I have my instrument and commercial with 460 hours. I have a degree in airport management and managed an airport for six years and I am currently an ops manager. That being said the management has been ok...it pays very well but your stuck looking out a window watching other people fly all day and there are lots of other not so fun things you have to deal with. So I have been thinking about trying my pilot career again getting my CFI and multi and work on building my time and see what happens. Just looking for any advice? What sort of $ and time are we talking for the CFI?

 

CFI initial ballpark $3k depending on aptitude and currency, CFII ballpark $3k, maybe a little less assuming you are current, ME add-on $2k; MEI maybe another $2k.

Of these certs the CFI initial is the one you really need to be slow and tedious about. Do not take it lightly or it will be a very tough go. The FAA wants true believers for this certificate and it is not a casual add-on rating. However, once you get that one done you can knock out the ME add-on, CFII and MEI in the same twin engine airplane to save money and increase your chance of success. The CFI initial is done in a complex single. Be very proactive about prepping for & taking the two writtens you need for this path, I would start with those and see if you like the subject enough to work at it every day. Aim for 95% on those.

I hope you have a lot of cash to dump into this, not only because of the flight training you will shell out for well above $10k in costs but due to teaching profession being so poorly paid when you actually get to work. Expect full time work to gross around $30k per year at most locations flying sun up to sun down. On the other hand, if you are bitten by the flying bug like many of us are you will do it anyway, so have fun. I always liked teaching but I was never able to do it full time. Very few ever make money at it and those who even make that $30k have to bust their butts. Teaching is best seen as a labor of love.

 

It's funny that you're the first person that I have heard actually using a degree in Airport Management to actually manage an airport.

Most pilots get that degree to be able to check the "4 year degree box"

Cool to see someone use it

 

I won't be doing it for the money...I couldn't raise my family on that. I think it would complete my aviation career and allow me to stay current while producing safe pilots while building my logbook in case a gig comes along that I couln't turn down. I wouldn't more than a handful of students a year...this is not a jump out of management and become an instructor deal.

 

Haha! That is exactly what I did...snd somehow I got stuck babysitting for the FAA...err running airports

 

how did you guys get into managing airports?

 

need a management degree and check out AAAE | American Association of Airport Executives click on career center

 

latex,

Remember everyone of those planes you watch taking off might well be piloted by a guy/gal who posts on APC Forums from a hotel complaining about being away from home, the pay is lousy, the career progression slow, the company stinks, the union sold them out, on and on......

GF

 

true. I think I should still get the CFI so that students can keep me current and I can stay up on whats going on with flying and at least legitimize my commercial/instrument...and IF some sweet deal comes along then I can capitalize.

 

Good stuff, thanks!