I just turned down flight safety in large part because they made it clear that I would not be permitted to do any commercial flying at all. It might be different from center to center, but at least in my recent interview in Wichita it was clearly laid out that contract flying is not allowed.

 

You said a mouthful there. We were lucky on the X at CMH that most of the guys had flown it.

 

I know and you are correct. Its the reality of the world we live in....

 

Having a few conversations with current and past FSI/CAE instructors, this seems to be the norm for FULL-TIME instructors. Part-time and contract instructors are permitted to fly contract work on the side as they can set their schedule of availability.

Odds are coming from the regionals you would expect pay slightly less than CA salary around $60k at FSI into a light/mid size jet (CE-560/HS-125/LR-series) for a contracted duration if they type you. This may or may not be more attractive than your regional.

 

If you want to be an adult educator and facilitator, helping clients become better crew members and attain their goals (currency, type ratings, etc.), then consider a career at Flight Safety.

The benefits are good pay, good benefits, and reasonable job security along with being home every night. Also, meeting others in the aviation community is a great benefit....

However, if you want to do it for the simple reason of obtaining a type rating, impressing others with your "there I was" stories, or believing it would be a simple job because you have 10,000 hours and 6 type ratings already, you will be quickly disappointed and realize quickly you should have stayed as a line pilot.

Its really that simple.

Working at Flight Safety is like being a CFI, only the company pays you a living wage, treats you with respect, and provides great benefits. Additionally the facilities are clean, the simulators air conditioned, the clients generally professional, and you don't sweat it out in a cramped 152...

The grass is always greener....

 

Most younger guys I've met who were in training eventually wanted to get back to flying.
You can exclude airline instructors from that because they can go back to the line pretty easy---often at a higher seniority than they started instructing at (so its a pretty good deal---less reserve or whatever and a good schedule/$).
Corporate instructing a different ball of wax. They are limited on time in type and often can't break away for a trip like a contracter can for example. Makes it a little tougher.

 

I was impressed with the people at flight safety, and I did loose a lot of sleep over the decision not to take the job. At 32 I feel that I am not ready to give up flying completely. I worked too hard to get here, and in spite of all the pessimism about the airline industry, I think there is still potential. On paper it looked great, but figure in that I would have to sell my house, move, rip my kids out of school, give up the flight benefits, and not fly at all, and I am not ready to do that. Even at 2nd year regional pay the difference is not enough to make up for all of those things. I was surprised to find that my wife didn't even want me to do it. She doesn't want me to give it up. So, I decided not to go steal a type rating, and just stay with what I have for now.

 

I left one of the fractionals voluntarily 6 years ago (flying a Challenger 604). The FSI position represented a 40% increase in pay. Fortunately the center was based in my fractional base so no physical move required. Of course, I'm a glutton for punishment in the sense that I spent 4,000 hours as a primary flight instructor back in the 90's- yes, you read that right. I also have a background in behavioral psychology and did a stint as a middle school teacher so the job fits.

Pay increases at a rate on average 2.5-5% per year. I'll be 42 in May and absolutely miss flying (freight and regional background as well) but it's a trade-off. Have been treated well at FSI and great people and clients. Great tuition assistance (75%) so you can finish a Masters/Ph.D at the same time - and that's been working well. I have received inquiries from clients about coming on with their department but when it got to the final interview the shootdown was - recency of actual operating experience. Who knows if that was accurate, but's that what a follow up call to those that recommended me revealed.

 

I left a regional in 2007 to work at FlightSafety (one word folks). Became an instructor, check airman and eventually a Manager. My decision to leave the regionals was for QOL, home every night and decent pay. I received job offers all the time, but never jumped due to my satisfaction with FSI. 5 years later, as the kids got a little older, an opportunity came up flying a large cabin aircraft for an operator based in the geographic area both my wife and I were from. The pay was good and the pilots/management were great guys, knowing them firsthand from training at FSI. I took the leap after 5 years at FSI.

I worked at 2 different FlightSafety Centers over the past 10 years, and I can say that the company is steadily evolving away from Al Ueltschis vision. It has become more of a money making, don't give a crap about the employee type operation. Pay raises are minimal, expect 2-4% per year and the ability to move up the corporate ladder is near impossible. The center I worked at had great Center Management, but other Centers I went to, not so much. It depends on where you go.

Good luck to anyone taking the leap to FSI, it certainly can be a shoe that fits for some, for others, not so much.

 

I've got my second interview with FlightSafety next week, So I'm assuming there going to offer me a job. What can I expect for starting pay?? I'm a former military guy with all the CFI ratings (MEL/SEL/Helo). Like many people have stated FSI is a great way to make connects, so I'm seriously considering taking the position, unless they want me to be a Helo IP, not gonna happen. Nothing in the world could make me instruct in Helo's again...