� Q: I’m a 17-year active-duty military officer but not in a flying billet or rating. I am seriously thinking about becoming a CFI as my post-military career (I’m looking to retire from the service around the 20- to 22-year mark). Assuming I get my CFI certificate, how attractive would I be to a potential flight school as a career CFI? I know most CFIs are looking to jump to regionals/major carriers, so there is a fairly high turnover rate and a ready pool of potential young CFIs waiting in the wings. Are there advantages that I can use to sell myself to a flight school to be hired on as a career CFI?—Jay
� A: Jay, first of all, thanks for your service. If your military retirement can provide you with a good income base, you should be able to transition nicely to flight instructing. I only say this because those entry-level flight instructor positions typically do not pay enough to support a condo in the Keys or a Lexus in the garage, but that really depends on the kind of flight instructing you end up doing.
The industry welcomes airmen who are dedicated instructors: those who have flight training as a primary goal. However, locking that first job may be a bit of a challenge since, as you have indicated, you might be competing for fewer CFI positions initially.
It wasn’t too long ago that young CFIs logged 250 to 300 hours of flight time and off they went to the regional airlines. Now, with the new ATP rule in place (see "Price of Admission," p. 55), those CFIs may be staying at their alma mater much longer to earn the time required to qualify for the ATP.
The distinct advantage that you have is maturity, and with that comes a certain level of respect. Thus, no matter where you end up instructing, your depth of life experience is a definite bonus.
You could be quite content affiliating with a Part 61 flight school part time, where you may work with a few students whose goals are business or pleasure flying. You will probably wait for extended periods of time until that customer walks through the door.
However, if you really want to make instructing a career and fly every day, then here are a couple of ideas. It may be a truly rewarding path to hook up with an aviation university, college, or academy. Working with young flying talent is a definite energy boost, particularly in an academic setting. Looking online, Aviator College in Fort Pierce, Florida, is advertising for CFIs, as are the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg and St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Salaries are $3,000 to $4,000 monthly.
At the far end of the spectrum is instructing for an airline or one of the highly regarded business aviation training centers such as FlightSafety or CAE SimuFlite. At this time, PSA Airlines is looking for instructors and FlightSafety is recruiting CFIs for its Vero Beach, Florida, location.
Once you get more time and ratings, you could consider teaching independently. I have known many CFIs who work with individual clients and charge $75 to $100 per hour.
Why not attend one of the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics (FIRCs)? The networking opportunities are impressive. Go online (www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Flight-Instructor-Resources/CFI-Renewal) for listings.
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