rolo

I'm a pilot and A&P who is looking to relocate to New York sometime after I finish my CFI/II/MEI training in July. My big question is: what are the odds of finding instructor work in the NYC area? I'm willing to commute to smaller GA airports and I'd also try to work as an A&P to sweeten the deal and maybe make some extra money. But nonetheless I'm curious if this would even be possible, are there general aviation airports in the area that might hire? Would it be possible to make enough for the high cost of living up there? General advice on the subject is greatly appreciated.

Judge Smails

It depends on where you want to go around the NYC area. NJ or Long Island are options, neither of which are cheap to live. There are a few flight schools at FRG and ISP on Long Island. I'm not sure what CFI pay is at any of the schools there. Rent on Long Island for a 1 bedroom apartment runs around $1000+/month, and they are usually either a basement or on the second floor of a house. There are very few apartment complexes, and they are $$. Hope this helps a little.

StartUp161WanaB

wana try to narrow down which area exactly you are relocating to? Northern nj has a flight school looking for flight instructors, greenwood lake. You may want to try farmingdale, as they were looking for instructors as well.

highsky

NYC is one of the greatest, if not the greatest city in the World. I love it, and at one point in my life, seriously considered Manhattan.

Just take a LOT of money with you. You're going to need it.

rolo

Well where I go in the city would depend where I could find work. I'm thinking if I end up working on Long Island Ill try to find a place around Brooklyn or Queens. Basically I'm not too specific on where I live, I'm just hoping to get my foot in the city and near a place of work. I'll look at those places, thank you. If I'm not looking at moving until I finish my CFI in July/August, is it too early to call around flight schools inquiring about work?

Flying Ninja

Start your research in the local airports in NY and NJ. Also, keep in mind, if you are going to be doing CFI, you're in the northeast. When the snow storms come rolling in, you're not going to be flying. If you're looking to build time or have year round flying, consider FL, AZ, or CA.

NYC/LI is expensive. If you decide on LI, you'll need a car. Public transportation will leave you with at least a mile walk from the train station. Consider your commute. During the summer weekends, most highways on LI are congested unless you leave early in the morning. During the week, you'll have commuters between 7-10am and 3-7pm slowing you down. And the NY State Police have nothing better to do than to give out traffic and speeding tickets on the highways. If I were you, I'd avoid LI. Live in NYC and hit up the NJ airports or KHPN.

rev4life03

Ninja is right about the weather. Lived here in the hudson valley all my life and the winters are a drag. I'd say between Mid November to April, the flying will be slow. When its not snowing the clouds are low. When its a clear day the winds are howling. Just be prepared when those times come.

highsky

All great advice.

Work in NJ. Of course, also living in NJ would be less expensive, and a lot of guys love it there. Just ask Bon Jovi or Springsteen how they feel about their State.

But I wouldn't blame you for having a hard-on for living in NYC. I'm just saying NJ would be a good living option too for you perhaps, if you need to pull the throttle back financially.

rolo

Im glad you understand, hah. I'm just hitting a point soon where relocation is possible and I figured it never hurt to research my favorite places as possibilities.

Everything replied to me is great advice that Ill take to heart, thanks guys. Hopefully the winter months will provide mechanic work so I'm not completely done in bad weather. One last thing I'm completely oblivious about is when to start contacting places about employment. I'm not finished with my flight training for another month or two, but would it be beneficial to start asking around now so they know I exist and will be looking to apply?

Flying Ninja

Start collecting flight school names and find out who the chief pilot and/or hiring managers are at each. This way by the time you're done, you have a list of places to call instead of starting from square one.

Good luck!