New CFI looking to relocate to So Cal.
 

Hello I have been a long time lurker, waiting to finish my CFI. I finished up a little over 2 months ago. Unfortunately here in Utah there just aren't many jobs available for CFIs with 0 dual given due to the abundance of colleges offering flight training in this area. I am planning to go to graduate school at UCLA or USC within the next couple years. I need to build my work experience and can't stand to sit around applying to places that tell me they aren't hiring. I would like to do my II/MEI to make myself more marketable, I already have all the lesson plans done, but just can't afford it right away. I was hoping to get a job somewhere and do it through whomever I can get hired by. I was looking to move to the San Diego area and possibly the Los Angeles area if I can't find a decent flight school in SD. I have searched and looked up dozens of airports and flight schools. I was wondering what schools you guys have experience with and recommend. I am planning on making a trip down there and walking my resume in and checking it out for myself, but would like some guidance. Thanks in advance.

if you use the search function, you will find that cfi's have asked this question before. A quick break down in san diego(KMYF/KSEE) you will see a lot of foreign flight instructing at KSEE and a little at KMYF. With 0 dual given in the current overload of flight instructors, it might be hard but KSEE is where I started a few years back. Good luck.

Hmmmmm....I have used the search function, and am just not finding much info, that's why I finally made a thread. There has just been so much stuff to weed through on the internet that I have only found a couple decent options. I appreciate the speedy response. KSEE/KMYF were the places I was looking, I have called some of the schools. I do have a bachelor's degree in aviation (should have done something else, but that's why I am doing grad school) which they seemed to like, but I was wondering what you guys recommend or who you have worked for? Which school did you instruct at at KSEE?

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/fl...alifornia.html

Look into SAA(SEE), SDFTI(MYF), AAA(SEE) and Golden Wings(SEE). I was at National Air College for a bit and the owner has really let down his flight school. It was the only and best one on the field until he decided not to keep at it. I went to AAA but the school was sold to a new owner so I have no idea what its like there. I would recommend SDFTI or SAA. Just be aware that April May June gloom will cut into your flying.

I think a bonus that you can stress is that you'll be there for more than a year. Some places would really like to see that instead of the guys that build just enough time and bail. Just thought I'd add that 2-cents

Yes I plan on instructing for a couple years while I go to grad school, this is why I want to make sure I find some good schools. I am also a server/bartender to help keep me afloat as well. I can handle a little of the gloom there, over here in Utah flying from October to April pretty much is unpredictable thanks to the weather. Nothing but low low ceilings and snow. Thank you for the link, I don't know why when I search I am only getting a handful of results that aren't even useful.

I'd love to live in S.D. if it weren't so freaking expensive. I contemplated it pretty seriously for a while, but I'd have to trade in a house in a decent spot for a teeny efficiency in a marginal neighborhood.

If you have the resources, it would be nice.

I found a nice flight school in so cal that might hire me, but honestly, i dont think anyone will pay me enough to be able to live in long beach and support my wife and baby. you will most definitely have to supplement your CFI job with something else in order to make it.

Thanks so much for the help guys, I actually lucked out and managed to finally land a CFI job without having to relocate. As much as I wanted to get to So Cal this option worked out for the best!

Congratulations on finding a job R Banger. Where will you be instructing?

USMCFLYR