spank

I instructed there for nearly 2 years. Starting pay is $17/hobbs hr, after 200 billed hrs goes to $23/hr, then after 700 billed hrs goes to $29/hr. Fantastic money IF: 1)Your students aren't d-bags who have a brand new ride from mommy and daddy, yet it still manages to break down atleast once a month. 2) You can deal with having numerous flight slots dropped because of a poor scheduling department and a young, inept dispatch department. 3) You understand that because you're making "so much money" that the higher ups will us that to bend and break you in whatever way they can.

Don't get me wrong, the money was great, I made more there instructing than I do now as a part 121 FO. BUT, the college atmosphere is different than the FBO. I have had some experience instructing outside of WMU's 141 program, and let me be the first to say that the few students that are learning to fly on their OWN TIME and OWN MONEY at an FBO are much more likely to provide consistent income and a less stressful time for you. Not to mention, I was able to pull in almost $100/hr from 2 FBO students who appreciated my teaching techniques and work ethic. At Western, you're more likely to get reprimanded for billing TOO many hours by people that probably couldn't cut it at the next level anyway. I have the utmost respect for a few of the full time instructors there, but you learn with time that some these guys aren't worth their weight in $hit.

Just my .2, go somewhere warm where you can fly year around with all the students you want. (ATP or Pan Am) Best of luck!