I am currently working on my CFI/CFII (part 61) and was thinking about applying for a job at Embry-Riddle DAB after my checkrides since they are currently hiring. I did a search on my questions and found answers but nothing recent (2008 threads) so I was looking for the current situation over there.

Are they offering a bonus for signing a year contract like they were in 2008?
Will they hire you if you don't want to sign a year contract?
Are they currently hiring instructors who did their training elsewhere?
Current pay from their website is 17.22 for IPII, how many hours of pay can I expect per week?
Do instructors wear cheesy uniforms with epaulets? (never wanted to be that guy wearing epaulets getting out of a 172)

Thanks for the help!

I hope you will get the answers to your questions, but my first flight instructor went to ERAU and I asked him how it was to be a CFI there. He said they have exceptionally high standards and the interview process is very tough. He thinks it's a great place to work at. Good luck!

I worked there for 3 years as an undergrad in the late 90's. Loved every minute of it.

It's been a while but from what I was told and remember there aren't any signing bonuses as of now. The job doesn't require a year contract. There have been and still some incentives to sign a year contract, ie MEI, higher hourly pay, etc. But there is no requirement to sign it at hiring. There are a bunch of instructors who did not learn at Riddle. The difference is usually during the training before working. Usually the training lasts 1-2 weeks of ground labs, FTDs, and flights. Those that trained at Riddle generally pick it up easier than those that did not. On a good week 40 hours a week seemed normal. Some have been as low as 30 but others go even beyond 50 hours. The duty day is 8 hours of flight and FTD time and no more than 11 hours of paid work during a 12 hour period. The standard workweek is 6 days but the 6th day is optional. Epaulets and aviator shirts are the standard uniform. Some wear the optional polo but the cost of getting one is yours.

As far as coming in from the outside, the norm these days is to come in as a temp worker. The hours, pay, and student load is about the same as a full-time but there are no benefits. When after a while and after other full-timers leave, a temp will become a full-time. Also, training is unpaid until the last training flight is complete.

Thanks for the response guys.

IDIOTPILOT- Thanks! That was exactly what I wanted to know. I'm really surprised one could actually get in 40 hours of pay in a week, that will be a nice paycheck for a flight instructor. From everything I've been hearing it sounds like a great place to work. Thanks again for the info!

you don't get paid during this. And if you're not from around daytona, lodging is on your own as well.

When I went through the new-hire training in PRC in '08, we got paid during training....

If what interests you about employment at ERAU is that it's a Part 141 operation, try not to block out other options as well (unless you're really looking forward to working/living by the beach!). With the hiring trend shown by the airlines so far this year, many other flight schools are quickly losing instructors to the regional carriers. This means most places will be hiring at a good clip to make up for their attrition. Some schools will pay you a salary regardless of flight time, others will offer you sharp discounts on grad school, etc so keep an eye on those benefits also!

The DAB campus is supposed to be hiring about 60 instructors this summer. I just graduated from there and need a change of scenery, otherwise I would interview there.