I am a full time CFI starting to think about moving past the flight instructor phase. I have been instructing for almost two years and have 1200TT. I can tell I am begining to be burnt out, if not allready. I see the new instructors coming in and can tell they are better instructors than I am now simply because they are more motivated. I am lucky enough to be able to teach a mountain flying course which is definatly outside the norm for an average CFI, but Im getting to the point of wanting to practice what I teach.

I guess what Im asking for is advise. Where should I go from here? Im not entirely sold on any one direction. If I could I would do it all, I love any kind of flying. Alot of what I look at requires time that is hard to get. For example for a SIC position on a King Air C90 requires 200 in type in some cases.

How should I move past the 'wall'?

(If this is allready addressed in another thread, please point me in the right direction.)

 

Just put out resumes and network. There isn't really a wall at all, you just need another job. Unfortunately, they are scare right now. But you never know.

On a side note, if you are burnt out as a CFI after what is likely only 900 hours or so of doing it, you ain't seen nothing yet. After you've run the same checklist thousands of times, you'll be tired of that too. I'd suggest you learn to accept the mundane because that is what you'll get no matter where you go in aviation, despite the many pluses. My point isn't to say it all sucks, but any pilot will attest that the doingness of the job is mundane, just like CFI'ing.

 

He is right ya know. Most of professional flying is the same thing over and over again. If you are bored as an instructor then brace yourself for a long and slow career.

Skyhigh

 

Count yourself somewhat lucky to have an aviation job right now. Line flying is not a like a video game, with nonstop action. You are basically paid to sit there during much of the flight and wait until you are needed (TO, LDG, Approach, Departure, Taxi) or in case of an emergency.

Flight instruction is actually more interesting, but doing it enough to make any kind of money requires long days and weekends, so you get burnt out.

 

Don't worry about feeling being burned out. The lifestyle is pretty tough. Congrats on getting your 135 mins the hard way. Now guess what. Go find a safe 135 operation that needs an inexperienced pilot. I know not what you wanted to hear.

Just make sure it's safe and keep working hard.

Way to go. I remember when I got to 1200 hours. In a way its a big deal but there are many hurdles to go.

 

If you can find a job, then have fun!

I am in the exact same boat as you hour-wise. If I would have stuck it out and got the MEI in a few more months I'd easily qualify for a starter 135 job. My advice is to try and get the MEI and build at least 100 multi hours. Try and get 2,000 total time and you'll be even more marketable (possibly even king air 135 marketable?). In my case I had to find something outside of aviation to support my family. You probably aren't in that boat, so take advantage of ALL the options you currently have while you can.

 

Once you have 1000 hours, ME time will be far more valuable than ASEL.

 

Actually I am an MEI with about 180 multi hours.

I guess my big question would be where to go from here? Ive considered 135, 121, even forest service flying. Ive heard your first job after being a CFI kind of "labels" you as a pilot for the rest of your career and I want to make sure whichever route I decide is going to be the right one.

Is it true that your first job after CFI sets you on a "track" that is hard to get away from?

 

I wouldn't quite say that, just be aware of the issues involved with each track.

However, your third job should reflect your preferred career path.

After CFI you can do entry-level corporate (king air, light piston twin), 135 night freight, or anything else that gives you more multi, turbine, or larger/faster airplane experience.

From there, if you move into better corporate jobs you could still have a shot at a major airline someday, but the majors will generally give some preference to those with regional 121 experience. That is not hard-and-fast, if you are a great candidate with time in larger bizjets you will be competitive at the majors if that's where you want to go from there. Citation, King Air, Caravan, etc time is not so great for major airlines.

If you go to the regionals instead, you may suffer from a stigma which the corporate pilots call "airline stink". This means that you are used to having everything done for you (Wx, flight plan, fueling, cabin cleaning, passenger interaction, etc). But this is obviously very subjective and 100% avoidable...if you go to a regional stay in close contact with everyone you know in corporate/135. Try to do some part-time 91/135 contract flying if possible. As long as someone sticks up for you when the boss asks about airline stink, you should be OK.

Once you are competitive for regionals and corporate jobs, it would make sense to pick a track. For the foreseeable future you will need more than just CFI ASEL time to go either route...so take whatever opportunity you have to acquire better flight time.

 

I disagree. It was a lot easier for me to get burned out as a CFI compared to the other types of flying I've done so far, including 135 charter and part 91 corporate. Even though I absolutely loved teaching, there were days where I was just fried, and towards the end I was getting burned out. It's a lot of work and frustration (which also includes a lot of fun and proud moments).