Training at a FBO

welle036

Well-Known Member
I have been hoping to return to Ari Ben to complete the pro course there, but financially I have realized it isn't going to happen. I am thinking now of going pay as you go at a local FBO. The reason I wanted to go to Ari Ben is that I got my private there and saw how valuable it was for you to be able to instruct there after going through the course and get all that multi time. I met a lot of CFI who came to Ari to do their multi time building or else just needed to get time because they couldn't get any consistent students where they were teaching. My main question is does anyone have experience landing a good CFI job after training at an FBO? I saw some jobs in florida that looked good, but I think it is hard to meet the minimum requirements at some of these places without doing some time building first. It would be easiest to just go through Ari Ben, but the costs are too steep up front.
 
http://forums.jetcareers.com/showthread.php?t=37893

In summary, there are plenty of CFI jobs to go around, especially FBO CFI jobs. Hell the FBO owner where I am has been trying to find another CFI for this area for over a year. There is no way he's gonna get someone to come out to east bumfart when FBO's in urban areas cant even get enough instructors.

Read the above linked thread. It was discussed already there.
 
I understand you can get a job with your CFI. I am questioning whether some one at a local FBO has the ability to land a good job that will get 1000hrs/year or so. It seems like those jobs are harder to come by and mostly go to program graduates of those specific schools.
 
I understand you can get a job with your CFI. I am questioning whether some one at a local FBO has the ability to land a good job that will get 1000hrs/year or so. It seems like those jobs are harder to come by and mostly go to program graduates of those specific schools.

Just taking a guess, but I'd say a lot of this depends on your locations. For instance, I'd say you'd get 1,000 hours a year at an FBO in Florida or Phoenix quicker than say, Wisconsin. Just seems logical, but I could very well be wrong.

On a side note, I too will be doing training at an FBO here in Denver, Flights, Inc. I was scheduled for a discovery flight yesterday, but the weather killed that plan. I still went to the facilities and took a tour and checked out the fleet, very nice and big fleet I must say. Can't wait to start!
 
I understand you can get a job with your CFI. I am questioning whether some one at a local FBO has the ability to land a good job that will get 1000hrs/year or so. It seems like those jobs are harder to come by and mostly go to program graduates of those specific schools.


There are many schools out there that you have the potential to fly at least 1000hrs/yr. You just have to be willing to move to get those jobs. If you are eventually looking for a corporate or 135 job, I think you are always better off getting a 750-1000 hr/yr job at an FBO so you can do some networking.
 
There are never guarantees and it is all whom you know and will meet. FBO's worked for me. But for me, whereever this takes me is an adventure. I am not looking to make a regional by next year (actually, I really don't want to go that route at all) and I know that multi time will happen way down the road, but I could care less for now. Right now, I am just having a blast learning it all and in a way that I want it to happen.

I looked at the academies and it just wasn't for me. Plus they cost wayyyyyy too much. If you find a good FBO and you feel confident with them, stay with them and make connections... If all goes well and they take a liking to you, you could end up working for them... who knows???? Good luck in what ever you choose.
 
There are many schools out there that you have the potential to fly at least 1000hrs/yr. You just have to be willing to move to get those jobs. If you are eventually looking for a corporate or 135 job, I think you are always better off getting a 750-1000 hr/yr job at an FBO so you can do some networking.

i just replaced a guy at a local fbo (in georgia). he built 800hrs in approx. 8 months or so, then got a corporate job with basically all single time. i would definitey say the fbo route seems logical for the corporate world.
 
Based on some calculations, it doesn't seem that Ari-ben is really that expensive compared to what you get. You get all multi-time for only 35000. To me, that does not seem irrational or overpriced. You also get 3 months of housing. just based on calculations, I don't know anything about the school.
 
Ari Ben is cheap and also a great place to go to school. What prevents someone from going there is needing to work your way through school. I think that I will end up paying more at an FBO, but will be able to continue to work full-time and pay for it that way. Ari Ben is a full-time school unless you wanted to relocate there and find work before you began school.
 
Back
Top