[Help] Want to be a Flight Instructor in US
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 8
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From: Philippines
[Help] Want to be a Flight Instructor in US
Good Day,
I recently contacted ATP Flying school through email about my case. They did not answer my questions directly (It might be automated.)
I am currently studying flying in the Philippines. By the time I finish my packaged flying time, I would have accumulated the following:
160 Hours of Flying Time
CPL with IR (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines)
EP Level 4
I plan on continuing my studies in the US, and hopefully be a Flight Instructor.
I have prepared a list of questions, so that you can address me properly:
1.) What steps should I make after I finish my current course?
2.) Will my hours be credited when I study in US?
3.) Will I need to get a separate FAA License to apply for a Flight Instructor Course Training?
Thank You!
I recently contacted ATP Flying school through email about my case. They did not answer my questions directly (It might be automated.)
I am currently studying flying in the Philippines. By the time I finish my packaged flying time, I would have accumulated the following:
160 Hours of Flying Time
CPL with IR (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines)
EP Level 4
I plan on continuing my studies in the US, and hopefully be a Flight Instructor.
I have prepared a list of questions, so that you can address me properly:
1.) What steps should I make after I finish my current course?
2.) Will my hours be credited when I study in US?
3.) Will I need to get a separate FAA License to apply for a Flight Instructor Course Training?
Thank You!
Joined: Nov 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 30
From: Texas
Working backwards -
3. Yes. In order to get a FAA CFI you must hold a FAA commercial with an IR. For the FAA commercial you need 250 hours total time and the FAA private. The good news is you can get the FAA private based on your CAAP license. So you would have to pass the FAA IR written test and checkride then pass the FAA commercial written and checkride. Finally you would have to pass the FAA Fundamentals of Instruction written and the CFI written and checkride.
2. Yes
1. When you have picked the location you will train at you can begin the process of having your FAA private issued.
3. Yes. In order to get a FAA CFI you must hold a FAA commercial with an IR. For the FAA commercial you need 250 hours total time and the FAA private. The good news is you can get the FAA private based on your CAAP license. So you would have to pass the FAA IR written test and checkride then pass the FAA commercial written and checkride. Finally you would have to pass the FAA Fundamentals of Instruction written and the CFI written and checkride.
2. Yes
1. When you have picked the location you will train at you can begin the process of having your FAA private issued.
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 4,282
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From: Escapee from Ultima Thule
The title for your original post states that you want to be an instructor in the US. You will need to be a US citizen, or hold a visa that authorises you work in the US eg the so-called 'green card'.
Without the above approval you will not be able to work in the USA, no matter what qualifications you have, or get.
Without the above approval you will not be able to work in the USA, no matter what qualifications you have, or get.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13
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From: Timbukthree
The above criteria also applies to Canada. You must become a citizen first. Nothing else matters until you become a citizen. A Flight Instructor/Pilot is not a "Temporary Worker" in Canada. You can flip burgers or be a chamber maid or an oil field worker, but you cannot be a "temporary Flight Instructor". Sorry.
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 32
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From: United States
I don't want to discourage you, but your chances of being able to work in the US as a CFI are very slim. As another poster already stated, you need to be a citizen or have some kind of work visa.
Work visas are typically alloted to those who meet a certain criteria. A CFI, is not one of those particular skills. Permanent Workers | USCIS
If your dream is to work in the US, my advice to you is to get out of aviation and get a PhD.
I would gladly trade my aviation career in the USA, for yours in SE Asia. The money sucks here. I sometimes have to justify buying lunch.
Good Luck
Work visas are typically alloted to those who meet a certain criteria. A CFI, is not one of those particular skills. Permanent Workers | USCIS
If your dream is to work in the US, my advice to you is to get out of aviation and get a PhD.
I would gladly trade my aviation career in the USA, for yours in SE Asia. The money sucks here. I sometimes have to justify buying lunch.
Good Luck
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 590
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From: Eire/HK
Most of you are completely wrong!! A visa to work in the US as a CFI is one of the easiest to get. He will need to get his FAA Private, IR and Comm as well as his CFI (MEII) All he has to do is enrol on a course that offers those qualifications with a job for the remainder of his 2 year visa. Easy, as it is one that is offered by many schools. If you think I am wrong, I am living proof that I am right.
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 6
From: Escapee from Ultima Thule
We're not referring to a time-limited student visa with the possibility of a limited amount of work experience. The OP stated s/he wanted to work in the US, without qualification. Getting a green card or citizenship for that is not easy.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 253
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From: Augusta, Georgia, USA (back from Germany again)
Consider Australia?
