where to instruct?
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Australia
Age: 52
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Yeah, I agree with Puma4319. 
When I was instructing, there were far too many instructors who would fly no matter WHAT - because it was all hours in their log book.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. You are being paid by THEM to teach them all you can - not to step up another rung on the Airline Ladder.
When I was instructing, there were far too many instructors who would fly no matter WHAT - because it was all hours in their log book.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. You are being paid by THEM to teach them all you can - not to step up another rung on the Airline Ladder.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Look up and wave
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If you are keen to instruct and pass on your knowledge, then by all means do it. But only do it if your heart is in it. If you are hour building for a quick getaway to an airline career, then charter is the arena for you. Its unfair on your students if you dont want to be there and are only there for the hours. As a charter pilot, you are only as slack with the regs as you want to be, its all up to you how profficient you want to be. Its not charters fault if you become lazy, its the ugly mug in the mirror. Yes charter will have you learning a few shortcuts here and there and a few things that will have the average instructor raising an eyebrow, but it makes you a better operator. Lets face it you learn decision making skills in charter (which is vital in the airline arena) and how to fly in rough conditions smoothly with pax, how to deal with their groans and complaints, what works what doesnt. How to mask the smell of our native cousins so you dont dry reach etc and it all makes you a better operator.
You also will end up with a better work ethic as a charter pilot as you will have to clean wash refuel, help the other pilots do the same, its a big team effort. instructing will have you learning how to make the perfect cup of coffee for the grade 1's living in a bubble. Or that annoying smart arse mid life crisis pilot who is late 50s never done anything but instructed, think they know all the goods and are basically a bitter twisted old fart. There is one in every school.
Alot of instructors i have come across spent to much time in the local aero club talking crap and not doing, Yes there are some good ones out there also, and hell i am an instructor, but im a charter pilot before i am an instructor and as such think like one.
If you want to instruct, head north for a season for gods sake, develop your own stick and rudder, then go back and pass the skills on to the next generation and actually teach them how to operate!
You also will end up with a better work ethic as a charter pilot as you will have to clean wash refuel, help the other pilots do the same, its a big team effort. instructing will have you learning how to make the perfect cup of coffee for the grade 1's living in a bubble. Or that annoying smart arse mid life crisis pilot who is late 50s never done anything but instructed, think they know all the goods and are basically a bitter twisted old fart. There is one in every school.
Alot of instructors i have come across spent to much time in the local aero club talking crap and not doing, Yes there are some good ones out there also, and hell i am an instructor, but im a charter pilot before i am an instructor and as such think like one.
If you want to instruct, head north for a season for gods sake, develop your own stick and rudder, then go back and pass the skills on to the next generation and actually teach them how to operate!
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: australia
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thanks for all the replies everyone, much appreciated!
i am curious, in the current climate is it possible to get a job up north with the bare minimums (NVFR, CPL and instrument rating) or would i have to do some parachuting or something similar to gain some hours and experience in cessna 200 series aircraft?
also is it possible that whilst flying single pilot operations, to gain a good theoretical knowledge of some of the topics i mentioned earlier (aerodynamics, systems, IFR theory etc). or am i placing to much emphasis on something not so important. does knowledge in such ares just come with experience or are charter pilots constantly revising theory?
i am also interested to know if making the transition from single pilot operations to something more structured such as a regional or major airline is ever difficult. or again am i worrying over nothing.
i am finding the decision of whether to instruct or head north quite difficult, and any help is appreciated in advance!
i am curious, in the current climate is it possible to get a job up north with the bare minimums (NVFR, CPL and instrument rating) or would i have to do some parachuting or something similar to gain some hours and experience in cessna 200 series aircraft?
also is it possible that whilst flying single pilot operations, to gain a good theoretical knowledge of some of the topics i mentioned earlier (aerodynamics, systems, IFR theory etc). or am i placing to much emphasis on something not so important. does knowledge in such ares just come with experience or are charter pilots constantly revising theory?
i am also interested to know if making the transition from single pilot operations to something more structured such as a regional or major airline is ever difficult. or again am i worrying over nothing.
i am finding the decision of whether to instruct or head north quite difficult, and any help is appreciated in advance!
Instructing is very very hard work. You not only have to know (or give the appearance of knowing) your sh**, but you also have to spend time before and after the flight ensuring your student understands everything s/he's been shown, and prepare for their next one. On top of that, as a Jnr 3, there are SOOOO many friggin laws that can trip you up if you aren't careful and dont watch your students hours, and where they're up to in the training, or how long you've flown with them. You have to do this for every student.
It's a full on job, and it's only a rewarding career path if you get satisfaction from watching someone who came to you knowing nothing being sent on their first solo, or passing their CPL. Twins are a different kettle of fish in instructing, it takes much longer than in charter to get on to them, and the waiting list is longer. On top of this you need to get an instructor rating, whereas for charter you just get a $100 DG certificate and off you go.
