Instructing in College

[sfgiants13]

I'm a soph. going to school for a non aviation related degree. I have my instrument and am halfway toward the hours for commercial. The biggest thing I'm up against right now is cost because I still need to get multi rated, commercial, and CFI before I can start. Does anyone else here have experience instructing while going to school fulltime and what that is like? I'm giving thought to just trying to get my CFI and MEI by time i graduate so I can instruct full time to build my hours before getting a job right as I graduate if I can't afford to do it all now.

 

[tlewis95]

I am interested in the answer as well.

I am a freshman at SIU currently in thier CFI course, and hope to be doing some part-time work while going to school full-time. Possibly doing it full time over the summer as well.

 

[bdhill1979]

you do not need multi anything to instruct, just get a commercial single and CFI and you can start working. Save your money and get that later, its not like you are in a hurry to get hired right now.

What I did was trained for the Commercial Certificate in the right seat, which is basically the same checkride as the Commercial. I did the Commercial and CFI 10 days apart (had it not been for MX and Wx issues it would have been the very next day). Saved me a bundle of cash and I got working right away. I got the CFII a few months later.

 

[ScoutFlyer]

I started instructing at my school during the Spring semester of my Junior year. I only worked with one primary student who flew three or four times a week. I was also flying two to three times a week working on my CFII. I was sure busy with class and instructing. I had two or three instrument students both semesters of my Senior year, but by then I wasn't working on my own flight training and I had relatively lower class loads.

It is definately possible as long as you manage your time wisely and maintain good schedule discipline. Always leave yourself enough time to get to and from the airport between class and flights.

 

[JustinA]

Like said above, get your commercial and CFI. Get a job instructing then worry about the Multi.

 

[ppragman]

I'm a soph. going to school for a non aviation related degree. I have my instrument and am halfway toward the hours for commercial. The biggest thing I'm up against right now is cost because I still need to get multi rated, commercial, and CFI before I can start. Does anyone else here have experience instructing while going to school fulltime and what that is like? I'm giving thought to just trying to get my CFI and MEI by time i graduate so I can instruct full time to build my hours before getting a job right as I graduate if I can't afford to do it all now.

I am interested in the answer as well.

I am a freshman at SIU currently in thier CFI course, and hope to be doing some part-time work while going to school full-time. Possibly doing it full time over the summer as well.

I fly 135 right now and go to college full time. If I can tell you anything, it ain't easy. I fly 4 days a week and go to school 3 days a week. Its tougher than hell, but in the end it will pay off. One thing to note, your social life will suffer or your grades. You choose. That being said, its the right way to go. The more quality time you can build, the better off you'll be when you get done with school, and the more money you'll make. In this economy, being able to go straight from college into a decent paying 135 gig would definitely be an asset. If you can find the right gig, you could do grad school (if you wanted) when you finished too.

I flew about 900hrs last school year, and it was fairly rough. I'm set to do about 750-850 this year, and its not as bad, but it still isn't easy. If you play your cards right you'll graduate school with a degree, and actual marketability. All I have is my C-Amel/Asel IR, so I don't know how it'd be to CFI. That being said, flying tends to have a fair amount of down time which can allow time for you to do homework at work provided management is cool with it. Good luck, pm me if you have any questions.

-Pat

 

[jskibo]

I am interested in the answer as well.

I am a freshman at SIU currently in thier CFI course, and hope to be doing some part-time work while going to school full-time. Possibly doing it full time over the summer as well.

Hmmm, another Saluki

 

[nyalex]

I did it my junior and senior years and just recently graduated college and am instructing full time at the same school. Here are my thoughts:

If you are struggling with school now or are having difficulty pulling the grades you want, instructing will probably make that worse. You could, however, be the type of person that works well with stess; when you are busy you don't put things off and get it done right away. If I don't have much to do I actually get a little bit lazy, so instructing and going to school wasn't a bad thing. But it gets very busy and stressful at times. How close to campus is the airport? If it's far and your work and class schedule don't mesh very nicely, you could be driving back and forth between campus and class multiple times per day. If your flight school gets more students will they hire more instructors or just pile onto the current ones? While I was in school I had 5 students at one point, 4 most other times. 2-3 is very doable and wouldn't be a problem for most. I was ready to pull my hair out when I had 5 and was trying to write papers and study for tests.

