RomeoSierra

Was in the same situation you were about 7 months ago. Had about 350 hours and a brand new CFI cert and no experience with dual given. I just printed out a lot of resumes and hit the street trying to hit every flight school from the big 141s to the mom and pop FBOs. I got lucky and called back by my University and got a job with only 3 141 students. Sucked for a long time with low pay but I got my CFI-I as fast as i could and got more and am now full time.

My advice would be to post where you are looking for a cfi job and have people list all the flight schools they know and go to them. Most important after you drop off a resume go back there and talk to the owner or chief pilot and let them know that you are interested.

If that doesnt work go to a flight school that you want to work at and get your CFI-I there and they might hire you since they will know you better.

Good Luck

flysooner9

i have a question on free lancing CFI. What are the rules with advertising as a CFI? I know commercial pilots cant post fliers or anything, but what about CFI's and putting business cards on bulletin boards at airports?

HectorD

I think the best thing you could do nowadays is create your own website and work on the SEO for it. Its a long shot but it could get you some traffic. Simple things like going on facebook and stuff could help. Again, networking is key for freelance.

RomeoSierra

You could go to an airport that has a lot of rich people that live in the area that want to buy a bonanza or some cirrus or something and will pay top doller for a cfi to train them.

Heard of a few stories of this in WA at boeing field, and they paid for a place to stay and food for them to go to a flight school to learn the airplane. Would be easy hours and good pay if you could land one of the those people.

mcis987

Snippercr - I am in the exact same situation. I graduated in December with a degree in engineering and all my CFI ratings. I had racked up a little less than 200 hrs of dual in college. The day before graduation, I was informed that I did not get the full-time job I applied for at the university (there was only 1 opening) and that since I did not apply for a part-time job, there was no job for me to come back for in the spring. I have been applying my butt off, but to be perfectly honest, I think it's going to take some luck in getting a CFI job right now. Most people who would normally fly as a hobby are cutting out unnecessary expenditures, and that most definitely includes flying. Other universities seem to not want to give outsiders a job. It's a tough economy, and I wish you the best of luck!

jonnyjetprop

How to get a job. If you live in a large, metro area, start by visiting each and every FBO, flight school and flying club. Find out if they employ CFI's or allow them to operate from their business. Not all CFI's punch clocks. If it's a freelance situation, then you need to sell yourself. It's a skillset that most aviation professionals don't have. While there is no better way than simply being there at the airport, there are other ways to help bring students in. Check out and see if a local community college has a aviation program, but no planes. Volunteer to help at EAA, FAA wings or other aviation community functions. Think about getting specialized training. Become the expert at a specific plane or avionic type; G1000, Cirrus or another type of aircraft. Think about advertising with business cards and a website. Be availabe 24/7 for your students. Be flexable about location.