Opportunity Advice

Hckey2477

Hckey2477

Well-Known Member
I am in a bit of a pickle. I recieved a phone call today, basically offering me a job to fly for an air taxi in the Cessna/Columbia 400. I am currenlty working on my CFII which shouldn't take too long, but I have been planning to Instruct at the flight school which started it all for me. Any suggestions on which I should do? I would love to fly the Cessna 400, on the other hand I don't want to burn any bridges. Thanks :)
 
Hckey2477 said:
I am in a bit of a pickle. I recieved a phone call today, basically offering me a job to fly for an air taxi in the Cessna/Columbia 400.
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You were "basically" offered a job?? Well, were you are weren't you? You probably need to clarify more about the gig (how much flying you'll do, how much pic time you can rack up, etc.) before you can really make a good decision.
 
Was this offer from someone you know, random solicitation or did you submit a resume?

I love to give advice, but I think some more info on the position and background is needed...
 
The reason I didn't give any more info is because I didn't have all the info yet. The offer is from somebody I know. This is what I got from our last conversation:

I would be flying directly for the owner of the aircraft (on call), and in it's down time, anybody that leased the plane.

I would be flying in the vicinity of 30-50 hours a month. (rough estimate)
At $700 a week. (fly or not)

He did not have a problem with me instructing on the side, as long as he had priority.
 
Sounds like it would be a interesting job. I would deff still instruct on the side though. You will learn alot more instructing then flying point to point all the time.
 
Sounds like a good gig. I would definitely still instruct while you have the chance. No reason to close any doors right now with the way things are.
 
Hckey2477 said:
The reason I didn't give any more info is because I didn't have all the info yet. The offer is from somebody I know. This is what I got from our last conversation:

I would be flying directly for the owner of the aircraft (on call), and in it's down time, anybody that leased the plane.

I would be flying in the vicinity of 30-50 hours a month. (rough estimate)
At $700 a week. (fly or not)

He did not have a problem with me instructing on the side, as long as he had priority.
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Take it.
 
I think you can probably hold this and instruct on the side! Make sure you find out how much call out time is given beforehand. Also make sure that your students understand that you're on call and may have to cancel scheduled lessons with them every once in a while.
 
Take it. If all you've done is expressed interest in working for your past flight school, there's no problem with taking a better opportunity that comes along if you're courteous.
 
I'd say take it. It sounds like a good opportunity. And God knows there aren't many jobs out there right now. You can always go back and get your CFII later if you so choose.
 
People who run flight schools really understand that you will be moving on, so moving on by itself won't burn a bridge if that is what you are worried about. The devil is in the details of how you do it.
Don't cost them any money or headaches when you move on and they should welcome you back with open arms if you were a good employee.

Do what you want.

Edit: I just looked at your flight time and that is impressive that you have that job offer, good job.
 
Has the school you are "planning to instruct at" actually offered you a job? If not, then you owe them nothing; not even an explanation. You are their customer, nothing more. If the school is paying for you to get your CFII, then that's a different story.
 
Douglas said:
People who run flight schools really understand that you will be moving on, so moving on by itself won't burn a bridge if that is what you are worried about. The devil is in the details of how you do it.
Don't cost them any money or headaches when you move on and they should welcome you back with open arms if you were a good employee.

Do what you want.

Edit: I just looked at your flight time and that is impressive that you have that job offer, good job.
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Yes, my flight time is quite low. (just finishing out of a 141) I am sure this opportunity wouldn't be here if he wasn't an acquaintance.


To answer your question skydog, CFII im paying for myself. Interview is scheduled after completion. (everybody gets through the interview, but not the standz)

I guess what I meant by "burning bridges" is that if the job somehow went sour, would I still have a place to go.
 
Hckey2477 said:
I guess what I meant by "burning bridges" is that if the job somehow went sour, would I still have a place to go.
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Sure, your part time CFI job would become full time. Plus you will have some great experiance to bring to the table.

I did basicly the same thing for a law firm in a T210, and it was a nice break from students trying to kill me in the pattern.
 
sundog said:
"air taxi" implies part 135. do you have part 135 minimums?
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Hckey2477 said:
I would be flying directly for the owner of the aircraft (on call), and in it's down time, anybody that leased the plane.
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It sounds more like 134 1/2 charter (charter without a 135 certificate). I think you might want to talk to them a little more about this "lease" arrangement and how it works and who, exactly, they lease to. I'd hate to see you burn bridges with other area legitimate charter operators if this operation is really what it sounds like, at least on the surface. Just a friendly word of advice to consider all of the ramifications and understand fully what you're getting into.
 
SteveC said:
It sounds more like 134 1/2 charter (charter without a 135 certificate). I think you might want to talk to them a little more about this "lease" arrangement and how it works and who, exactly, they lease to. I'd hate to see you burn bridges with other area legitimate charter operators if this operation is really what it sounds like, at least on the surface. Just a friendly word of advice to consider all of the ramifications and understand fully what you're getting into.
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I definitly intend to. If it the lease arrangement looks sketchy, I could fly for the only for the owner on a single contract. (if he agreed).
 
Hckey2477 said:
I definitly intend to. If it the lease arrangement looks sketchy, I could fly for the only for the owner on a single contract. (if he agreed).
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The owner "probably" doesn't understand about 135 and holding out. You need to educate him about it. He may just asssume that he can treat his plane like a backhoe.
 
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