Value of an MEI?
 

I'm working on my commercial and still have a bit of time before I'll be able to get an MEI but I was wondering how valuable an MEI is when applying to a job. I want to end up at Airnet after instructing and was wondering how much an MEI would help me other then for time building and is it worth to get?

If you'll have access to a ME airplane then it's worth it. It's a very easy add-on and shouldn't cost that much.

Actually working as an MEI is rather...educational. Good practice for when you eventually upgrade and have a MCPL holder as an FO :eek:

In today's environment it may not do you much good if you do not have an opportunity to work as an MEI. FBO's and clubs tend to require 100 (or maybe 50) hours of ME in order to teach in their twins (insurance). You would probably need a job opportunity at a flight school for it to be worthwhile.

However, if you're going to buy some twin time anyway, the addtional instructor/checkride fees are probably worth spending to hold the MEI.

It is good practice, however I didn't find it to be cost-effective for me. By the time I purchased 15 hours and got the checkride knocked out I would have spent a couple grand that I don't have. Instead of doing this I logged a couple hours to get current and got out of instructing.

I know more people that have been violated instructing in twins than any other type of flying including some of the really fast singles out there. It requires a much higher attention to detail than any single does because you get into trouble much faster.

Thanks everyone for the input another question I meant to ask but forgot is I see some flight schools will pay for you to get an MEI while your instructing for them(probably doesn't include the 15 hours of multi needed before) is there a catch to this like a longer contract of employment with them or what? Seems a little to good to be true.

Usually they ask you to do just that. They are going to want some type of return on their investment.

Personally, if you have the money or have someone else pay for it, I'd do it. Like any instruction, you learn a lot and it'll make you a better pilot. Plus, later in life its nice to have and makes you more marketable if you need or want to return to instructing.

I wouldn't go out of your way to get it unless you'll have a good chance to use it though. A CFI and CFII will suffice and will give you plenty of opportunities to learn.

Good Luck and don't forget to have fun!

Checko

As far as airnet goes I have a friend who got hired by them without his MEI. I believe the only Multi time he had was from getting his rating. He posts on these boards so you might hear from him too.

If you have an option to use it right away then definitely get it. It's very rewarding, and you'll learn a lot. But if you don't plan on using it, then there's no reason to rush it...just get it when you can afford it for the future if your still active in instructing.

If you get an MEI with the bare minimum hours, can you instruct right away? Are there any insurance issues, i.e. "we require at least XX many multi hours?"

Flight schools (especially larger ones) often pay the insurance to allow low-time MEI's to teach, maybe with 25 hours. They also benefit from having a structured training program.

Clubs, FBO's and smaller schools often require 100 ME to teach because that is what their insurance allows. In a freelance environment there is usually no adult supervision for a junior MEI, so they want more experienced folks.