Do you think you are a better pilot now than you were 300 hours ago? It's not about making one a better FO, it's about being a better rounded pilot who's seen and done a variety of flying and gotten the crap scared out of him remembering never to let that situation happen again. I think being a CFI and having a single pilot IFR background is a great combo for a future airline FO. You've proven yourself as an instructor and aviator by not killing yourself or allowing someone else to.

 

A Stan Eval pilot I flew with once, she told me she felt those years of being an instructor pilot and Stan Evil pilot was her way of giving back; a way of securing a safe future for Herk pilots by doing her part. She loved to fly and looked forward to any chance to pass on what she knew because she was aware of the benefits of doing so...esp those that weren't readily visible to her at that moment in time.

I haven't reached PPL yet, but I know from working on airplanes all these years is that you are training your replacements. It's hard not to see yourself in those who are coming up behind you, the same way you did.

I would think teaching others in something you have a passion for would be very fulfilling, in addition to those other intangible benefits you can't see (better pilot in the long run, can teach as well as be taught, an authority in your chosen field).

That's what I would get out of it. That's probably what I will get out of it, more than likely.

HerkFCC

 

You want flight sims?

This is where I'm headed when I get back to Europe (stationed in Germany) after this stretch here in the desert at OTBH, check it:

www.virtualaviation.co.uk.

 

Experience whether it comes from CFI'ing, 121, 135 or MIL all has pluses and minuses. The key is that it IS experience in varying situations in different whether etc. They are all different, valid ways of gaining whats necessary to train for these jobs. Nothing but a wet commercial ticket.... I am not so on board with that.

 

Love your Avatar. Ever been to tallil?

 

Herk,

Enjoy your sim session! Those who want to do something similar stateside may already have heard of Wayne Phillips' excellent ATOP program.
www.b737.com

 

i'm agreeing with what everyone else said on here.

One of the greatest things is to enjoy ones work, and if you enjoy teaching and you enjoy flying, the CFI is a terrific job. One of the things i enjoyed most about being a CFI was that my students would inherit my own flying traits, both the good, and the bad...honestly, i enjoyed seeing both in them, but would routinely try to correct the things they picked up from me, that i'd rather them not have.

Another point was made by my sim instructor during my initial training. An airline didn't hire a First Officer....they hired a Captain (atleast that is their hope for you) in training. With experience, they're expecting you to be able to perform the duties of the PIC. The reason an ATP can use his captain experience in renewing his CFI certificates is because the FAA actually expects you to be instructing/mentoring first officers into captains. If you've never instructed a person before, this little "phase" of the job might be a little bit difficult for you to accomplish.

Another big issue is the decision making...it doesn't matter if you're a CFI or a MIL pilot, or a freight dog, etc....this will aid significantly with your ability to make a sound and rational decision as to the best solution to the current situation considering a multitude of variables. Some of this will be learned simply by flying the line at XYZ airlines. But for a person who comes to the table already having a solid foundation in this decision making process, they'll be just that much further ahead of the competition.

 

CFIing is a great job. Unfortunantly, it doesnt pay the bills. I work at a military flying club and I have one dedicated student. I have a few others that fly every now abd then. SO basicallly I make no money here. Thats why I cant do this full time.

And as far as decision making skills go, I have been using the MDMP(military decision making process) for years. Iwas a Platoon Leader inBosnia and an Executive Officer in Iraq. I have made plenty of decisions in critical situations. So I hope I bring tha to the table.
I just ned to learn this jet stuff. I am thinking about taking a jet transition course to get up to speed on things. I am a hands on person. Ilearn better in a classroom setting as opposed to studying on my own.

Thought. comments anyone?

 

I think it would be a waste of money. You're not flying a jet yet, so, who cares if you know jet aircraft systems. Learn it when you get a job flying a jet. That's why you have over a month of ground school for an airline, much of which is learning about systems.

Why don't you become a full time CFI at a pretty major school. I see ads that have full time CFI's making 30-40K per year. You will be flying alot and learning even more.

And also, just because of some military decision making process, does not mean that you can make decisions in the air. That will only come with experience.

 

Purchase "The Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual" and you'll save a few thousand dollars while still learning what you need for ground school. Jet transition courses are more about teaching you to pass a sim ride. Systems aren't going to be as much a focus.

Trust me my friend, none of us can really "afford it" unless their mommy and daddy are wealthy. As an FO, I can say that this is the first time in years that I haven't had at least two jobs. Even still, most of my friends have them and I still pick up some side work from time to time for a little spending cash.