Flight instructor program for international students
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Join Date: May 2020
Location: Hong Kong
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Flight instructor program for international students
Hi all greetings from Hong Kong!
Given the current situation, I have been informed by Cathay Pacific that they will not hire any cadets in the foreseeable future. But I really love flying and want to be a pilot in the future. However there is almost no opportunity to do that except entering the cadet program in Hong Kong. Therefore I am considering becoming a flight instructor and accumulate around 1500 of flight hours then apply the direct entry for airlines later. I have previously flown in Australia with 35hrs of dual and 3hrs of solo time using a Diamond DA40. And I would like to ask a few questions.
Given the current situation, I have been informed by Cathay Pacific that they will not hire any cadets in the foreseeable future. But I really love flying and want to be a pilot in the future. However there is almost no opportunity to do that except entering the cadet program in Hong Kong. Therefore I am considering becoming a flight instructor and accumulate around 1500 of flight hours then apply the direct entry for airlines later. I have previously flown in Australia with 35hrs of dual and 3hrs of solo time using a Diamond DA40. And I would like to ask a few questions.
- First and the most important question. Are there any recommendations for flight school in the US?I have searched a tonnes of flight schools from Florida, California, Oregon etc. on Google but I need some actual reviews from people.
- As far as I know, working in the US as a flight instructor after obtaining CFI/CFII will require a F-1 visa instead of a M-1. But I believe that not all flight schools are eligible to issue the F-1 visa right?
- Based on my research, an instructor with CFII can get 800-1000hrs per year. Is that the real case? And how much would be the salary?
- Based on my previous flying experience, the advertisement posted by the flight schools are usually not the real deal and the actual length of the courses will be much longer with a higher cost too. Any experience can be shared about the cost and the length of time from zero to CFII?
https://www.westwindaviation.com/
I taught some CFI candidates there in 2019 before electing to accept a more desirable opportunity elsewhere. Most students and instructors are Korean, but some other nationalities are represented among both the student and instructor ranks as well. Almost all Asian students at this school are self-sponsored. (it's the other school accross the parking lot at Deer Valley which caters to the Mainland Chinese airline cadet programs) The vast majority of those attaining their CFI certificates there seek to remain there for one year or more of instructing experience in order to meet airline hiring criteria. The school retains most of those wishing to remain and is well-versed in visa procedures.
It's not cheap and the examiners are tough. And Phoenix, AZ summers are HOT! But at least high-wing Cessnas do provide a small amount of shade!
I taught some CFI candidates there in 2019 before electing to accept a more desirable opportunity elsewhere. Most students and instructors are Korean, but some other nationalities are represented among both the student and instructor ranks as well. Almost all Asian students at this school are self-sponsored. (it's the other school accross the parking lot at Deer Valley which caters to the Mainland Chinese airline cadet programs) The vast majority of those attaining their CFI certificates there seek to remain there for one year or more of instructing experience in order to meet airline hiring criteria. The school retains most of those wishing to remain and is well-versed in visa procedures.
It's not cheap and the examiners are tough. And Phoenix, AZ summers are HOT! But at least high-wing Cessnas do provide a small amount of shade!
