I am pretty sure that I want work as a CFI since from all that I have been reading it seems like an invaluable experience. If you instructed at a University like Riddle or UND, is it possible to work on a masters degree? (preferably for free). By this I mean, being a full time instructor I am sure that you are pretty busy, so I wasn't sure if it was actually a doable thing if the school offers free education. Has anybody done this because I am very attracted to this idea. Say that you instruct at an FBO for 2 or 3 years and build some time...yes a very good way to go. But what about if you have the opportunity to instruct at a university and get that masters degree at the same time? What a deal!! Thoughts?

 

I've instructed at both. I preferred the university for a number of reasons including:

Not having to fight for students.
You can focus on teaching, rather than being a salesman.
Salaried in many cases so you don't get punished for bad wx.
FANTASTIC health insurance and other benefits like free tuition
I think it's easier to teach younger students who are still in an education setting versus 50 year olds who don't like a 22 year old telling them what to do.
Your fellow instructors should be a strong support network due having no need to compete for new students.

The cons:

I didn't fly as much as I did at an FBO.
I worked 60-80 hours a week so finding time to work on a masters was impossible.
Couldn't fly because of the weather? You still came in, briefed and sat behind a frasca.
I still had to have a second job because pay was awful.

I school was unique with a couple of these. During the hiring boom a few of us started fighting hard for pay raises. When we didn't get them, 90% of the instructors left for regionals within about three weeks. The result, they got a significant pay raise. If I were still instructing there, I'd be able to afford living with one job and attending classes. .

 

I know a couple people at MTSU that instructed while working on a Masters in Aerospace Education. MTSU pays for your tuition for the Masters if you work as a Grad. Assistant too and most of the time all that entails is teaching ground classes for some of the busier professors. I know the people that did this were almost full time at the airport too.

 

Florida Tech will also pay for your masters degree if you work as a full time instructor. You will get tons of hours, fly brand new planes, and live in sunny Florida. Cant beat that

 

sounds very good, but the question remains is it doable? Let's say you already pretty busy with instructing and have some down time. Would you rather spend that time on a masters (which can be very hectic) or relax (which also has its benefits, especially for a busy CFI). Hmm...I would really like to talk to somebody who has actually done this...Sounds good but I would rather be less stressed especially when flying a lot.

 

I'm sure it's still not any harder than being a reserve F/O for a regional

 

It's very doable. I know four people that have done it. Three MBAs, and a masters in aviation safety. Forget about having a life for a few years.

 

I think I can actually live with that. I was one of those people who was really sad to graduate... The thought of going back to school (while being a CFI) sounds pretty good, so I am seriously considering going this way. School was fun writing papers at 3 in the morning, studying for tests. That's the life!!

 

a whole lot of the instructors are doing it now. Its a perfect time now with the hiring freezes to build your hours teaching during the day, and increasing your credentials taking classes at night.

 

I know several friends that have returned to Western Michigan University to work on MBAs while instructing. Really not that bad of a gig. WMU now offers medical and Tuition. I'm not sure on the particulars, the benefits package started about a year ago shortly after I left the College. Even before the benefits package I was doing all right there: $29 an hour Hobbs and ground, and $15 and hour for working at the desk. I know right now that they're not hiring but they do keep a pool of applicants that they hire from.

If you have any questions let me know. They have a fairly new fleet Cirrus and Piper products for complex.