Coming to ERAU and working on CFI

AaronPilot4life

AaronPilot4life

New Member
Greetings Everybody!

Just looking to gather some thoughts but I plan to come to ERAU (Daytona Beach) starting Summer Term A next May and starting on my CFI. Will ERAU hire students as a CFI even if they don't complete there private, instrument, commercial and multi through them? Just thought maybe if I did my instructor ratings through them I would have a chance of getting hired .. any thoughts? Thanks!

Aaron~

Fly Safe!
 
Not sure how it works in DAB, but in PRC as long as you complete their required transition courses and do the CFI through them, you can get a job with 'em.

Just keep in mind that the CFI training (without MEI) at ERAU is often more expensive than a full CFI/CFII/MEI elsewhere. Only take the flight instructor course at ERAU if you're dead-set on working there. Just something to chew on.
 
Also keep in mind that ERAU is going to a Part 142 training program. Basically, that means you'll be instructing in a sim most of the time instead of an airplane. While this will do wonders for your experience teaching, it will do next to nothing for building flight time. I think we're gonna see a serious drop in the number of ERAU CFIs as well as class numbers in thier CFI classes.
 
Thanks for the info .. so my question is with ERAU switching to a Part 142 program, what good does it do for the CFI's there if there not gonna build flight time? Seems kinda pointless in the eyes of a CFI except maybe like you guys said that you gain good teaching experience. I'm not too familiar with the structure of a 142 program so maybe I'm missing the point.
 
Nope...I don't think you're missing the point. I had a buddy that got hired on at Riddle a year before I got hired on at a local FBO. He got on with Mesa after 28 months of instructing with 1150 or so. I got the call to interview after 20 months of instructing with 1400 hours and we both started instructing at the same amount of TT. And that was PRE-142.

Oh well...guess all that slugging it out with an N model 172 was worth it.
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With the switch to a Part 142 training program at ERAU, I'm not sure anymore if Riddle is where I want to continue with my instructor ratings. I'm still pretty positive I will still attend ERAU but maybe try and find a CFI job at a local FBO. I plan to still major in AS but will definately have a minor as well just in the case the pilot thing doesn't work out. For the students at DAB campus, any thoughts on the possibilities of having a decent amount of students at a local FBO? I can imagine that there is probably alot of CFI's in that area. Any thoughts?

Fly Safe!

Aaron~
 
[ QUOTE ]
With the switch to a Part 142 training program at ERAU, I'm not sure anymore if Riddle is where I want to continue with my instructor ratings. I'm still pretty positive I will still attend ERAU but maybe try and find a CFI job at a local FBO. I plan to still major in AS but will definately have a minor as well just in the case the pilot thing doesn't work out. For the students at DAB campus, any thoughts on the possibilities of having a decent amount of students at a local FBO? I can imagine that there is probably alot of CFI's in that area. Any thoughts?

Fly Safe!

Aaron~

[/ QUOTE ]

There is always UND!
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Any thoughts of doing your CFI training somewhere other than Riddle? I work "Across the Street" from Riddle and we ONLY hire in house...period. But we fly on average 700 hours the first year we work, and closer to 850-900 a year after that.

You can thank Riddle for that
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Food for thought in Prescott we've got about 5 guys waiting in the wings to leave (including me...woo hoo!)
 
Yeah I think it may come down to me doing my CFI somewhere other then Riddle but well see how the Part 142 program is by next April when I get there at the DAB campus. Just curious how much instructing the CFI's are getting in the local FBO's around the Daytona Beach campus. Thanks for the info.

Fly Safe!

Aaron~
 
[ QUOTE ]
Food for thought in Prescott we've got about 5 guys waiting in the wings to leave (including me...woo hoo!)

[/ QUOTE ]

Veeeeeeeeddy interesting. North-Aire right? I'm headed over for my CFI/CFII/MEI shortly.
 
There are a lot of other FBOs in the DAB area. If you're majoring in Aero Sci, get your PPL/IR/COM from ERAU. I think you have to. If you start feeling the $$$ crunch, you can always switch to Aerospace Studies and finish at one of the FBOs. I'd recommend getting your CFI at the FBO you want to instruct at. Most FBOs are more likely to hire "in house" (as was stated before). My current instructor did ALL of his training at our FBO, and he know every little creak and trick for the individual aircraft.
 
Sounds like a plan but I'm already a Commercial Multi Instrument rated pilot so too late to get those at ERAU. I don't plan on coming to the DAB campus until next May so deciding on my options on where to do my CFI. Thanks for the info though.

Aaron~
 
Distance Learning is your FRIEND. You can get credit for you flight time already obtained (since you've already got the Multi-Comm), and just do the classes on-line. Government loans still work (not sure on VA benefits, though), and it's cheaper than the residential campuses. You can even (gasp) work a real job at the same time. Or, get your CFI, work as a CFI, and get the degree at the same time. I think that's what ESF is doing right now. After all is said and done, the degree still says ERAU on it whether you got it at Daytona, Prescott, Distance Learning or an Extended Campus.
 
Ah Yes! Sounds like that is some good ideas. Even taking classes online with ERAU, wouldn't the prices be the same? The ATP does have some good programs offered so that might be an option. In all honestly, if I don't do my CFI through ERAU I will do it with a local FBO because of the potential of getting hired in house within the flight school. Thanks for the thoughts guys!

Fly Safe!

Aaron~
 
Price for online classes is about $500/class plus books. Price at DAB if you take a full time class load is upwards of $10,000 plus books plus living expenses. You could take the same load of around 12 classes (I think that's the minimum now) for $2000 through Distance Learning. My car blowing up was probably the best thing to happen to me financially.
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I instruct part time at an FBO in Daytona. Some months I'm slammed, others are very slow. Last month I think I flew about 90 hours, but I'm off to a slow start this month. Almost all of my students go to Riddle and they've headed home for the summer.

I have friends that instruct at Riddle. They're changing the program and while it does mean less flight time in general, it means getting to the multi side much faster. Multi dual given is VERY hard to come by in these parts.

Keep in mind this is a very competitive market for CFI's. Where I work only hires in house right now, and out of the 12 people in my CFI course, only 2 were offered employment upon completion of the course. Even recently things have gotten busier and we've lost 5-6 guys to the airlines, but we're still not hiring instructors.

I'm not saying this to discourage you. Anyone can get a job in a competitive market. Find a couple of places and get checked out in some of their aircraft. Find one you really like and hang to get to know some people. Then once you've started your CFI people will know who you are. Express interest in working there from day one. If you do an excellent job with your training there's a much greater shot at landing a job.
 
Riddle does have a top notch program yet the expense is monumental. If you plan on instructing at riddle (DAB) they are hiring instructors but are picking from graduates of their own CFI progam. If you consider pursuing a master's degree, you can do that FREE while working as a flight instructor for the university, one major benefit. Good Luck.
 
From what I've heard, Riddle is hiring out of house (but very picky) as well. You're right about the price, I believe somewhere around the 6 grand figure for just the CFI.
 
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