SkyHigh

Pip,

I like you. Keep the heat on. You have well developed and thoughtful arguments. I may come on strong at times but I have the only the best of intents. I didn't like being an instructor by the way, but am still current and qualified. I do some part time CFI work to keep current. Doctors and dentists enjoy my airline stories. I hope you count me as a friend.

All the best,

SkyHigh

Pilotpip

Healthy debate is good. It keeps things in perspective. The only thing I can't stand is people that can't support their beliefs. I'm finding myself in here more and more because a lot of you guys are that way, and I enjoy the knowledge you're imparting. After years lurking in the airliners.net boards with a ton of posers, and a few real industry people I find the guys and gals in here to be a refreshing change. I have the feeling that you're the type of guy that I could have a raging arguement with over a beer, and by the bottom of the mug have a deep respect for you regardless of our agreement. You're strong in your convictions, I think that's important.

SkyHigh

Thanks,
See you around the forum.

SkyHigh

Mach Knockers

FuelJetA's down in FXE, so I thought I'd answer for him. He's now flying from PNE, but he can be seen hanging around E.C.J. with me regularly. I'm not flying these days, as a 14 month old makes that a bit tough. So, I clean the interiors of E.C.J.'s planes. It pays, keeps me in aviation and lets me work with the babe.

Was that your suggestion, Pip? It's such a cute term!

FuelJetA, and maybe me, too, will be at Avmats relatively soon, with a Sabre not yet bound for a third world country. She needs some avionics work and that's where she goes. We'll let you know if he/we're headed there.

Oh, and to try to make this post make sense....I'm FuelJetA's wife. I used to fly, desperately miss it and will probably look for some part time work now that JetA's schedule is more able to accomodate watching the boy once in a while.

ultradrvr

40k are kidding me!!! Please!! If your not cooking the books and you are telling the truth...then go gettem tiger!!! Yur the man!

Skyhigh....(long pause)...I cant believe I'm gonna say this, but here goes...I agree with you about the low pay used car salesman thing...get in get the hours and get out...people these threads are proof positive that variety is the spice of life...do what works for you, and who gives a (southend of a north bound rat) what anybody else thinks...CFI/II was a stepping stone to corporate (opps I forgot to include the military flying)which was a stepping stone to the majors....which was a stepping stone back to corporate (furloughed) which will be a stepping stone back to the majors....very soon. Did I lose anybody?? Anyway its not for everybody, however if you gonna do it do it right (I forget who said it) the students derserve your best.

Pilotpip

MachKnockers,

You're not taking it to Perryville? I have a fond connection to the Sabre. The FBO I'm working at is in a building owned by Sabreliner. The hangar currently contains paperwork and drawings on all kinds Sabre stuff. There's a few nacelles sitting around for the Garrett conversion and the Flight Saftey sims are right across the street. I see (and hear) plenty of the dinosaurs. Then there's Avmats, two doors down from the flight school at SUS.

If you guys stay up here at SUS for a few days while the plane is getting worked on let me know, I'll be more than happy to point you in the direction of good restaurants and nightlife.

Mach Knockers

Perryville, MD, pip? No. I haven't heard why Bossman uses Avmats, but I do know that's where his avionics are done. His mx is done at FXE, Ft. Lauderdale.

Your FBO sounds like an interesting place for sabre drivers to check out. Though I know little of sabre systems yet, I look forward to checking out your facility if I make it out that way.

SkyHigh

Do what works for you. True statement. "The students derserve your best" also good.

SkyHigh

Pilotpip

Perryville, MO. Where sabres go to cheat death until another day!

FuelJetA

Nah, we go to AvMats for avionics at SUS and this Sabre (a 1981) is FAR from being shipped south. This bird is a real joy to fly with a ton of new avionics, revamped panel and a brand new EFB system. This baby will be one of the nicest around (we are going to be doing paint and interior in the very near future.) The owner is considering a European compliant refit as well with 8.33 spacing, FM immunity, and TCAS 2. We an HF airplane with RVSM and Stage III compliance certification (731-3D mods.) This baby will go to 450 and stay there for 5.5 to 6.5 hours at mach .76-.78 or go FL390 @ mach .82 for 4 hours. Needless to say, it's a nice bird.

I also wanted to share my experiences as a flight instructor...
I did the slow flight school thing for a while and did sit around and compete for students. Then, I went back to Vero Beach and taught for Paris Air where I earned $15 an hour but go 1000 hours in 10 months, half of it was multi. I also did ground training, probably 7 or 800 hours of that. Add it up and you'll see that I took home less than 20K that year, but I waltzed into a job flying a Chieftain and later an Avanti.

If you are not getting treated well as a flight instructor, find a new job. If you don't like your pay, find a new job, if you fly broken airplanes or don't get enough students or your not doing the kind of work you want....FIND A NEW JOB! There are tons of business owners out there who prey on people willing to take a lot less then they are worth. The more instructors that use this as a step and deal with the BS the worse the situation gets for the next guy.

Case in point, I worked for a company who wanted to make me sleep on a couch in their condo when the place was full instead of getting me a hotel. I simply told them that I would not, under any circumstances, sleep on a fricking couch and that I wanted a bed. They put me up in the Marriott. I will stand up for myself, as all pilots should. You paid a lot to get where you are. You have valuable skills, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't let yourself be mistreated.

I also would like to refute the claim that flight instruction is dangerous. Compared to single pilot cargo 135 ops it's a cake walk.

The claim that corporate is all about military...that seems completely off to me. I have NEVER meant a pilot that was flying military and prefers to hire ex-military. In fact, most flight dept heads that I know are civilian guys. Most started as lineman or flight instructors. Generally airport rats who paid their dues and eventually made it.

Just my .02

Have a great day!