Claytonh4

I'm currently working on my PPL as a freshman in college and hope to get instrument rated this summer if possible. I was wondering if a little while down the road when I get my CFI if it's possible to train flight students while still being at school full time. Is that just up to the flight school I'd work for whether or not they'd hire part time or is that really just not feasible with how flexible your schedule has to be as a CFI?
Thanks!

FLY6584

Focus on finishing your PPL and getting your instrument rating. Then focus on building some time and knocking out your commercial. While you are doing this try to learn as much as you possibly can about everything from flying the plane to the book knowledge to the FAR's. Make getting your CFI more about learning to instruct a student and less about trying to learn all that stuff you should have learned during your PPL, Instrument, and Commercial training. Try to not to get in the box checking mentality and rather learn it because you want to learn it.

But to answer your question having a CFI job and going to college full time sounds like it would be a piece of cake to me. I fly full time in the Air Force, but CFI on the side to keep my foot in the door with civilian aviation, build hours, and enjoy teaching guys like you to slow down and focus on learning everything you possibly can while you can.

marcal

Yes it absolutely can be done. I did it however it was as a CFI for the same college as where I got my ratings. They made it work schedule wise. Glad I did it.

CloudShredder

Yes, it's very possible if it's the same place you got your training. I was an instructor at my school part time during my entire senior year of college as a full time student. It was a huge boost to my career, because I'm still instructing here full time since I've graduated, and I'm now teaching in our twin engine aircraft. I also graduated with a decent amount of flight time because of it.

JamesNoBrakes

I did it as a full-time Master's student. It was no joke at times and some of those Master's professors took their classes very seriously. Scheduling became very critical for me and I worked a lot on weekends to make up for the loss of income created by taking classes, as well as carrying as many students as I could while still being able to get them a fair number of flights/week. It was easier during the summer, so you might be able to shift your class load a little in that favor. I managed it all, but I was pushing to the max. I was surrounded by other hardworking like-minded students in Master's courses, so that helped immensely I think, as we worked together to help each other.

Zlin

I would ask the flight school you are at that question. I went to school at Oklahoma State. We lots of part time inst. Also where I taught after college we are all contractors so you could work any schedule you wanted.

USMCFLYR

Are you a 'Flying Aggie'?

BeechedJet

I was a part timer at my university while finishing up my bachelors. After I left I knew of friends that not only part timed while being a full time student, but also instructed on the side at a local FBO.

Claytonh4

Thanks for all the responses, everyone! Yeah unfortunately the flight school down here isn't technically affiliated with the university so I don't have that going for me, but it's good to know that it can and is being done. I'll look forward to maybe trying that a couple years down the road.

Claytonh4

I'M not, although I have heard of that club and may see about looking into them! I'm actually doing my training in my hometown when I come home on weekends etc. because I know the flight school owner and pilots so I have yet to fly in College Station. It's neat that you are familiar with them!