CFI at Embry Riddle, or a local fbo?
05-29-2013, 06:18 PM
#11
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Joined APC: Jan 2011
Position: C172
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by IDIOTPILOT
You're gonna get the exact opposite responses on here that you got on the ERAU FB page which has gotten way too many replies.
EDIT: I'll throw in my two cents. You may not necessarily have to do your CFI ride with an actual inspector depending on which FSDO you're in. The Orlando FSDO has their few approved DEs do them so if you're doing it in the area, it'll be with a DE. These DEs are in my opinion, harder than some inspectors in other parts of the country. If you're gonna do it at a FBO, make sure your instructor is familiar with CFI DE checkrides. The knowledgebase for CFI is huge and some will test for this or that. Having an instructor that has put a lot of students up with specific DEs will lesson the chance of a failure. There's no way to learn everything possible, so focusing on certain important tasks will decrease chances of failing. It will cost you less, but you need to be motivated and a good self study person to get it done this way. A place like American Flyers is gonna have a more structured environment and with familiar DEs or inspectors and they know what they're focused on. It's a lot cheaper than Riddle but with some structure too. Personally, if you're not caring about location, I'd go with them.
Riddle has a far more structured environment. You can stay local in Daytona and you'll have a more familiar baseline for checkrides. How you progress in the course is a lot up to you and your instructor. There's a huge difference in the standards instructors expect for your CFI course modules. As far as Riddle hiring instructors, it all depends on the hiring needs. Just do well on those interviews. Some will say it makes a difference in standardization. They significantly changed the standards process a few years ago to make it more a learning process for everyone. It shouldn't be a problem. They've hired many non-Riddle CFI trained people in the past, and they will continue to do so. If this is important to you, consider is spending another $10,000 worth not having to spend another few hours learning how Riddle wants a specific flow done. Go observe some CFI flights at Riddle if that's what you're worried about it. It's free.
A word of advice, the guy who's mainly replying to you on FB is talking a lot about how it helped him get an instructor gig at his airline. Ask around about how he got the job to become a FO there in the first place.
EDIT: I'll throw in my two cents. You may not necessarily have to do your CFI ride with an actual inspector depending on which FSDO you're in. The Orlando FSDO has their few approved DEs do them so if you're doing it in the area, it'll be with a DE. These DEs are in my opinion, harder than some inspectors in other parts of the country. If you're gonna do it at a FBO, make sure your instructor is familiar with CFI DE checkrides. The knowledgebase for CFI is huge and some will test for this or that. Having an instructor that has put a lot of students up with specific DEs will lesson the chance of a failure. There's no way to learn everything possible, so focusing on certain important tasks will decrease chances of failing. It will cost you less, but you need to be motivated and a good self study person to get it done this way. A place like American Flyers is gonna have a more structured environment and with familiar DEs or inspectors and they know what they're focused on. It's a lot cheaper than Riddle but with some structure too. Personally, if you're not caring about location, I'd go with them.
Riddle has a far more structured environment. You can stay local in Daytona and you'll have a more familiar baseline for checkrides. How you progress in the course is a lot up to you and your instructor. There's a huge difference in the standards instructors expect for your CFI course modules. As far as Riddle hiring instructors, it all depends on the hiring needs. Just do well on those interviews. Some will say it makes a difference in standardization. They significantly changed the standards process a few years ago to make it more a learning process for everyone. It shouldn't be a problem. They've hired many non-Riddle CFI trained people in the past, and they will continue to do so. If this is important to you, consider is spending another $10,000 worth not having to spend another few hours learning how Riddle wants a specific flow done. Go observe some CFI flights at Riddle if that's what you're worried about it. It's free.
A word of advice, the guy who's mainly replying to you on FB is talking a lot about how it helped him get an instructor gig at his airline. Ask around about how he got the job to become a FO there in the first place.
05-29-2013, 06:20 PM
#13
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Joined APC: Jan 2011
Position: C172
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by flyeryder
I thought Riddle had a fast track CFI program over the summer where you do both your CFI/II in a couple of months AND you got a good chance at an interview. I would ask about that before making your decision. If they don't offer this anymore, I would go with FBO, but talk to a Riddle CFI and see if they can help you with a CFI book.
05-29-2013, 06:20 PM
#14
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Joined APC: Jan 2011
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Posts: 33
Originally Posted by Thedude
Get your CFI on where you plan to instruct.
Many years ago I started my CFI at Riddle at there was just way too much extra stuff you had to do for your "CFI Class". Such as building the instructor notebook that you were graded on. As things go, I ended up having to drop out of my first semester of Grad school and that included the CFI program.
(Yes, I got my undergrad at Riddle and this was before the instructors were unionized)
About a year later, I went to another CFI 141 school. There was no filler and BS to the program like at Riddle. Inside of 30 days I had my CFI, CFI-I, IGI & AGI and they offered my a job to boot.