I'm 54 and am slowly thinking about retirement. I have this crazy idea that it would be a great life to instruct in gliders in the US during the northern hemisphere soaring season and in Australia during the southern hemisphere's soaring season. Yes, there is a point to this...
I've googled this a few times and always come across pages on emigration to and/or working in Australia. I find flight instructor listed as a shortage career field with the indication that it's easy to get a work permit.
Might be a great experience. Closer to the Phillipines, still an English-speaking country.
Hit Google and see what you can find, mate!
Terry
A cousin spent about a year in Oz some time back. He milked the accent for all he could for years!
I've googled this a few times and always come across pages on emigration to and/or working in Australia. I find flight instructor listed as a shortage career field with the indication that it's easy to get a work permit.
Might be a great experience. Closer to the Phillipines, still an English-speaking country.
Hit Google and see what you can find, mate!
Terry
A cousin spent about a year in Oz some time back. He milked the accent for all he could for years!
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 3,984
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From: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
Why do people think they can just walk into a foreign country and start work, AS ANYTHING, not just a pilot? This is well trod terrain, to work in a country, not yoUR own, you need their permission to do so. In today's world, that's rare to non-existent.
GF
GF
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 616
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From: Tamworth, UK / Nairobi, Kenya
Why do people think they can just walk into a foreign country and start work, AS ANYTHING, not just a pilot?
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 253
Likes: 16
From: Augusta, Georgia, USA (back from Germany again)
Earlier post rather vague, sorry.
galaxy flyer - is your comment about working in a foreign country directed at me or rigonanfm?
I reread my post a moment ago and realized it's not super clear. I could have been clearer in saying "Hey, rigonanfm, you might want to consider Australia because there is a genuine shortage of flight instructors there, and the government is willing to issue work permits for foreigners to instruct there. That's NOT going to happen in the US, but Australia has the benefits of being both closer to the PI and an English-speaking country. Good luck."
"I've inquired about being a part-time, seasonal GLIDER instructor there after I retire in a few years. Their soaring season is the opposite of the nothern hemisphere. I've been given assurances that not only is it relatively common to do what I'd like to do, but plenty of places will help convert my cetificates to teach there."
I understand why someone would want to instruct in the US if they are from elsewhere, but that's not going to happen except for the few people who come on a visa that includes CFI training and instruction for a short period as part of it.
Not trying to be sarcastic, etc. Truly realized my own answer was not only vague but almost misleading about who it was about.
Sorry!
I reread my post a moment ago and realized it's not super clear. I could have been clearer in saying "Hey, rigonanfm, you might want to consider Australia because there is a genuine shortage of flight instructors there, and the government is willing to issue work permits for foreigners to instruct there. That's NOT going to happen in the US, but Australia has the benefits of being both closer to the PI and an English-speaking country. Good luck."
"I've inquired about being a part-time, seasonal GLIDER instructor there after I retire in a few years. Their soaring season is the opposite of the nothern hemisphere. I've been given assurances that not only is it relatively common to do what I'd like to do, but plenty of places will help convert my cetificates to teach there."
I understand why someone would want to instruct in the US if they are from elsewhere, but that's not going to happen except for the few people who come on a visa that includes CFI training and instruction for a short period as part of it.
Not trying to be sarcastic, etc. Truly realized my own answer was not only vague but almost misleading about who it was about.
Sorry!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 109
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From: Around
Why do people think they can just walk into a foreign country and start work, AS ANYTHING, not just a pilot? This is well trod terrain, to work in a country, not yoUR own, you need their permission to do so. In today's world, that's rare to non-existent.
Just don't try that as a professional or by going through the proper channels, that never turns out well.
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Around
If your dream is to work in the US, my advice to you is to get out of aviation and get a PhD
Talk about a poor return on investment, most PHDs I know make crap money, especially for all the "education" they paid for.
If you want to work in the US, under MaObama, just come over on a student visa, get all your ratings, CFI etc, move away from your last reported event and work as a CFI under the table.
Our current administration is cool with illegal immigrants, currently Obama is fast tracking a few million of them for citizenship. Id look into it and read up on the news, chances are you could also get some free insurance too while you're here.
Just don't try to immigrate here legally, that's frowned on.
Last edited by James331; 7th January 2015 at 22:03.
Joined: May 2017
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From: texas
hi.
I know this thread is like 3 years old but I have my CPL multi engine from the US and want to do my CFI and teach to get my hours which visa type do I apply for that will allow work even if its on a temporary basis. cos my visa was the M1 and it didn't allow working of any sort.
thanks
I know this thread is like 3 years old but I have my CPL multi engine from the US and want to do my CFI and teach to get my hours which visa type do I apply for that will allow work even if its on a temporary basis. cos my visa was the M1 and it didn't allow working of any sort.
thanks