MAY have CFI Job in DC Area...and I have some questions

L

Lupica747

Well-Known Member
Hey everyone,

I passed my CFI-A last week and may be relocating the DC Area this May. I put my resume in at AV-ED and the chief pilot emailed me back pretty much saying they'd like to have me on the team. I have a few questions for him that I will call and ask, but I figured I could get some info here as well.

I know the DC Area is a little pricey to live. Im from New England, and its a bit high here too. Does anybody with experience in the area have suggestions about how to make ends meet with a full time CFI Job? I have zero issue taking it slow at first at the flight school and have a part time job to get on my feet and be as stable financially as possible.

How is the weather down there? I know VA is temperate but is it as "varied" or crazy as New England? The weather here lasts 5 minutes, then gets worse. Is VA as much of an aviation wasteland in the Winter as New England is?

Does anyone have experience with AV-ED? I'd love to hear the positive and negative things to be said.

And also...

I would be leaving a pretty well paying salaried job at a Fractional Ownership company that may or may not have opportunity in the future for me to fly with them (ill feel this out more in the coming weeks). I would be sacrificing a decent living to do something that doesnt pay great and something I may or may not be very good at or enjoy, all in the quest to not only build time but to expand my experiences and horizons in aviation, and broaden my comfort zone a bit to be a better pilot, but is it worth the leap of faith?

Sorry for the novel, I would love to hear what everyone has to say.
 
Lupica,

I rent from the other guys where AV-ED is - I don't have any useful input for you on that.

Northern VA in general can be pretty expensive. My CFI was born and raised in Leesburg (which is where KJYO is) and he tells me that a decent apartment out there goes for around $1200-1300 a month. You might want to consider finding roommates or living further out where it can be cheaper if that cost is daunting to you.

As far as the weather, it seems to be relatively predictable, though I've only lived in this part of the country for 18 months or so. We don't seem to get the violent pop-up storms like we did in Texas. It does get damned cold, and it will frequently snow up in NoVA where it doesn't down here in DC where I live. This winter has been wet, cold, windy and wet again. It's pissing me off. I can't WAIT for spring and summer.

Again, I can't speak for AV-ED, but despite the weather, the place I rent from is fairly busy. Helps that they have a Redbird sim to do IR training in.

There is a LOT of business/corporate traffic at JYO. You'll definitely be able to network and make connections there, and you'll see some really cool airplanes. I like JYO because it's a tad easier to deal with the SFRA when you're VFR - especially if you need to head west, north or southwest. If you need to head south or southeast, it can be a pain in the ass because of all the restricted areas. But if you're a CFI, it's relatively quick and easy to get out to the practice areas and you don't have to file a SFRA flight plan if you're departing/returning JYO and you're VFR.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for the reply! Great stuff! ...I'm trying to figure out whats around then devise a game plan whats its get closer to relocate. I noticed that JYO has a huge advantage over other area airports because they carved a nice little dent out of the airspace for planes to get in and out easier which I'm sure helps training. Winter here in NH has been a little sketchy this year and the flying activity is DEAD so im worried if I just flight instruct that I may end up starving during the winter.
 
I know av-Ed has two locations. If you end up at the Winchester location cost of living is a bit more reasonable, though I would imagine you wouldn't be quite as busy. Leesburg is kind of suburbia hell defined. Some cool areas and like Bill mentioned, probably some great networking opportunities.

Weather here isn't too bad, humid as hell in the summer, but winters (save for maybe two weeks a year) are pretty mild. Normally a couple big snows a year during which everyone freaks out, but as long as you're not a dumbass about it, isn't too bad.
 
Haha thanks. Winter in NH is pretty routine. I prob wont have a problem with winters down there. Good point about OKV...I'll prob pay some attention that operation too to see if that may be a better situation. Lots of things to think about!
 
Lupica747 said:
Thanks for the reply! Great stuff! Im guessing you rent from Aviation Adventures...I was planning on contacting them as well, I'm trying to figure out whats around then devise a game plan whats its get closer to relocate. I noticed that JYO has a huge advantage over other area airports because they carved a nice little dent out of the airspace for planes to get in and out easier which I'm sure helps training. Winter here in NH has been a little sketchy this year and the flying activity is DEAD so im worried if I just flight instruct that I may end up starving during the winter.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's who I rent with. I didn't want to mention them in your thread, but I guess since you did it's okay. :)

They treat their customers really well, and I really like the instructors I've met there. The prices are....about what the market rate, which is to say higher than I'd like, but the fleet is very well-maintained and the airplanes are about as nice as you can get for the rates. I've not flown the twins.

Like Emu mentioned, OKV is where a lot of people go to practice, too, so that patterns gets pretty busy. Local helos train there, too.

Winters here are definitely milder than NH. Not milder than TX or FL though. :)

You might also look into the operations down at HEF or Warrenton. Both would be considerably cheaper than Leesburg. I am continually amazed at the cost of housing in VA - other than the school districts (which are reportedly excellent) I simply cannot see why some of the houses cost as much as they do. Usually the burbs are cheaper than the city, right? In this case, they're about the same sometimes, and DC is effin' expensive.
 
I'm guessing its because a lot of Feds who usually are paid quite well may elect to commute instead of living in the City...plus theres been a pretty big rise in displaced New Englanders :) Im guessing a part time job is in order...I'm going to look at what the other operations entail and get a hold of them somehow. One of the FBOs in IAD is hiring...
 
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