TransPac/Aerosim/Falcon/AF CFI job reviews?

tcco94

tcco94

Future GTA VI Pilot
Okay so I have submitted my IACRA for my CFII checkride (my initial) and then doing my add on after. I'm trying to be a little prepared for after. I don't want to focus too much on it because I want to just focus on passing my checkride but I'm in between on what I should do. I have come here for some constructive advise on previous employment locations....

Here's my deal- I've got quite a bit of student loans. I'm currently at AF right now, had numerous CFI's tell me they pretty much don't even make $18k a year. I've got in contact with TransPac but then people keep pushing me away because they say how terrible my life will be. I'm not trying to go where the most money is, but I want to know the different reviews for some of these jobs. If TransPac isn't a bad place to work for $28k a year, I'd rather know now then end up instructing somewhere that literally everyone hates.

Anyone have any job experience at any of these places? (Yes, I've already heard about working A LOT at TransPac and not getting paid a very good hour wage for your salary).

So any insight on cost of living compared to how much you average monthly at some of these schools? I don't care about time building 100%, I just want to fit in the average poverty line with all my fellow other pilots and not drop off the cliff and be unrecoverable and looking outside of aviation
 
tcco94 said:
Okay so I have submitted my IACRA for my CFII checkride (my initial) and then doing my add on after. I'm trying to be a little prepared for after. I don't want to focus too much on it because I want to just focus on passing my checkride but I'm in between on what I should do. I have come here for some constructive advise on previous employment locations....

Here's my deal- I've got quite a bit of student loans. I'm currently at AF right now, had numerous CFI's tell me they pretty much don't even make $18k a year. I've got in contact with TransPac but then people keep pushing me away because they say how terrible my life will be. I'm not trying to go where the most money is, but I want to know the different reviews for some of these jobs. If TransPac isn't a bad place to work for $28k a year, I'd rather know now then end up instructing somewhere that literally everyone hates.

Anyone have any job experience at any of these places? (Yes, I've already heard about working A LOT at TransPac and not getting paid a very good hour wage for your salary).

So any insight on cost of living compared to how much you average monthly at some of these schools? I don't care about time building 100%, I just want to fit in the average poverty line with all my fellow other pilots and not drop off the cliff and be unrecoverable and looking outside of aviation
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I just put in an application for Aerosim, been there several times and they have an awesome gig their. I lived in orlando for a few years, while i was at UCF i paid around 1/1 apartment $740 and its much cheaper around the sanford area (Aerosim). CFI's there make some pretty good money from the few i spoke to, like any other school at first maybe slow but it picks up quickly.
 
Oskie305 said:
I just put in an application for Aerosim, been there several times and they have an awesome gig their. I lived in orlando for a few years, while i was at UCF i paid around 1/1 apartment $740 and its much cheaper around the sanford area (Aerosim). CFI's there make some pretty good money from the few i spoke to, like any other school at first maybe slow but it picks up quickly.
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I talked to one of their lead guys on the phone a few days ago just to get an idea for how long the application process was. He said it was a few days for call back, phone interview, then picking a standardization class. If CFIs there are happy then that's a plus. I just wasn't sure how much they got paid on average starting. Let me know how the process goes, I will be applying there as well once I pass my xride. Seems like a positive place.
 
I used to instruct at Aerosim. I hope things have improved since my time. We were liabilities first and instructors second.
 
There are a couple of places hiring in AZ right now. Transpac is one, but I don't have much about them, other than I really don't like that northwest practice area they use. CAE is in Mesa (just southeast of Phoenix). I spent almost 4 years there and it is probably one of the better gigs in the country as far as instructing goes, pay, benefits and QOL. I can put you in contact with some friends I still have working there now. I'm working for CAE part time now too, but on the CRJ simulator side so I'm not current on what's going in Mesa. Then there is CTC on the west side of the valley. I think they are starting between 35 and 60K depending on experience, but you may need 500 hours before you can work there as I believe they are mostly European students.
 
