PropDriver~

What is the weather like in Pheonix area(comparing to California)? Everyone said there has year round flying weather, is that true?

And what about living cost?
Right now, i live in San antonio,TX, the cost of living is pretty cheap (i rent an apartment at $600/month, including internet, electricity, water; and spend about $600 on food, gas..etc)

Do you think $1,500(which is my estimated take-home-money) enough to cover the general expense in Phoenix?

Do you still CFI at the school across street??

I've never been to California for an extended period of time, but I would say I cancelled less than 10 days in the year I worked there. The weather in Phoenix is clear, calm, and warm 95% of the time. The summer is tough since it's so hot and you'll be done flying by noon.

I would plan on paying a bit more in Phoenix for rent and utilites than you do now. $1500 will cover your expenses as long as you don't have an expensive car payment, big bar bills, or any other big vices.

I quit working there in May when I got hired on at an airline.

Hey Moonwolf,
I'm debating about interviewing with Sierra; it would mean relocating from out-of-state for me, so I'm just wondering, is the company a pretty good one to work for in your opinion?

The only thing that really concerns me from what I've heard so far is that they changed their payscale recently??? I was told I'd be paid only once I got my students to a certain number of hours; I'm wondering how easy it is to actually get my students to the point of a paycheck (as far as mx, check ride scheduling, etc). What's your take on it?

Thanks for any input you can give.

Out of all the companies mentioned in this thread, Sierra is the only one I know of that is doing some sort of hiring.

hillsboro aviation near portland oregon does lots of chinese students. they come in in big bunches. you work there expect lots of work. lots of hours to logg and build up time. i would suggest there

hi, yzusimon, it's glad to hear that you're a Taiwanese. Me too. Although I am not even a CPL now. I am looking for a training school and having a lot of questions. I am getting confuse! I don't know which school will be better but I have the same goal with you. Since there are many Chinese students, that will be a good choice staying in US be a instructor, isn't it? Can you recommend me some school? Or some other person can? Please~ I have been considered several school in US even in Australia but still can't decide yet. Thank you all.

Wright Flyers in San Antonio Texas (KSAT) has a long term contract with China Air. They currently have about 30- 35 chinese students there. All have difficulty with english and in fact more than 50 fail their initial PPL checkride because of the language problems. They (from what I understand) have hired a ESL teacher to assist with the problem.

www.wrightflyers.com


I rent aircraft from them and often talk to the CFI's about the program. They also have Mexican nationals there in addition to the walk off the street students needing BFR's, Inst training or initial training. They stay busy. I beleive they are paying about 18per hour to CFI's. The cost of living in SAT is low so for a single guy this might work. I think the average CFi is getting about 100-140 hrs per month (mix of sim and flight)

Hey, to answer some questions, Sierra is a decent place to work for. I say decent lightly. It has its fair share of problems too. The pay is not that close to whatever they advertise for new hires. I was told I could make 3500-4500/mo, I make no where near that, and I work my a@@ off. Last month I think I took home 2200. But on the flip side, Sierra provides cheap living ($175/mo)

You get paid based on the progress of your student, when they pass a stage check or check ride you get a certain amount of $$$. If your student is smart and has good study habits, then your lucky. If your stuck with a student that isn't motivated then your screwed, because he/she will progress slowly, thus you get less $$.

The city of atwater, is probably the most depressing place I've ever lived, no nightlife, it smells terrible, and a small town feel. But yet I'm still here, and been here for 6 months, along with about 70 other instructors.

I could go on for days about other issues, just let me know if you have any other questions. email or pm.
good luck

YZU,

I work at Transpac (formerly Pan Am) in Phoenix if you're still interested. Maybe I can answer some of your questions.

U of North Dakota also does handle Air China students, I believe we just got a new class. However, I think you might need a CFI and I've heard there's a hiring freeze till August of this year.