thesweetlycool

I recently finished my CFI rating and have 268 hours. Is there really any other options other than being a CFI to build hours to atleast 500? The stuff I've been able to find, it seems everyone is asking for atleast 500 at a minimum, even for simple charter ops.

de727ups

Traffic watch, banner towing, inflight mapping, and flying jumpers. Search the forums and you might be able to find more info.

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thesweetlycool

I have found that it's very difficult to find information about these types of jobs online. You almost have to have a connection with it!

Slice

Then get off the internet, get out to the airport and start networking!!!!!!

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Will fly for...$

Pilotpip

Good luck, you're about to be competing with a lot of guys that have a lot more time than a couple hundred hours. You might want to consider hanging it up if you don't want to instruct for more than a couple hundred hours.

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Frank was (and still is) right!

thesweetlycool

Nono, I'd love to instruct, it's just that none of the places around me need CFI's at the moment and I need to get hours (and money) somehow. I did all my flight training at Western Michigan University (Will be a senior in the fall) and so i've been "hanging" out at an airport for three years now and it's just that not many people do these other non-CFI type jobs.

I probably will have to get out there though, it's just that I can't find any sort of phone numbers or places to visit online anywhere.

ryan1234

suck it up and instruct the rest, it'll teach you a lot... you learn a million different ways of how not to do something. While doing this... try to ride along with some single pilot 91's and use that to network.

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thesweetlycool

Nono, you guys are not understanding. I have not instructed an hour, I just got my CFI. However, while im waiting for a CFI job to open up nearby, what else can I do with 275 hours to make some money while flying? I understand it will be very difficult to find something... I just wanted some opinions

Careercfi

There isn't really much you can do with these flight times. I'd do what poster #5 stated and try to get a job as a CFI. Until then, maybe sell hotdogs or watermelons. The CFI jobs will soon be down to $7/hour again, there is a lot of high time tinpushers getting very, very desperate. Your best bet is some FBO that looks for a parttimer. I know one 1200 and one 600 hour pilot who can't find squat. You surely have some other skills you could use?

Best is to wait a few years. It'll come back up again, eventually.
Good luck!

Laxrox43

Skydive Hastings is looking for part-timers (if you are from MI). I don't know what the pay is though...but it's worth a shot...

It may take you moving to another state to instruct.

http://www.teachmetofly.com --- America Winds Flight Academy - Akron, OH --- They offer to help you obtain your CFII, and also advertise that they let you fly the Part 91 legs when they charter their Seneca II. Starting pay is around $20/hr. (Which is better then some Regionals, AND better then teaching at most University flight schools)

That is the only flight school that I could find on Climbto350.com that was advertising --- or I should say the only surrounding state of MI that I could find.

Good luck.

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