Tired of giving a/c checkouts

[minds_warped]

All I do is a/c checkouts!! I can't take it anymore. The school I currently work at as a CFI is merely an aircraft rental facility. I've been a CFI for 3 months and flown about 100 hours giving a/c checkouts, and these good for nothing $49 intro flights which I hate. I've had a few students but they all end up leaving because of financial, or other personal reasons.
I'm considering moving to a new flight academy which opened up here locally, but have to pay over $7000 to take their "Airline Prep" program, However, I would have a job as a CFI when done in about a month and building time a lot quicker than at my current school. So the question being - Stay where I'm at flying 8 hours a week and hope it picks up, or go on to a better school where I'll progress and build time quicker?
I know, I know.......poor me right.

[GregCollins2]

Are you confident you'll have a job with the Academy??? Given the market right now you will want to think long and hard before burning any bridges. If you are guaranteed a CFI job and you are sure you will be getting more time, and perhaps better quality time like complex and mulit, then the move is a no brainer.

[Grabo172]

It's not an easy market, Like GC said, are you SURE you'd be getting a postion with the new place as a CFI. Don't let yourself fall into "the grass is greener" attitude unless you know for sure.

As for your current job... have you tried any marketing on your own? That should get you some business. If you want a decent book to read about it, get "The Savvy Flight Instructor" from ASA... has a few pointers on gettting and maintaining students.

Moral of the story... Don't lose heart and be SURE of your options...

[minds_warped]

I'm reading that book right now. Basically the school has said I would have a position as a CFI, but no guarantees. It would be a great opportunity but $7000 out the door and no CFI job when I'm done really scares me. Their Airline Prep program is pretty good and I'd finish my ATP written. New planes and an excellent facility. It would be nice to get away from the $49 intro flights.........errr....birthday presents given to someone who has no interest whatsoever in learning how to fly, just to take pretty pictures. "Hey, CFI could you please take a picture of me and my wife next to the plane?" Enough already!

[Cosmo1999]

sometimes though even if the person intially doesnt have interest in flying when they finish their discovery flight or whatever you want to call it they may change their mind. Try to sell the advantages of getting a private lisence and learning to fly on those "worthless flights". You never know it may turn them into students. I obtained quite a few students through those flights. I hated them at first but then tried selling the good points. If the person did want to fly they would always ask for my name when they wanted to get started. Sometimes aircraft checkouts can bring you commercial and/or instrument students. Maybe try asking them a bit what they are working on and if they are interested in any additional training. Honestly changing jobs can be a big risk. Maybe try recruiting first before switching. Unless you work at a really big flight academy your experiences will be the same for the first little while. good luck

[viper548]

my flight school has $85 intro flights which are 1/2 hr ground, preflight and .7 flight time. Those $49 things are only .4. The other day an intro and I couldn't find a sitter, so I had to take the kid to a friend an hour away to babysit. The intro flt. was a Bday present, no interest in flight training. So I ended up driving 4 hours, paying the sitter $20 for .7 flight time+1/2 hr ground.

[TallBoy85]

Whoa whoa...wait a second...you've been instructing for 3 months and you're sick of doing aircraft checkouts? Didn't you get paid for 100 hours of just sitting there doing nothing? I'm not sure I get it. At least doing aircraft checkouts you're flying with students who should be fairly competent, doing maneuvers that they should be fairly competent in. I've made 10 babies...that's a 0 time pilot to a private pilot, most beyond and yeah...that was the rewarding stuff but come on...just be glad that for now you aren't down in the trenches with an 8 hour pilot at the country's 37th busiest airport teaching people how to land.

Everyone pays their dues teaching, and then you pay them and move on. Just don't think they're paid in 3 months. Enjoy flight instructing while you're still sane it's awesome, but re-analyze something. How much would have paid for that 100 hours you just got paid for? The dollar signs drop for ya? Thought so.

Enjoy the intro flights

J

[cime_sp]

I've had days where I've flown over 7 hours...and never left the traffic pattern!!!! That's enough to drive you nuts.

[E_Dawg]

lucky you... been a cfi for 4 months here and logged 23 hrs given... yup 23 hrs