Getting Tossed into Anchorage
 

Hi all, long time reader of APF, but first time I'm starting a thread. Seeking advise about a move that I'm making. My g/f has moved to Alaska and I'm slated to take the plunge join her in November. I have a Comm-Multi-Inst, but have been working outside of Aviation and just flying on the side the past couple of years. I want to get my CFI and CFI-I, but there are two things I'm wondering. First, whether I should get it in the lower 48 or somewhere in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area where I currently reside or should I get it in Alaska keeping in mind that I'll be moving up there during winter. Second, is there as much of a demand for CFI's in Alaska as the lower 48. I know several spots where I should land a position here in the Midwest, but I'm not too sure about Alaska. I really don't seek to become a bush pilot up there, my real desire is to teach and instruct. Thanks for any advise given!

I dont know of any "good"and schools up here in ANC (merrill field), but i do know of a few schools. Demand for flight instructors is supposeldy high, but I'm pretty sure they are treated as the typical "contract"-kinda-not-really-an-employee of the school, like many flight instructors. So i wouldn't count on benefits or fair work rules. Pretty sure if you're a cfi/cfii you should be able to build hours and imc here relatively easily.

Getting your CFI tickets in the lower 48 might be cheaper, but getting them in ANC might be advantageous to getting a job. As far as flight schools at MRI, I believe the big one is Land & Sea Aviation, who I believe recently bought Take Flight Alaska. That said, TFA still has its own website. I dunno...... There's also Aero Tech but I don't know their status after the founder passed away a while back. Also check into UAA.

I've had some good friends instruct at the Elmendorf AFB Aero Club and stay pretty busy.

As for the "bush pilot" stuff, I wouldn't discount it if I were you depending on how long you plan on being there. 1,000 hours can usually get you into a 207 with a much better paycheck than instructing and 2 weeks off a month + jumpseats. Just a thought.

From the title of your query, it does not sound like you're too happy about it. Are you sure you want to go?

It was a failed attempt at wit. I'm excited about the move, I'm excited about the girl, I'm especially excited about getting back into the air on a regular basis. Like all other moves, there are moving parts, and the biggest one is feeling confident that I can find a pilot position there.

Great advice. I was thinking of getting my CFI initial here in the Midwest, but get my CFI-I ticket in a Alaska. I imagine examiners there are busy and expensive.

Getting Tossed into Anchorage
 

$400-ish seems to be the going rate. YMMV.

Getting your CFI initial in the lower 48 sounds like a good plan. You may find a situation where you can teach primary students while getting your -I.

Skip the cfi and go for a pilot position at Empire or Ace. You'll be flying in beautiful country, home every night and still be able to enjoy everything that ANC has to offer.

CFI in Alaska will give you a greater chance of getting hired.

I'd love to work for Empire or Ace or any Part 121, at the same time I'm realistic and despite my ratings, having a university degree in aviation, and CRJ training - I'm still a low time pilot and have no Alaska time, thus CFI is where I likely have to go. I also wouldn't mind that cause my goal is to come back and find a right seat position with a regional back in the lower 48 eventually, so I figure they'd like to see more instruction hours than bush flying hours.

I'm planning right now to get my double I there and possibly MEI if my savings account hasn't been killed by then. I'd rather go through my initial CFI in the lower 48 for cost and training in January and February reasons.