Javichu

Hi guys!,


I'm swimming in a sea of doubts. I'm a JAA pilot (Frozen ATPL) + Green Card, with around 400h. In a few months I'll move to USA, and i'll get my FAA CPL, IR, etc....

I know that step is clear. The problem is after that, and knowing that the 1.500h "rule" that will start in Aug '13 (i think). So the big doubt is, what should be the best option due to my profile and the circumstances. Should I get all my flight instructor certificates and earn the experience needed there (with luck), or should i try to find a job in GA in spite of the CFI option.

I DO respect a lot the CFI job and its responsability, and how they will influence in the aeronautical life of the students. That's why I think about my possible instruction skills. I know I can fly, and I manage the every situation the best I can, studying more, trying to practice the whole time, etc....but teaching must be quite different. Something that worries me is is my mother tongue, wich is not english as you probably guess because of my mistakes hahha

So that's the dilemma. Do i choose the CFI way, or do I try to fight in the GA world. Both difficults and respectable of course


Thanks for your help, any advice will be wellcome.

rickair7777

CFI is a more clear-cut path, it's pretty hard to find a CPL job with 400h unless you know someone who owns an airplane.

CFI will certainly be better for your professional development than say traffic watch.

ckthepilot

CFIs get to mold future pilots but there are other options as far as building time if instructing is not what you want. Banner towing, picto flying, pipeline, jump piloting are all great ways in accumulating time. If you are going to CFI route, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons as your students depend on you and look at you as a role model.

Javichu

exactly, that's what I meant. either one way or the other one, i'll try my best. i consider myself an honest person, so even if i don't pretend to be my "whole" aeronautical life teaching, i'll focuse on that, if it's what i choose.

and it looks the faster way to build experience. i guess i could meet the regional requirements in more or less a couple of years. (the new ones I mean)
and since you have to teach on the ground too, all the theory will be fresh, that's a huge point.