An Expat once again!

[PWMURPHY]

After spending a month consulting for a school in Saudi Arabia, I have decided to take a management position there. The school is Rabigh Wings Flight School (www.rabighwings.com) currently based in Jeddah but will move to Rabigh (1.5 hours drive north of Jeddah) next year. Don't know if that decision is more a comment on my own interests or an indication of the state of flight training in the USA.

The school is less than a year old but already has 55 full-time students with too many part-time students to really count. 15 aircraft with the primary trainer being G1000 equipped C172s. Multis are a mixed bag but it looks like training for the near-term will be done in reconditioned turbo Seminoles.

We are seeking an experienced Chief Flight Instructor who can help the school get through the current growth phase. Need someone with recent Chief and or Asst. Chief experience. 3000 hours plus. Part 141 experience a must. If interested, send me an email to my company email address: patrick@rabighwings.com.

This is a challenging expat assignment especially for those who are married and/or have children. Compound living. Women can't drive. Hot. But the scuba diving in the Red Sea is great. And the religious intolerance is not so bad in Jeddah (versus the rest of the country). The driving on the other hand is scarier than China.

Pat Murphy

[Piperflyer]

I have seen lots of posts on climbto350, are they hiring instructors right now?

[LOGS]

Ran in to a guy through US customs over the holidays from this flight school. Had only good things to say and made some very good money. Was flying his ass off though, 100 hrs+ a month. I thought he said you might be getting a king air or two. Any truth to that??

=Jason-

[anglerquest]

Originally Posted by Piperflyer

I have seen lots of posts on climbto350, are they hiring instructors right now?

Are there any chances for a new CFI/II? (0 dual given) Thanks.

[LOGS]

Originally Posted by anglerquest

Are there any chances for a new CFI/II? (0 dual given) Thanks.

From what I heard no. I've had a buddy try to get over there for the last year or so with something like 500+ dual given and they wanted him to get more.

=Jason-

[cmill]

i sent in my resume via climbto350, would love to get out of the states for a while. Was hoping my 2000+TT would make up for only my 500 hours of given. I do have a perfect pass rate tho. Anyone i could get in contact with for a more direct line than CT350?

[Chucco]

Their website lists an address where you can email your resume. It sounds like it would be very interesting to work for them! However, I'm one of those who has a wife and child, so I don't know if its really for me... I suppose it depends on how much money we're talking about, how many hours a month we can expect, living conditions, etc. etc. I've sent them an email, so I hope they will respond.

[nbv4]

I was talking with a guy on facebook who works there currently and who used to work at the flight school I used to work at. He said my dual given time (717) was "about what they're looking for" and that he'd walk my resume in. This was in April. Heard nothing since. He also had nothing but good things to say about this place.

[LOGS]

The guy who I talked to back in Dec said he was pulling in 7k a month but flying 100hrs+. Damn good money.

=Jason-

[PWMURPHY]

Anyone truly interested in being considered can send the resume to me directly. Though I occasionally filter the postings on climbto350.com, there are actually far too many to screen properly. Right now, I would consider anyone who has at least 200 dual given. Down the road when we have the standardization program fully functional, we might consider less.

The pay for the original 3 flight instructors was quite high. Currently the pay maxs at $4K to $5K unless you are an Asst. or Chief and some of that is a per hour wage for the flight time. Pay for an instructor with only 200 dual given is around $42K annually (without the bonus). The good part is your housing, transportation, and medical insurance is free. The school pays to get you to Jeddah plus there is a one month salary bonus at the end of a full contract (14 months) and either a one-way ticket back home or roundtrip back to start another contract.

But I will say again that any expat job is a challenge and this one is more challenging than most. Consider the weather (HOT), the culture, the religion, and the politics seriously before you decide to send in an inquiry.

Pat Murphy
patrick@rabighwings.com

[SpiraMirabilis]

Have a good amount experience teaching saudis and sent you an email Pat

[PWMURPHY]

We appear to have enough guys on tap to arrive in July (15 at last count). Now looking for guys wanting to check us out for October or November arrival. Half of September we will be shutdown due to the religious holiday, Ramadan (and the heat as well).

The word "guys" is deliberate. Be aware that even a stamp from immigration at Israel is reason for rejection for the visa. You would have to get a new passport. And they do ask about religion on the visa application.