In summary, if your school is used to having student CFI's and work with you, it shouldn't be a problem as long as you manage your time well. But when it becomes test time you don't have the luxury of not teaching for a few days. In my opinion, if you taught and went to school while pulling decent grades it is a good indication that you have it together. Not bad to add to a resume. Good luck.

 

[sfgiants13]

you do not need multi anything to instruct, just get a commercial single and CFI and you can start working. Save your money and get that later, its not like you are in a hurry to get hired right now.

What I did was trained for the Commercial Certificate in the right seat, which is basically the same checkride as the Commercial. I did the Commercial and CFI 10 days apart (had it not been for MX and Wx issues it would have been the very next day). Saved me a bundle of cash and I got working right away. I got the CFII a few months later.

The flight school I'm at uses a multi engine plane as their complex and doesn't have a single engine complex afaik.

edit: and for clarification I go to the University of Washington and my flight training is done away from school as the school doesn't have its own aviation program

 

[mhcasey]

I instructed my senior year and it was one of the smartest things I've ever done. I worked freelance, so I didn't get a million hours, but had as much flexibility in my work schedule as I wanted. While you're getting your certificates (hold off on multi until you have money!), bust your ass in school to get ahead so you can take an easy load while you instruct. For me it was almost like taking school part time and getting paid to do what I love (fly) part time. I wouldn't miss any home games or the other great things college has to offer to make it happen though.

To get your time, do whatever legal/ethical activities you can to build time. I washed a ton of airplanes and worked for free at a flight school so I could fly their airplanes just for gas. I'd catch random rides here and there by hanging around the airport. This also built up my potential clientele for when I went freelance as an instructor.

 

[Inverted25]

Depends on the person. I work full time running a warehouse, taking 16 credit hours towards my MBA, and I fly about 10-15 hours a week. You can do it, just depends on the person.

 

[PilotBeckfizzle]

I've been instructing for the past two years while in school (I'm in my last semester). I've taken 18 credit hours every semester for the past couple years and taking 24 this semester. On top of this I fly about 50 hours a month. I tell you one thing dude, its all about time management. It's probably one of the best jobs to have in school; I'm a private contractor with a local flight school which allows me to make my own schedule. This is the only way I could instruct and take the course load I do. I highly suggest instructing while going to school!

 

[CK]

It pays better and requires less time than any other (legal) college job I can think of.

Alex.

 

[jskibo]

It pays better and requires less time than any other (legal) college job I can think of.

Alex.

Local Strippers at school made pretty good money......

 

[SFCC/UND]

I instructed and did full time at the same time. Drove me crazy since I was at the flight school almost 12 hours a day. One more day and I don't have to worry anymore.

 

[bdhill1979]

The flight school I'm at uses a multi engine plane as their complex and doesn't have a single engine complex afaik.

edit: and for clarification I go to the University of Washington and my flight training is done away from school as the school doesn't have its own aviation program

I would consider going elsewhere just based on cost, not to say its not a good school, but the way things are right now that multi engine time will be of little to no value for some time to come.

 

[MOONWOLF]

You can do both, but you won't have anytime to drink any beers. :beer:

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

I instructed my junior and senior year in college as well as flew small time corporate (pipers and king airs)... was able to graduate with around 1400 hours. I typically would work 7 days a week.

My grades actually improved! I suppose it gave me some added motivation, structure, and purpose.

FWIW, I got my CFI, CFII, and MEI.

The MEI opened up the door to right seat in the king air earlier, as it was a more robust resume. It's always best to have as many ratings as possible- as that will open up the most doors.

 

[jrh]

I instructed from the middle of my sophomore year up through the end of college. Part time during the school year and full time during the summers.

As many others have said, it takes a lot of effort but it's worth it. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't change a thing. I had about 1300 or 1400 hours total time when I graduated I think. I'd fly 20-40 hours/month during the school year, then about 90-120 hours/month in the summers.

Flexible schedule, cool people, and the pay beats working at Taco Bell (barely). I'd say you have a good plan.

 

[Low&Slow]

Depends on the person. I work full time running a warehouse, taking 16 credit hours towards my MBA, and I fly about 10-15 hours a week. You can do it, just depends on the person.

Wow. That's not too bad if you are single, but if you aren't, how do you find time for your wife and kids? That kind of schedule is not conducive to family life at all.