CFI Shortage....

Mall property managers are scrambling for anything. I think in some markets, you could get 3 months free rent just to try something. Rent some office furniture, and see if Red Bird will loan a sim for a few months.

You may be able to start the concept without much out-of-pocket.
Well, I had no idea about that! I always assumed mall spots were high rent.
 
Well, I had no idea about that! I always assumed mall spots were high rent.

Mall retail is dying, thanks to Amazon. There hasn't been a new mall built in the US since 1996. If you have an innovative retail concept and it's not the holidays, I'll bet money you could find a place to try it.
 
Hey Guys,

Doing some independent research.

What's the CFI availability at your school/shop? Please mention if it's a career track/non or 61/141 if you can.

Anecdotal stories are OK. This isn't scientific or anything.

Richman
I'm actively working on my CFI, but I've already been offered a job, pending my passing the practical test, by three different schools, one of them even offered to "sweeten the pot" by offering free aerobatics until I'm competent enough to teach that too (it's a flight school that is also heavy into aerobatics, spin endorsements, upset/recovery, etc).
One of the schools is 61/141, the other two are strictly 61.
 
The part 61 schooli used to work at just started offering referral bonuses. $250 for the referral and additional $250 for each 500 hours dual given at the school.
 
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Where do you teach?
TransPac. I'm not there anymore but when I left that was still being offered and I know they were talking about increasing CFI salary. Seemed like it was a slow process to get it done though.
 
TransPac. I'm not there anymore but when I left that was still being offered and I know they were talking about increasing CFI salary. Seemed like it was a slow process to get it done though.
Just curious, any thoughts on TransPac? Im working on my CFI right now and am possibly in the market for an instructing job
 
Just curious, any thoughts on TransPac? Im working on my CFI right now and am possibly in the market for an instructing job
I've got lots of thoughts on them. Depends on the person really....

TransPac did exactly what I wanted. I went their to get a steady wage for my loans/bills as a single guy. You don't make a lot of money and you work A LOT so it sucks, but they do get you hours. 11 1/2 months I got 920 dual given hours and I was out. If you want a enjoyable CFI experience and not in a rush to move on, I don't think it's a great place to go. If you want hours as soon as possible and don't care about anything else...it's a good place to go.

You'll work 50 hrs a week and in the beginning you teach private which is only 50-60/month....but once you get to instrument you get 100-120+/month. If you have your MEI, your hours will drop pretty significantly because it's LOTS of sims. I didn't get mine and just stayed in instrument until I was done. Any other specific questions shoot them my way!
 
I've got lots of thoughts on them. Depends on the person really....

TransPac did exactly what I wanted. I went their to get a steady wage for my loans/bills as a single guy. You don't make a lot of money and you work A LOT so it sucks, but they do get you hours. 11 1/2 months I got 920 dual given hours and I was out. If you want a enjoyable CFI experience and not in a rush to move on, I don't think it's a great place to go. If you want hours as soon as possible and don't care about anything else...it's a good place to go.

You'll work 50 hrs a week and in the beginning you teach private which is only 50-60/month....but once you get to instrument you get 100-120+/month. If you have your MEI, your hours will drop pretty significantly because it's LOTS of sims. I didn't get mine and just stayed in instrument until I was done. Any other specific questions shoot them my way!

How much did you get paid with 110 h/month ? Did you get the signup bonus ? What kind of students did you get ?

Did you live on campus ?
 
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How much did you get paid with 110 h/month ? Did you get the signup bonus ? What kind of students did you get ?

Did you live on campus ?
All Chinese. Salary at $28k so doesn't matter how much you fly. Only extra pay you can get is working a 6th day. Adds $80 to a paycheck ($160 w/ two days) after taxes. After a 5 day week though it's really not worth your sanity to work that day. Most don't and most barely get through a 5 day week with Chinese students. I got the bonus so my taxes this year will probably be around $35k after it's all said and done. I had some extra days and etc. That bonus gets a nice slice in half though from the government.

You can live in the apartments the students are at for a month for free. I got my own apartment. That complex was out of my price range.
 
What about housing ?
I edited to add late. They will house you for the 2 week training. After that you're on your own. Some guys stay at the apartment complex but I think rent was a bit steep there. You can find a decent complex in the Phoenix area for $6-800/month. (For a one bedroom)
 
CFI shortage but still not desperate enough to sponsor international cfi for work.. :(

I know a helicopter owner who does this. He then pays the CFI minimum wage.

That said, most flight school owners are not sophisticated enough to work through the visa process.
 
You want to be hooked up with the same flight school for 5 years on an H1B visa ? Most people don't realize that the H1B is employer-specific, and that changing it to another employer is quite the hassle...
 
As long as I get my hours. The problem with the conversion process in Malaysia right now is if you have below 1500 hours, the department of civil aviation will want you to sit through all the EASA ground classes and papers plus some flights in a multi as they'll convert the license to a frozen atpl. But converting with 1500 and above they'll straight away consider to convert the license to ATPL; after taking the atpl test of course.
 
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