Instructing
 

Hi

Do flight instructors all work full time at their school or do some work part time jobs in a non aviation related occupation as well? I was only thinking this because the income is slow low, something else might be needed to help pay down the debt from learning to fly!

Freelance instructors can do whatever they want (many are part time, or just hobby CFI's).

Many schools allow part-timers, but it depends on their needs. Often they will require low-time instructors to be "full-time", but allow senior instructors (2 year CFI's who can sign off CFI applicants) to work part time.

The reality in instructing is that you have to be available when the customer is free...so schools prefer line instructors to be available whenever. It's often a part-time job for junior CFI's anyway until you build up a student base, but you have no control over when you work.

In most places there is a CFI shortage anyway, so you probably will have enough work.

I personally work full time, but the school I work for is hurting for instructors so bad that they have had to change several of their previous "rules".

Its to the point where the Chief CFI is on a part time basis. But then again if you are doing it as a step to get to the airlines wouldnt you want to work full time so you would minimize the total time it takes to move on up? (unless you have a family or other financial obligations that makes it hard)