atpcfi

Don't underestimate the salaried gigs (I think both have paid vacation and sick time), contrary to popular belief we actually do get weather sometimes out in Phoenix in addition to some other things that might prevent you from flying. It's nice knowing you're going to get paid even if you decide not to fly due to weather, personal or other concerns. Being salaried doesn't really have an effect on how many hours you can fly; I still flew in excess of 100hrs several months out here. In fact, I would make the argument that having a contest centered around flying the highest number of hours for a financial reward is at best a little irresponsible for a flight school and maybe even borderline dangerous... my 2 cents.

Bravix

Here's where I work. Salary at $43,000 for starting CFII (depends which location you're at, though). Also $1500 - $3000 hire bonus (depending on if you take the 3 months free housing or not).

They'll pay for your CFII upgrade if you don't have it (you gotta pay for the checkride costs).

Employment | Careers at IASCO Flight Training, Inc.

Was shooting for 100 hours this month, but this week has been cruddy for flying (Low IFR/freezing levels, and our ILS is inop). Probably get closer to 80 hours, like last month.

Assistant Chief position currently open in the Washington location at $60k I think, though if hour building is what you want, I imagine you don't have the experience.

Another Guy

How do you get scheduled when you're salaried? Do you have multiple back-to-back activities?

typeunkwn

You get scheduled by a scheduling department. Steer clear of the salaried positions. Benefits? Paid vacation time? Who cares..you're there for 1-1.5 years to get your time and get out. Yeah salary sounds great until you factor in taxes and the fact that they are going to work you like a dog. It's a business for them just as much as it is for you, so don't think you're going to come out on top of that deal in the end. Go somewhere where you decide your hours, income, and has good maintenance. Being forced to sit in a sim at 3am not building flight time making a "salary" because the scheduling department told you to isn't something you want to be doing to get your 1500. Do some research, good schools are out there.

Bravix

If being required to work 7-9 hours a day (8 being average, but occasionally an hour less or more) is being worked like a dog, you must be new to the concept of work. Never been forced into a sim at 3 am (or anything near 3 am, for that matter). Are you drawing from an actual experience that you've had? If so, feel free to post the company so people know to steer clear. But don't make broad generalizations.

There are certainly benefits to an hourly job. If you're willing to work more than 8 hours, 5 days a week, and the hourly rate is good enough, you can make more than a salaried position...though the hourly rate is important. Weather also plays a huge factor. Salaried, rain or snow, you're getting paid. Hourly, you might go a month with half the hours that you usually get (depending on location of course!)

I know that at my previous hourly instruction job, there is no way that I would have made as much as I'm making now salaried, and I was working 6 days a week there. Now I work 5, make more, and generally get more hours too. I also have the opportunity to work longer/extra, if I so desire, in order to build hours faster.

Bravix

Personally, I usually have four blocks of approximately 2 hours each. Yes, back to back, with a break of about 30 minutes in the middle for food and what not. If your students are past their first solo and you elect to stay inside while they preflight, you get a little more downtime between flights.

Instructors here generally have 4 students. I have 5, since we're taking in a lot of students right now, but not everyone has 5. If you have 4, you generally fly with each student every day. If you need to do a cross country, depending on its length, you of course might have fewer students that day.

Generally, my work days fit into a 8.5 hour period (thats including the 0.5 hour break. If you take that out, its an 8 hour day).

Happy to answer any questions you might have. I've worked at both hourly and salaried locations.