PiperArrow

I did some research on here and found some old threads. Anyone have any current info? I was offered a CFI job here and was told I could expect around 3 to 5 hours a day. Anyone... Anyone...

JohnnyG

I haven't worked there but I have friends who have and I interviewed there before choosing somewhere else. I frequent Castle airport, the former B-52 base that Sierra is at.

There are bad things and good things to be said about many flight schools. Sierra is probably what you make of it. It's not the best location or the best aircraft or students. Atwater is WAY out there in the central valley of california. I don't mind the valley, but many people hate it. You have thick 'tule' fog sometimes and boiling temps others. The aircraft Sierra flies are pretty bad, like very basic 150s and such. They have had a few accidents down there, most related to soloing students.

Have you tried transpac? I have a lot of experience teaching foreigners, and it's not for everyone. The burnout rate is very high. Depending on the nationality and even region of their nation, the culture and the way they learn can make it very frustrating on the instructor. You can negate some of this stress by attempting to teach at a higher-end flight school with nicer planes and a more professional atmosphere.

A true professional will get the job done anywhere to the best of their ability. I don't want to dog Sierra, but I just want to make sure you know the downsides.

morerightrudder

Couple of buddies just hired on there. They were promised four students each once they completed standardization. Pay is not great, about $16 an hour IIRC, but it does include ground and pre-flight and post-flight. Housing is provided to CFIs. I'm told it's the old Officers Quarters on the base.

PiperArrow

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like all the previous information is still applicable.

Horrible aircaft
Students with a language barrier
Low pay

However you can build time fast and lodging is free.

It's decision time.

JohnnyG

A lot of these schools that tell you that you can build time fast are full of it. Their contracts come and go. Ask them how many students they have, and how many instructors they have. That'll give you an idea.

Try Transpac. They are reputable and have air conditioned planes. If you're apt to try Sierra, don't make a production out of moving there. Try living there for a short period of time and testing it out.

The only schools with flight time right now ARE schools with foreign students. ATP is your best bet for career progression with domestics. Since you're not bringing that up, you may not have gone there for school.

MD90PIC

I'm long past the CFI route, but I was told that Republic Airways is giving out COE's to ATP instructors. I've read good and bad things about the place. It seems like it could be a starting point for low time guys.

JohnnyG

ATP is one of the only flight schools out there that sticks their neck out for CFIs. They are a rotten business to deal with, but they help people get up and out.

morerightrudder

The ATP-Republic program is for students who do all their training at ATP and then work at ATP as CFIs. Still, ATP is a pretty good place to build multi.

MD90PIC

Well it sounds like it could turn out to be a pretty good program, especially with the new American agreement. With all those new aircraft, I bet the upgrade time will drop substantially. I have several friends who still work there and for the most part, they really enjoy the flying. The number one complaint I hear is about the low FO pay. I flew the 170/190 for almost a year and really enjoyed the aircraft, the MCDU,PFD,MFD, auto throttles, etc, work great. You really appreciate them after you go back into an antiquated airframe from the 1980's. What does this mean for Eagle? I've heard that it is mainly AA routes that are being taken and it will only have a marginal effect on Eagle's flying.

PiperArrow

Thanks guys. I'm going to standardization class in February. I'll post info after awhile see how goes.