So, unless you expect to instruct at Riddle, I would go elsewhere.
Many years ago I started my CFI at Riddle at there was just way too much extra stuff you had to do for your "CFI Class". Such as building the instructor notebook that you were graded on. As things go, I ended up having to drop out of my first semester of Grad school and that included the CFI program.
(Yes, I got my undergrad at Riddle and this was before the instructors were unionized)
About a year later, I went to another CFI 141 school. There was no filler and BS to the program like at Riddle. Inside of 30 days I had my CFI, CFI-I, IGI & AGI and they offered my a job to boot.
So, unless you expect to instruct at Riddle, I would go elsewhere.
05-30-2013, 06:15 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: BD-700A
Posts: 210
Go local, better yet look at ATP in Jax. I made the mistake of doing my Instrument @ ERAU. Took me a year. Finished SEL/MEL Commercial in 2 weeks @ ATP. Your still spoonfed and not dropping a new car loan to get it.
05-30-2013, 12:36 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: Retired
Posts: 651
It is time for you to get over your fear of the FAA. They put their pants on one leg at a time, and they will be in the background for your entire career.
You also need to get used to studying your ass off. Many employers will expect you to be knowledgeable and will NOT be paying for spoon feeding.
Sorry to be blunt, but these are simple truths.
You also need to get used to studying your ass off. Many employers will expect you to be knowledgeable and will NOT be paying for spoon feeding.
Sorry to be blunt, but these are simple truths.
05-31-2013, 01:58 PM
#19
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Joined APC: May 2012
Position: 757
Posts: 26
Ill give you a brief run down as I was in a situation where I was asking this question. I graduated and had my CMEL and like 195 hrs and an interview at ASA at the time. Passed the interview in ATL got the handshake from D.R. down there and then low and behold they furloughed like 150 people and my butt is sitting in a hiring pool. No telling how long it would be. I asked one of the team managers or supervisors or what have you at Riddle for a CFI program and they told me 6 month wait for an instructor plus the program took about a year if I recall. I went across the field in Prescott mind you and inquired about doing my CFI there. It was notably cheaper! I also got my rating in a month or so and started working as a CFI teaching private pilots while I worked on my CFII and MEI and they slowly gave me more students. Once I passed my MEI (all of this took till about 2 1/2 months while working part time at the same place) I had a boat load of students and a steady albeit small paycheck as one can expect from being an instructor.
Yes the training at ERAU is great but don't think that FBO training can't also be great. I used all my materials from school. Even syllabus, maneuvers guides, cheat sheets etc. from ERAU for all of my part 61 students. (141 u need to stick to the program) You paid a ton of money for access to all of those resources and you should continue to use them even if you don't train or work there anymore. You don't have to lower your standards if you go to ATP or another FBO come in prepared like you always have and you will fly through your courses. Those folks like high standards too! I have interviewed at like 5 airlines now and received offers from every one of them. Nobody has ever asked me about where I was a CFI because I'm assuming they really don't care. Your first interview at an airline will consist of WHAT you did as an instructor rather than WHERE. Get the rating wherever you can get it quickly, economically, and hopefully get a job there after. Don't forget to try to shoot for someplace you can get multi time too! Build your time and then GTFO! (unless you want to instruct as a career...not trying to look down on that it just isn't for me)
Yes the training at ERAU is great but don't think that FBO training can't also be great. I used all my materials from school. Even syllabus, maneuvers guides, cheat sheets etc. from ERAU for all of my part 61 students. (141 u need to stick to the program) You paid a ton of money for access to all of those resources and you should continue to use them even if you don't train or work there anymore. You don't have to lower your standards if you go to ATP or another FBO come in prepared like you always have and you will fly through your courses. Those folks like high standards too! I have interviewed at like 5 airlines now and received offers from every one of them. Nobody has ever asked me about where I was a CFI because I'm assuming they really don't care. Your first interview at an airline will consist of WHAT you did as an instructor rather than WHERE. Get the rating wherever you can get it quickly, economically, and hopefully get a job there after. Don't forget to try to shoot for someplace you can get multi time too! Build your time and then GTFO! (unless you want to instruct as a career...not trying to look down on that it just isn't for me)
05-31-2013, 05:39 PM
#20
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Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,222
Talk to ALLATP's, I think they have some program where you can do your CFI/II/MEI fairly quick and somewhat painless. Checkrides are usually pretty easy, I've heard, since they use the same people over and over etc...
I think they offer MEI jobs right out of the gate? Atleast a buddy of mine did that 5 or 6 years ago....
Never went to ALLATP's but seems like a painless way to get a MEI job quickly
I think they offer MEI jobs right out of the gate? Atleast a buddy of mine did that 5 or 6 years ago....
Never went to ALLATP's but seems like a painless way to get a MEI job quickly
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