CFI vs. other lowish hour options
 

I recently finished my CFI rating and have 268 hours. Is there really any other options other than being a CFI to build hours to atleast 500? The stuff I've been able to find, it seems everyone is asking for atleast 500 at a minimum, even for simple charter ops.

Traffic watch, banner towing, inflight mapping, and flying jumpers. Search the forums and you might be able to find more info.

I have found that it's very difficult to find information about these types of jobs online. You almost have to have a connection with it!

Then get off the internet, get out to the airport and start networking!!!!!!

Good luck, you're about to be competing with a lot of guys that have a lot more time than a couple hundred hours. You might want to consider hanging it up if you don't want to instruct for more than a couple hundred hours.

Nono, I'd love to instruct, it's just that none of the places around me need CFI's at the moment and I need to get hours (and money) somehow. I did all my flight training at Western Michigan University (Will be a senior in the fall) and so i've been "hanging" out at an airport for three years now and it's just that not many people do these other non-CFI type jobs.

I probably will have to get out there though, it's just that I can't find any sort of phone numbers or places to visit online anywhere.

suck it up and instruct the rest, it'll teach you a lot... you learn a million different ways of how not to do something. While doing this... try to ride along with some single pilot 91's and use that to network.

Nono, you guys are not understanding. I have not instructed an hour, I just got my CFI. However, while im waiting for a CFI job to open up nearby, what else can I do with 275 hours to make some money while flying? I understand it will be very difficult to find something... I just wanted some opinions

There isn't really much you can do with these flight times. I'd do what poster #5 stated and try to get a job as a CFI. Until then, maybe sell hotdogs or watermelons. The CFI jobs will soon be down to $7/hour again, there is a lot of high time tinpushers getting very, very desperate. Your best bet is some FBO that looks for a parttimer. I know one 1200 and one 600 hour pilot who can't find squat. You surely have some other skills you could use?

Best is to wait a few years. It'll come back up again, eventually. :)
Good luck!

Skydive Hastings is looking for part-timers (if you are from MI). I don't know what the pay is though...but it's worth a shot...

It may take you moving to another state to instruct.

http://www.teachmetofly.com --- America Winds Flight Academy - Akron, OH --- They offer to help you obtain your CFII, and also advertise that they let you fly the Part 91 legs when they charter their Seneca II. Starting pay is around $20/hr. (Which is better then some Regionals, AND better then teaching at most University flight schools)

That is the only flight school that I could find on Climbto350.com that was advertising --- or I should say the only surrounding state of MI that I could find.

Good luck.