majorityof1

Hey,
I am just about to start my CFI training and I want to hear from other CFIs or former CFIs about where you work. Do you like where you are? What's cool about it, what isn't? What could make it better? If you could choose to CFI elsewhere, where would you go? When I get my rating, I'll submit resumes a lot of places, but I guess this thread it to pin down some 'great' places and see if they are hiring; it seems like most places are hiring.
Thanks for your time.

the King

Middle Tennessee State University. We fly Diamonds and sometimes Pipers (when they fly). I like it, I stay pretty busy. The pay isn't the greatest, but you can certainly fly a lot. We're a university/141 program, so we've had some interesting research projects, but that's a crapshoot sometimes. I love teaching and I want to instruct after I leave the airlines so I'm not in a rush to get out of here, but it still won't be long before I'm competitive. Usually people stay for around 2 years.

oldveedubs

There are pros and cons to both university and FBO teaching. With FBO you will probably have a lot more flexibility. With a university you usually get some pretty good benefits (vision, dental, medical, retirement) as well as some other things like free tuition to work on another degree. It's all about where you want to go. Once you get the rating visit a few places and make up your mind based on equipment, maintenance, pay, student load, and location.

444KA

Also check the reputation of the school. We have two in my neck of the woods that have "colorful" reputations and when their names come up it seems like everyone has to tell you a horror story about them. Why is this important? Because if you sleep with the dogs (work at a less than reputable business) you'll get fleas (a bad rep by association). But then again, bad reps are usually because of poor maintenance, poor aircraft condition, poor service and poor quality of instruction so you probably wouldn't want to work there anyway.

majorityof1

Thanks for your quick responses. As for as University vs. FBO I do not really have a preference (I trained through and FBO). I am mostly looking for lots of flying, pretty motivated students (I know everyone is different, but it seems like with a University they may have more motivation. I could be wrong.), and good people to be around. A few responses alluded to less than reputable places; it would be helpful to know places to stay away from as well (if you want to post it).

sargeanb

In general, large flight academies/universities and smaller FBO flight schools are the two categories of schools to look at. I started out at a smaller flight school. Advantages were that I got to fly with alot of interesting people, ranging from a Korean War vet who flew F-86s, to a CHQ mechanic (didn't know I could use that in an interview later), to a Lufthansa FO who wanted to rent one of our 172s to tour the state. I taught students from several different countries who were getting JAA license conversions. Also flew formation with a Stearman biplane while a filmmaker rode in the back, making a documentary, and I got a free ride in the biplane afterwards out of it! Also, there is the feeling of independence you get at a small FBO (in most cases). You take care of your own paperwork, decide when and how lessons will be conducted, find your own students, arrange your students' checkrides, etc. Keep in mind those items can vary GREATLY by the flight school you work for though. The main disadvantages were lack of resources, particularly complex and multi engine airplanes, airplanes that were either constantly booked or down for maintenance often. Also for about the first 3-4 months I was flying on average maybe 10-15 hours/week, barely getting by financially...you may need a 2nd job for a while, that's how I got through it. It is tough to find your own students sometimes...involves alot of hanging around the airport and greeting visitors, placing ads, etc.

About seven months later my alma mater called, so I began working there (large Part 141/142 university flight program). The main advantage, of course, is a never-ending supply of students...we are ALWAYS busy. Also in general the benefits are MUCH better (health/dental, life insurance, tuition waivers, personal leave pay, etc)...many small flight schools have none at all. Also the equipment is immaculate, maintenance is the best. Sometimes we still have issues getting an airplane (there are 10x the airplanes, but also 10x the students). However there are also disadvantages: Large flight schools usually fly out of larger, busier airports, thus more delays, thus higher flight costs and less happiness from students. Also there is that feeling of someone always looking over your shoulder, and there is a lot of red tape to go through sometimes to get things done. The larger a school gets, the more departmentalized it gets, which leads you and your students to go to five different people to get the same task you could do yourself at a small school. All this is very generalized, but just talk to some current instructors and students about the places you're interested in to get some inside info before applying. Good luck!

Drums4life

I worked at Auburn University, they are constantly hiring and can't hold on to instructors. I was instructing in the twin within a 5 months or so and the potential for doing stage checks is there within about a semester. A descent amount of students, great weather but the pay 14/hour is not that great.

Timmay

ERAU-Prescott. As far as instructing goes, I don't know if you could find a better place to work in terms of benefits. The school has a rock-star retirement plan (5% contribution without you even contributing a dime, matches 100% up to an additional 3%), phenomenal health plan (wife and I had a premature birth a year ago where the total cost was well over 6 figures, we ended up paying less that $1,800 out of pocket), tuition waivers. Great weather 90% of the time. Just like any other place, it has its ups and downs. Pay isn't spectacular, management has a tendency to be a little overbearing (IMO), a lot of students here come from the entitlement generation and are used to everything being supplied for them, so motivation on students' ends is a big snag that's I've run across from time to time. I've been working here just short of two years and am on my way to a regional. But overall, it's not a bad place to work. I love the people I work with, and I will miss Prescott when I'm gone, but not enough to make me stick around. PM me if you have any questions.

Oh, and I forgot to add...whether it's a good thing or bad, I'm not sure, but the instructors here (PRC) are not union like those at the Daytona campus. I don't know enough about that side of things to know any difference, other than I don't have any dues taken out of me check. lol

Holding Short

I never thought about working for a major university. how was it. can you be a student and instruct cause i need to finish getting my degree? what kind of time are they looking for

Drums4life

I liked working at Auburn always had a good amount of students, during the summer the student load decreases but it is still adequate. A lot of instructors are students as well, so if you take classes there you could instruct as well. Plus it is a fun environment to instruct at. CFI is all you need no hour requirement, CFII and MEI would help but is not needed. If you want any contact details let me know or you can search aopa.org for Auburns previous job listings.