CFI Part-time?

GalaxyIFE · January 3rd, 2008, 19:01

So how many out there do the CFI thing part-time? I am in the AF full time (at least that is what I am going to say on the record) and thought about working part-time as a CFI. Maybe 2 or 3 days/nights a week and Saturdays. Does it work out OK with the students or is a pain in the butt??? Just curious...

MidlifeFlyer · January 3rd, 2008, 19:19

I teach part time, even more part time than you are contemplating. In my case, I have a very select market - non-aviation career prople who are doing it for fun and can usually fly once a week on weekends if they don't have another comittment. It works out well because I understand the frustrations, increased cost, and increased time they are going to encounter.

There are a good number of people who are referred to me that I send elsewhere precisely because they can fly those 2-3 times a week you are talking about doing. I think it's definiteley worth a shot and expect that there will be a good number of students for whom your schedule will fit well.

MFT1Air · January 3rd, 2008, 19:47

I'm in Houston. 90% of the CFI I know, which is probably 25 - 30, part-time. Many of those individual's primary occupation isn't aviation related.

They do enjoy.

esa17 · January 3rd, 2008, 21:41

Since I'm a full-time student I'm only a part-time instructor, in name only. It was brought to my attention today that I've been putting up full-time numbers since I was hired. My boss warned me to take it easy and not burn myself out which I could easily see happening.

Ian J · January 3rd, 2008, 21:45

I taught part time when I was full time in the Army. I did a couple nights a week and weekends.

Worked fine with my students - in fact it was more often their schedule that interrupted training, not mine.

mxflyer · January 3rd, 2008, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFT1Air

I'm in Houston. 90% of the CFI I know, which is probably 25 - 30, part-time. Many of those individual's primary occupation isn't aviation related.

They do enjoy.

Where at around Houston???

MFT1Air · January 4th, 2008, 00:00

Quote:
Originally Posted by MFT1Air

I'm in Houston. 90% of the CFI I know, which is probably 25 - 30, part-time. Many of those individual's primary occupation isn't aviation related.

They do enjoy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxflyer

Where at around Houston???

OK, let me qualify my statement.

Clear Lake. Yes, it's Houston, but you also know we're the 4th largest U.S. city.

Airports? LaPorte, Pearland, Ellington, Galveston, Baytown, RWJ, Houston Hobby, and when I'm bored, Houston Southwest and Sugarland.

GalaxyIFE · January 4th, 2008, 00:04

Thanks for all the replies...sure looks like its a distinct possibility.

ctab5060X · January 4th, 2008, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFT1Air

Clear Lake. Yes, it's Houston, but you also know we're the 4th largest U.S. city.

I remember the first time I flew to Harris County to work and when someone in our group mentioned how big the city of Houston was, one of the county officials we were meeting with joking replied that Harris County was just a suburb of Houston...

Douglas · January 4th, 2008, 08:25

It really depends on the student. Some will complain and find another FI. That is just the way it is. Majority of students though don't have a problem with only coming out to the airport once or twice a week.

ctab5060X · January 4th, 2008, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas

It really depends on the student. Some will complain and find another FI. That is just the way it is. Majority of students though don't have a problem with only coming out to the airport once or twice a week.

I know when my Dad was instructing years back, he only did it part time in the evenings after work and on weekends. Where we were located, a lot of his students were middle aged individuals that just wanted to learn to fly (no airline aspirations). It seems that in his situation, this fit well with his students who were also working full-time jobs and could only fly a few nights each week or on the weekends.

E6BAV8R · January 6th, 2008, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by esa17

Since I'm a full-time student I'm only a part-time instructor, in name only. It was brought to my attention today that I've been putting up full-time numbers since I was hired. My boss warned me to take it easy and not burn myself out which I could easily see happening.

I'm in the same boat; full-time student, part-time instructor.

January 3rd, 2008, 19:01	#1
GalaxyIFE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Antonio TX or anywhere Uncle Sugar wants me.... Posts: 878	CFI Part-time? So how many out there do the CFI thing part-time? I am in the AF full time (at least that is what I am going to say on the record) and thought about working part-time as a CFI. Maybe 2 or 3 days/nights a week and Saturdays. Does it work out OK with the students or is a pain in the butt??? Just curious... __________________ Obama or McCain...We're Screwed!!!

January 3rd, 2008, 19:19	#2
MidlifeFlyer Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 3,027	Re: CFI Part-time? I teach part time, even more part time than you are contemplating. In my case, I have a very select market - non-aviation career prople who are doing it for fun and can usually fly once a week on weekends if they don't have another comittment. It works out well because I understand the frustrations, increased cost, and increased time they are going to encounter. There are a good number of people who are referred to me that I send elsewhere precisely because they can fly those 2-3 times a week you are talking about doing. I think it's definiteley worth a shot and expect that there will be a good number of students for whom your schedule will fit well. __________________ Mark www.midlifeflight.com "I don't understand" doesn't mean it's gray

January 3rd, 2008, 19:47	#3
MFT1Air Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clear Lake, TX Posts: 1,181	Re: CFI Part-time? I'm in Houston. 90% of the CFI I know, which is probably 25 - 30, part-time. Many of those individual's primary occupation isn't aviation related. They do enjoy.

January 3rd, 2008, 21:41	#4
esa17 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: JAX FL Posts: 488	Re: CFI Part-time? Since I'm a full-time student I'm only a part-time instructor, in name only. It was brought to my attention today that I've been putting up full-time numbers since I was hired. My boss warned me to take it easy and not burn myself out which I could easily see happening. __________________ Being captain is about pure intuition and heart, a good captain can't have either one.

January 3rd, 2008, 21:45	#5
Ian J Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 6,000 Blog Entries: 7	Re: CFI Part-time? I taught part time when I was full time in the Army. I did a couple nights a week and weekends. Worked fine with my students - in fact it was more often their schedule that interrupted training, not mine. __________________

January 4th, 2008, 00:04	#8
GalaxyIFE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Antonio TX or anywhere Uncle Sugar wants me.... Posts: 878	Re: CFI Part-time? Thanks for all the replies...sure looks like its a distinct possibility. __________________ Obama or McCain...We're Screwed!!!

January 4th, 2008, 08:25	#10
Douglas Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 66	Re: CFI Part-time? It really depends on the student. Some will complain and find another FI. That is just the way it is. Majority of students though don't have a problem with only coming out to the airport once or twice a week. __________________ CFI

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode