Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions for CFIs.
1. How difficult is it to be hired as a CFI at UND?
2. Do you enjoy the job?
3. Should one wait until they graduate before they try to start as a CFI, or is it reasonable to balance the job and coursework?
3. How many hours (TT/ME) are you typically logging per month?
Thanks!
1. This can vary at times depending on supply and demand. I would encourage you to investigate the hiring process and be prepared. Typically, the process involves a written test covering commercial pilot knowledge and CFI related information such as endorsements, common errors, etc. An IFR simulator evaluation is also conducted. Interviews are also held. It is HR and technical and is conducted by several lead instructors in addition to some line instructors.
2. I did enjoy instructing very much. I instructed from 2008-2011, for a hair over 1,000 hrs. It certainly has its moments like any job does, but it was rewarding in many regards. There is a very diverse student base and they will keep you sharp.
3. Out of the nearly four years that I instructed, I was taking class for around three. A year and a half of undergrad, and a year and a half of graduate coursework. It is possible to balance schedules, but can be tricky at times. I was also very active in some student groups and marching band as well. I had to reduce my band participation when I began instructing to open more time for students. The key is to be smart about enrolling in classes, trying to keep them all together on certain days in order to free up blocks of 4+ hours at a time for students. A block of two hours here, and three hours here won't work with the flight schedule.
4. When I was full time, I had a goal of billing 100 hours/month. This included flight, pre/post brief, simulator, and ground lesson time. Out of that, around half was flight time. It is very possible to work more than that if you are interested. Keep in mind, I was taking classes, so I tried to limit instructing to a point. You are allowed up to 40 hours/week, and some instructors and roll in close to that.
Keep in mind that my opinion is going to vary a lot from other instructors. I thoroughly enjoyed my time instructing at UND. I got along with nearly all the other instructors and the management. That does not mean that we didn't have disagreements. There are a lot of things that I believe could be done differently, but in the end I wasn't flying my own airplane. I flew it the way they wanted it flown, and I taught what they wanted taught. As an instructor in a 141 program, you are bound to teach what is in the TCO. However, you do have the ability to add to it and put your own twist on things with scenarios and so forth. Find interesting ways to keep the students engaged and push their experience levels within the TCO. Remain professional and personable. Think AND teach outside the box. Management will listen if you approach them professionally about an issue.
Good luck if you decide to take the plunge!
