dmb911

Hello everyone!, New to the Forum.
Got a quick question out there for students/instructors.
Currently a Comm/instrument/multi pilot with 210+ hours and am looking for a good place to get my CFI/CFII/MEI. I went to one of the large academy's in Florida but have since moved and would like to stay away from living there again. I looked at ATP, and for the price seems to be a pretty good gig however I don't want them dictating where I'm going to be teaching at. The other is I would rather not have to wait a while until i'm instructing, would like to start as soon as my ratings are finished. Started looking into AirSafety Academy in Phoenix. Looks to be pretty good (did a search on the forum and didn't find much about them). It's twice the price as ATP for the CFI's but give you about 3 times the hours to train in. Of course their using brand new Sr20's and am told that I could instructing very soon after finishing (meaning weeks, not months).
Does anybody have experience with these guys? Has anybody at least looked in to going/insructing there? I'm going next week to take a tour of school/area but would like as much input or information as possible.
Thanks for your help!!!

rickair7777

Two of your key deciding factors should be:

1) Will they hire me after I get my ratings? (note: some schools "hire" all CFI graduates, but you will sit around with 38 other CFI's and fly once a month). Actually this may not be as important today as in the past, I think there is a CFI shortage due to regional hiring.

2) Where will I get my multi-engine time? 100 hours is good enough in todays market, but that will change, so assume you will need 300 to be competetive for a regional job. Many schools have little or no MEI opportunities. You might be able to freelance MEI on the side at the FBO, but you will need 100 ME hours to teach twins at most clubs. A CFI with 2000 single engine hours has about the same airline employment opportunities as a 60 hour private pilot (none whatsoever).

dmb911

I currently have 60+ hours multi, ASF quotes an additional 28 for their MEI- initial, so I'll be right behind the 100hr. mark but i see your point on the "might require more in the future" remark. Is it unreasonable to ask a school for something in writing about employment after finishing the ratings? I plane on talking to several instructors while i'm there. Thanks for the advice.. anymore is greatly appreciated!

rickair7777

I doubt they would give you much in writing. Their needs could change (though normally there is a steady attrition of senior CFIs) and they really need to see how you perform before they hire you.

Like I mentioned, some schools say they "hire" all grads, but being "hired" is not the same as having a steady number of hours and income per week. You only work when work is available, and if there are a lot of more senior CFI's, you won't get much work (until they leave). Usually folks in that situation go find jobs elsewhere, which is what the schools expect you to do...but they can say they "hire" 98% of all grads!

dmb911

That all sounds quite familiar. Although i know some schools are harder to "get-on" with than others pending their "needs" at the time. I've been told that Air Safety currently has 14-15 instructors and 60-65 students which looks like a pretty good ratio.
I guess my only further question is to find out if anyone has hands-on experience with this one particular academy? Or know of anyone that has looked at attending/teaching there?
Thanks again for your help thus far!