I'm not trying to turn you off instructing, hell I do it myself. But please think long and hard about your reasons for doing it. Don't do it because you'd rather live in the city. You need to love watching people go from blankness to understanding. Even then I fairly often have doubts about whether I'm happiest doing it.
At the end of the day, there is very little difference. Last time I checked, in QANTAS there was about a 50/50 split between ex instructor and ex charter. Many pilots have done both. In the end there is small difference in handling ability, depending more on the person than the job. Both paths normally take 2-3 years to get to RPT, (although that changes with the industry) and the pay is normally similar between them, although there are exceptions.
If you are really keen on airlines, look at the QF Cadetship, or failing that you could do your JAR licence and move to Europe, and go straight into an airline.
There are many ways to skin a cat, just make sure that the way you go is the one you'll be happiest doing. You'll get there in the end no matter which way you go, if thats what you really want.
Arrr.
(Alerts fire brigade in case of flames
)
It's a full on job, and it's only a rewarding career path if you get satisfaction from watching someone who came to you knowing nothing being sent on their first solo, or passing their CPL. Twins are a different kettle of fish in instructing, it takes much longer than in charter to get on to them, and the waiting list is longer. On top of this you need to get an instructor rating, whereas for charter you just get a $100 DG certificate and off you go.
I'm not trying to turn you off instructing, hell I do it myself. But please think long and hard about your reasons for doing it. Don't do it because you'd rather live in the city. You need to love watching people go from blankness to understanding. Even then I fairly often have doubts about whether I'm happiest doing it.
At the end of the day, there is very little difference. Last time I checked, in QANTAS there was about a 50/50 split between ex instructor and ex charter. Many pilots have done both. In the end there is small difference in handling ability, depending more on the person than the job. Both paths normally take 2-3 years to get to RPT, (although that changes with the industry) and the pay is normally similar between them, although there are exceptions.
If you are really keen on airlines, look at the QF Cadetship, or failing that you could do your JAR licence and move to Europe, and go straight into an airline.
There are many ways to skin a cat, just make sure that the way you go is the one you'll be happiest doing. You'll get there in the end no matter which way you go, if thats what you really want.
Arrr.
(Alerts fire brigade in case of flames
)
Generally doing charter up north in todays climate will no better prepare you for airline work than instructing from a major city. In fact you may find the instructing path may expose you to airline SOPs and procedures if you are involved with cadet training.
Many airline pilots around the world today have never been a charter pilot or instructed and started flying boeing or airbus from 200-300 hours. This is especially the case in Europe and Asia. Some of these cadets have achieved commands in around ten years. Airlines may prefer this as it prevents bad habit forming and also creates a captive market of pilots purely trained to your procedures. I think australia will move down this path in the near future as the requirement for pilots outstrips supply.
If you want to improve your knowledge it is your responsibility.
Some charter operators have thorough check and training which will ensure you know your rules and systems. Others will just want you to fly and get the job done.
Some flying schools particularly the aeroclubs and small private operators are very relaxed and similar to what MACH82 described. The larger college based cadet programs are more structured with training tailored to a specific airlines SOPs and requirements. The colleges will also operate to a schedule of training and instructors will be rostered for duties with high workload.
If you want to instruct be an instructor
If you would like to do charter than do it
If you want to be an airline pilot join a cadet program
Either of these options will cost the same when you balance cash/time to get where you want to be.
Whatever you do make sure you enjoy it and dont get pushed into something you dont want to do!
Many airline pilots around the world today have never been a charter pilot or instructed and started flying boeing or airbus from 200-300 hours. This is especially the case in Europe and Asia. Some of these cadets have achieved commands in around ten years. Airlines may prefer this as it prevents bad habit forming and also creates a captive market of pilots purely trained to your procedures. I think australia will move down this path in the near future as the requirement for pilots outstrips supply.
If you want to improve your knowledge it is your responsibility.
Some charter operators have thorough check and training which will ensure you know your rules and systems. Others will just want you to fly and get the job done.
Some flying schools particularly the aeroclubs and small private operators are very relaxed and similar to what MACH82 described. The larger college based cadet programs are more structured with training tailored to a specific airlines SOPs and requirements. The colleges will also operate to a schedule of training and instructors will be rostered for duties with high workload.
If you want to instruct be an instructor
If you would like to do charter than do it
If you want to be an airline pilot join a cadet program
Either of these options will cost the same when you balance cash/time to get where you want to be.
Whatever you do make sure you enjoy it and dont get pushed into something you dont want to do!
Join Date: Mar 2007
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http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=302446
go here garman, should answer your question about going up north.
go here garman, should answer your question about going up north.
