If you strike out I'd consider the regional route to see if that makes you more competitive. Supposedly there's a fair amount of demand for CFI's. It's not uncommon to hear about students struggling to get their hours due to the shortage of CFI's. Good luck.

[hfc1969]

I have to ask even though I may know the answer; how fast does the FAA move in the hiring process? I am betting its quite slow.

One more question... I do have 3 degrees.. enjoyed college Does anyone in the aviation world look at a Masters in Statistical Mathematics?

As far as the regional airlines go.. one of the big wigs and I are friends.. he has told me whenever or if ever I want.. he will put me in a class.

[misd-agin]

Originally Posted by hfc1969

I have to ask even though I may know the answer; how fast does the FAA move in the hiring process? I am betting its quite slow.

One more question... I do have 3 degrees.. enjoyed college Does anyone in the aviation world look at a Masters in Statistical Mathematics?

As far as the regional airlines go.. one of the big wigs and I are friends.. he has told me whenever or if ever I want.. he will put me in a class.

Don’t go there if it’s not the best choice for you. Supply is tough at the regional level and many of them will accept anyone with 1500 hrs and a pulse. If you go that route choose the one that is best for you.

[Spooky 2]

I didn't think about the regional route but that might be a great path to even bigger things. 50 isn't that old and give it another 6 to 8 years could be well into a new rewarding career, be it the FAA, FSI or an airline. DON'T over think this as it will only use up valaable time. As some one once said. "Many have a good aim in life, but damn few know when to pull the trigger".

Let us know how this turns out.

[misd-agin]

If you're 50 yrs old today, have 1500+ hrs, in five years you could be at 5,000 hrs TT, 3500 turbine, and 500-1000 hrs 121 TPIC. That might be outside of the window that the biggest airlines are after but getting more senior at a regional, or getting hired by a second tier U.S. airline, isn't a bad gig as a second career for a late entry pilot.

[hfc1969]

Regionals are just not in the picture for me. Again I am very thankful to have people who have extended the offer to join their regional airlines whenever I want. I just do not have the time to commit to the company and would feel bad, because I could not be 100%.

Who knows I may just end up working at Home Depot like a bunch of my other ex-management friends.

[hfc1969]

Originally Posted by misd-agin

FAA inspector and Flight Safety are good options. Good luck.

Well by the grace of God... I have an interview with the FAA..

Not sure what to expect, I was just asked to gather the basic information they require and send it in.

Any suggestions or advice?

[misd-agin]

I'd read the FAR's, AIM, and whatever you're currently qualified in (CFI standards, etc). I have no knowledge of what their interviews are like. Good luck.