Low time looking for help

BrewMaster said:
This is a pretty sore subject for a lot of people. Being a CFI isn't about time building. Being a CFI is about learning, seeing things in a different way than you ever have before. You learn so much by being a CFI. The experience is second to none.

It's not so much that you are less than capable, but more that being a CFI really doesn't have any disadvantages. There is so much to learn and gain that being a CFI really only has advantages. I can't think of a disadvantage of being a CFI(other than living in a cardboard box).

How do you know you aren't cut out for it?
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I think this kind of goes with teaching in general.

The best way to learn something well is to try and teach it. You have to have every angle learned because you will have that person who will keep asking why and you will need an answer.

Teaching to my fellow classmates in college (tutoring) easily helped me master the subjects I was involved in.

I don't see why this wouldn't be the same in aviation. It's a fantastic experience I can't wait to tap into
 
Additionaly I've had the pleasure of sharing the flight station with pilots who were both cfi and non cfi. Let me say had I not.asked I wouldn't be able to tell who.was a.cfi.and.who wasn't. There was no difference in their flying ability.
 
pjk674 said:
Additionaly I've had the pleasure of sharing the flight station with pilots who were both cfi and non cfi. Let me say had I not.asked I wouldn't be able to tell who.was a.cfi.and.who wasn't. There was no difference in their flying ability.
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It's a very vague statement to say there was no difference in their flying ability. What scale are you measuring on, what kind of flying were you doing?

In the grand scheme of things, flying a single engine plane vfr doesn't require much knowledge or skill. You probably aren't going going to be able to tell. Even flying IFR you probably aren't going to notice much. Were you able to tap into their brain processes? Did you discuss what they were thinking or things they noticed? What would have happened in an emergency? To say you didn't notice a difference is probably correct on a "normal" emergency free flight. It's the intangibles that you gain from being a CFI. My wife can hold the plane level without much effort.......
 
BrewMaster said:
I think you mean the part 61 way.....

I would say your best chance at getting paid to fly would be to get your CFI. Maybe find a jump gig....

Having 600 hours and never really "getting paid" to get those hours might seem a little weird to some people, i.e. padding your logbook. 600 hours is a lot to have never been paid. I know you are looking for a low time gig, but a lot of low time gigs prefer you to have your CFI. You will probably get asked why you don't have it or haven't wanted to. I would say the vast majority of people with 600 hours will have their CFI.

Good Luck!
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Yes, I meant 61.. sry.
Its been close to 5 yrs since I started flying, so if you think about it, its not that much time that i've accumulated.. which is the sad part...
As far as teaching, based on my experiences with other things, I run out of patience pretty quick, unless its a different case with aviation (ie you're trying to stay alive lol)..
 
pjk674 said:
I did over 450 hours multi time, far 135 at the largest 135 operation in the country.
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There was a thread about this a while back. The general consensus, well sorta(it got pretty heated) was that after a certain point, typically after flying in a "professional" environment, it doesn't matter and you won't notice much of a difference. But up until that point, take 2 low timers, one with a CFI and one without, and there is a chance you will notice a difference. For the most part.

I was referring to the OP being a low time guy without a CFI and was saying this was a great route to consider. I am low time guy myself, but I do have my CFI and I only have my job now because I had my CFI. It can open a lot more doors. Just because you aren't a CFI doesn't mean anything, it just has a lot of benefits and I think most people will find that it can make you a well-rounded pilot.
 
i've got my CFI/CFII/AGI but I only have 272 hours TT so its hard for me since I always get asked do you have any experience teaching yet and I always answer no. I mean you have to start somewhere, it just seems most don't want to be the place you start. I also live about 15 minutes or less from KADS. love the area but haven't had any luck here. any suggestions?
 
sky_captn said:
Yes, I meant 61.. sry.
Its been close to 5 yrs since I started flying, so if you think about it, its not that much time that i've accumulated.. which is the sad part...
As far as teaching, based on my experiences with other things, I run out of patience pretty quick, unless its a different case with aviation (ie you're trying to stay alive lol)..
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I think you can choose to have patience if you want to. In fact, I think one of the reasons employers like to see the CFI is that it shows you can work with people/customers in a stressful environment that requires respect and self discipline. So instead of thinking "No, I'm not a patient person", maybe you should look at the CFI as an opportunity to improve that skill. Trust me, it is a quality you will need in any flying career.
 
gymhaus said:
i've got my CFI/CFII/AGI but I only have 272 hours TT so its hard for me since I always get asked do you have any experience teaching yet and I always answer no. I mean you have to start somewhere, it just seems most don't want to be the place you start. I also live about 15 minutes or less from KADS. love the area but haven't had any luck here. any suggestions?
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It is a bit of a catch 22 in the aviation industry in that you need a flight instructing job to build dual given time and you need dual given time to get a CFI job. The best way to get your foot in the door and get a flight school to take a chance on you is to have the recommendation of someone more experienced and respected. The key to success in this industry is networking. Would any of your previous instructors be willing to put a good word in for you?
 
right on. Yes I agree with that. Any one of my previous instructors would probably recommend me and I know for a fact that a few said they would, but the problem is theyre all at the flight school in florida which isn't hiring right now so it doesn't really make a difference in Texas.
 
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