Has anyone here ever worked at FSI as an SIC instructor? Just curious what kind of pay and benefits one can expect? I've been debating leaving a sinking regional for this position and just trying to figure out if it'd be worth it. I'm trying to make my way into the corporate world eventually and figured this would be a good start. Thanks for your input!

 

This one has come up many times before, use the search window in the upper left corner to find the other threads.

Here's the first one I found-FlightSafety SIC.

 

I've got a bunch of friends that have taken that route..the best way in is to instruct down in Vero Beach. They Negotiated pay/benefits through the center. Some kept their pay rate they had a FSI Vero (around $16-$18 an hour)..some got full time with benefits, some didn't..sounds like a case by case basis.

 

I guess I should add that it's not exclusively people from Vero..however I don't know if they have internal recs or whatnot.

Also, everyone I know that does it has a pretty good gig. Most were or will get multiple types for a year contract..which is nothing considering the cost of say a GV type. Also seems the DFW and Savannah centers are among the best..depending on what jet you're looking for.

Hope that helps!

 

There's really no such thing as an "SIC instructor." You're either an instructor or an SIC, not both. SIC is typically a part time hourly position. Several centers are hiring instructors right now. The Bell center in Fort Worth is being consolidated with the DFW center, making the DFW center the flagship of the system. As indicated DFW is coveted both for its size and variety of aircraft. As an instructor you can generate at least Regional 10 year captain pay, a 401k that matches 50% up to 8%, 75% tuition reimbursement, and good medical benefits ($25 copay, free yearly physical, etc). And you're home every night.

In addition some centers have agreements that allow instructors to fly contract and be paid on top (outside) of their FSI salary. To encourage this, some centers pay for 1st class medicals outside of your normal health care plan. This is determined by individual center management. PM with specific questions.

 

FWIW, they let the SIC interns do contracts too for some extra coin.

 

FSI is a double-edged sword if you want to fly. Although the contacts are great, you'll be losing currency and operational experience in the aircraft. I've seen companies handle this different ways. I know companies that have hired FSI instructors directly into the seat after years of flying inactivity, and others that won't touch you with a ten foot pole if you don't have recency of experience and a certain number of PIC hours in type regardless of how well they like you. As it was explained to me, "the days of a handshake and a job offer from the chief pilot are gone". Now you've got to deal with the myriad of HR based prerequites. So if you're out flying you never make the contacts and if you're instructing in the sim you're not out flying.

However, SICs are a different story. I've personally known/seen SICs with very limited experience get picked up for flying gigs full time. In these cases the SIC had been employed less than or near a year.

The makeup of FSI is changing slightly as well. It used to be considered a retirement job. Now the average age of an instructor is getting lower. This is probably the result of where the industry is right now. That and the longer you stay the perceived stability and accrued benefits (sick time, vacation, etc) make it more difficult to leave for the bottom of a seniority list somewhere.

 

If I understand correctly it is part time, do you also have to sign some type of contract?

 

Never seen one or heard of one at FSI for instructors or SICs.

 

Met a very young female intern in Tuscon several months ago who was transferring to Savanah to be a G-550 SIC. There you go............