Thought about the college atmosphere again, but would like to avoid it and those winters. Had to deal with that in Montana and I really don't wanna sit on the ground and not make money during the winter. By the time I get a DPE in Dallas, I'll miss the standardization they do as well.

US aviation Academy has an awful reputation down here in Dallas. Anyone know anything else from them? I'm heard the numerous faulty maintenance and a quick way to lose your ticket. Just passing the info that I hear but Denton is just north of where I am staying.

CAE sounds sweet. I talked to someone on here in PM about it. Didn't know they had a min requirement to instruct? Lol. I'd rather not put down a lease and bounce around flight schools though. Is it worth sending an app as a new CFI or will I not be viewed?
 
I'd do TransPac. I like Phoenix - year-round flying weather, a constant supply of students, a salary you can live on, and lots of stuff to do on your weekends off. I spoke to a TransPac instructor a few days ago at the Pleasant Valley airport (getting his glider rating) and he was happy about his situation - he said he had four roommates, plenty of spending money and is getting LOTS of hours. He has a smile on his face despite it being 115 degrees in the shade - something must be going right for him ;-)
 
tcco94 said:
Thought about the college atmosphere again, but would like to avoid it and those winters. Had to deal with that in Montana and I really don't wanna sit on the ground and not make money during the winter. By the time I get a DPE in Dallas, I'll miss the standardization they do as well.

US aviation Academy has an awful reputation down here in Dallas. Anyone know anything else from them? I'm heard the numerous faulty maintenance and a quick way to lose your ticket. Just passing the info that I hear but Denton is just north of where I am staying.

CAE sounds sweet. I talked to someone on here in PM about it. Didn't know they had a min requirement to instruct? Lol. I'd rather not put down a lease and bounce around flight schools though. Is it worth sending an app as a new CFI or will I not be viewed?
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I think you misread. I think CTC requires experience, but I'm not sure. CAE has both European students, but they also have southeast Asian students getting FAA certificates, so they will hire fresh CFI's. They don't offer a bonus, but I'm pretty sure their pay scale is better than TransPac. Nice facilities, and most of the planes are relatively new.
 
Speaking from experience, why not get another career like RN and time build on your own. Still make way better money and no Asian students to deal with.
 
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tcco94 said:
CAE sounds sweet. I talked to someone on here in PM about it. Didn't know they had a min requirement to instruct? Lol. I'd rather not put down a lease and bounce around flight schools though. Is it worth sending an app as a new CFI or will I not be viewed?
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At CAE the FAA program will take CFIs with wet certificates and for a 6 month (I think, it seems to change all the time) contract will pay for your CFII. There's a contract for adding an MEI but not sure what it is as I had all mine when I started here. The EASA and MPL programs require dual given experience, though the MPL programs can substitute total time for dual given time to an extent. EASA and MPL instructors get paid more, but FAA side CFIs have the opportunity (when we have enough students) to fly more.
 
TransPac isn't that bad, You WILL fly a lot, The days are long and tough but if you want to get to 1500 like yesterday and move on, TP will do exactly that for you. I don't know how their bridge programs work and it's been 5 years since I left there but you can expect to do a ton of flying and move on fairly quick. Living in Phoenix is awesome and with a roommate or 2 you can live very comfortably even on a low salary.
 
So ILL said:
Speaking from experience, why not get another career like RN and time build on your own. Still make way better money and no Asian students to deal with.
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Another career? No thanks.

@skypilot6 @cessnajockey454 Thanks for the info on TransPac. Good to know people do enjoy it there. Clearly the comments I've been hearing were biased.

@n156499000 @rockman2343@aol.com thanks for that info on CAE. I understand now, I did misread. They are still hiring for Phoenix as well on their website, so I'll at least have to apply. It says able to sign a 2 year contract though? New CFIs have to commit that long?
 
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