We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto!

PM

[SteveC]

Jeddah is an interesting place for sure. I spent a few months there back in, oh, around 1982. Worked installing a paint finishing system in a new Kelvinator refrigerator factory. The crews were all from the Phillipines.

I had a rough experience with sidiki after going to a post rugby match party with some UK people as I recall.

I'll reinforce the idea that snorkeling (or diving) in the Red Sea is an absolute must-do. One of the prettiest, most colorful reefs in the world is located in one of the brownest countries I've seen - go figure.

[SpiraMirabilis]

Oct/Nov? I'm psyched up already. hopefully I'm competitive with other applicants

[PVG_SGO]

You guys can't even survive if you cross the street in China. I'm a Chinese.

[nbv4]

Originally Posted by PWMURPHY

We appear to have enough guys on tap to arrive in July (15 at last count). Now looking for guys wanting to check us out for October or November arrival. Half of September we will be shutdown due to the religious holiday, Ramadan (and the heat as well).

The word "guys" is deliberate. Be aware that even a stamp from immigration at Israel is reason for rejection for the visa. You would have to get a new passport. And they do ask about religion on the visa application.

We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto!

PM

What kind of times/qualifications is this company specifically looking for when hiring instructors? Also, about how many applications are you receiving for these jobs? Is it one of those situations where you receive 500 resumes per opening, meaning the only way someone will get selected is if they have like 5000 hours dual given?

[SpiraMirabilis]

Well, he said at least 200 given right now -- I figure a lot of potential applicants aren't willing to relocate to Jeddah or Rabigh so I am curious how many resumes they actually get.

[rossy1163]

Originally Posted by SpiraMirabilis

Well, he said at least 200 given right now -- I figure a lot of potential applicants aren't willing to relocate to Jeddah or Rabigh so I am curious how many resumes they actually get.

With the current economy I think people would do just about anything to keep current and make coin!!!

[CLEVERK1]

As far as I heard they are having more than enough applicants. I agree with the poster above...hard enough to get a CFI job in the US - so a lot of people are looking overseas as well.
My current flightschool is receiving almost daily resumes with 3000 hours / jettime and more on it.

But the school seems to be pretty busy as well...I'm waiting for an interview since the middle of june.

[rossy1163]

Originally Posted by CLEVERK1

As far as I heard they are having more than enough applicants. I agree with the poster above...hard enough to get a CFI job in the US - so a lot of people are looking overseas as well.
My current flightschool is receiving almost daily resumes with 3000 hours / jettime and more on it.

But the school seems to be pretty busy as well...I'm waiting for an interview since the middle of june.

Does anybody know anybody actually teaching over there? I would like to get the inside scoop from an Instructor on the ground and get the real story.

[CLEVERK1]

I know one person at my current flight school - he was at another flight school together with some flight instructors that went over. The gig doesn't seem to be bad. I also have some Saudi Arabian friends and the country itself is not bad. But of course everybody has to remember its a different culture - a lot of things are different than at home - and everybody has to respect that and act accordingly.
An expat is pretty much a rented worker: Welcome as long as needed but if no longer needed.... - no doubt about it.

[PWMURPHY]

And now I am returning to Florida. Bad timing for me.

[CLEVERK1]

Why are you returning to Florida?

[PWMURPHY]

Change at the executive level of the company. The school is still bringing in 7 new flight instructors this month. They are getting their visas right now. And they will need more instructors this fall.
PM

[PilotUser]

Originally Posted by PWMURPHY

Change at the executive level of the company. The school is still bringing in 7 new flight instructors this month. They are getting their visas right now. And they will need more instructors this fall.
PM

Hello Pat,i actually met you once at Sierra Academy of Aeronautics in CA

I Am sending you my resume at your email...1200+ TT and about 850 Dual Given...85 Multi. My CFI is II and MEI also and expires 05-31-2010

Problem is i havent flown for about 11 months,left the States in a rush due to some family problems back home and havent flown ever since... I know it comes back pretty quick but stil havent flown for quite a while .... thought to let you know,,,some schools just dont want that.

Ground portion is something i can definately brush up with no complications from here ,,,Wondering if i would i be considerable for a candidate....


Thank You and hope in joining your team soon