Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta - Page 3

Snow · August 14th, 2006, 09:28

My TT is 430hrs flight plus 510hrs simulator and 115ME. You know, that's a tough call. If you go the instructor route you'll end up with more time and a lot of Multi, but if you go the sim center option, you get great advanced training and employment opertunites if your lucky. But if you wanna increase your chances of getting a job, having some hours to back it up certianly helps. I would recomend either working as a CFI there and then, coming to a center, (you'll have more chances of landing something with some hours to back you up.) Or you can do as a lot of us here at the center have done, work at a sim center and work at a part 61 school CFIing as a part time job. That way you kinda get the best of both worlds, but you probably won't get as much multi as you would at FSA. I've been fortunate enough that all my multi since FSA has been turbine. Plus it depends on where you wanna end up, if you want to just go airline, you can probably skip the sim center and just instruct, but if you wanna land a corporate job, I'd definatly give it a shot.

Hope that helps you out some.

Quote:

Originally Posted by psalm91

Hey Snow...what's your TT? I'm heading to FSA in October to do my CFI - do you recommend instructing there to get the hours, vs. moving on to a jet center after my CFI?

Thanks.

psalm91 · August 14th, 2006, 13:06

Yes, that does help -- thank you!

ananoman · August 14th, 2006, 14:53

I would recommend working at FSI as an instructor if you are offered a job. To me, one of the best reasons to go to an academy type school is because you want to get a job there. At FSI, you should get a steady stream of motivated students and a lot of multi-time. You are also paid decently and get full benefits. So, although I was not always happy in my time there, compared to many FBO operations, it was a paradise. Half of your dual given will probably be multi-time if you work there. It depends on how many CFI students you do after you complete the 400 dual given requirement to do CFI initials.

If you do get hired I would not leave until you are close to the ATP minimums, but if you complete the 800 hour contract, you will have at least 1000 hours. I would then go to one of the FSI learning centers. The minimum to get typed at FSI is 1000 hours, so you would have that box checked. If you wait until you have your ATP minimums, then you can get your ATP as well. The important thing is the cross country hours. Instructing in the Seminole makes it doable to get the 500 cc requirement out of the way. You can count 100 hours in the sim toward the 1500 hr ATP minimum, so total time is not as important as the cc time.

The reason I suggest being an instructor first, is because it is very hard to get looked at in the corporate world with out your ATP. If you have an ATP and a type rating, you are much more marketable. The other thing I would recommend is be realistic when making your aircraft choices. I would recommend against going for the GV or the Global, just because it is a long shot. There was a guy that was hired to fly the GV out of the internship with very low hours, but that was an anomaly. Most insurance companies would choke.

So, my advice is try to be an instructor at FSI first, then do the internship. If that does not work out then by all means do the internship. I don't know how Snow is doing, but I averaged $20k per year instructing at FSI (this was after 9/11 when we went from over 100 instructor to 35, others were not so lucky). At the center, I usually worked at least 30 hours per week, sometimes considerably more, so I made in the mid 20's. I did some contract work as well, after I was there a while. I usually got $500 per day, although I would go lower at first, when I had no jet time.

If you do contract work, get your rate in writing (at least an e-mail), and make sure they understand it is for all days away from home. I did a 3 day contract in the Beechjet which consisted of one day to airline to the jet, one day of flying and a final day to airline home. Paycheck = $500, when I call they said they only pay for flying. We compromised and they gave me another $500. Then they want to know if I want a job! No thank you.

If you do decide to go this route, you will meet a lot of people. You will be decently compensated at the Centers and will learn more than I can tell you. You will also get to see what it is like being a sim instructor, which may be something you will consider if you lose your medical or want to be home more later in your career. If you do your job, one of the people you meet will hire you and you will get a job that is significantly better than going to the reqionals.

psalm91 · August 14th, 2006, 15:06

Wow - excellent info! Thank you so much

jonboy34 · September 3rd, 2006, 19:01

Instructing for FSA or going to a FSI center and instructing at a FBO on the side, I believe are equally good options, just depends on what is the best situation for you when you are finished with your CFI at FSA. For me there was still a wait to instruct at the academy, so even though i was hired i went to a center and also got a job at an FBO to CFI on the side. Now a year later and over 1000tt I just finished interviewing at 2 regional airlines, and believe I have 2 offers (haven't heard officially on one of them yet) but I will tell you this: The biggest selling point I used and what they were most interested about me was my internship and almost 500 level D sim hours learning about Jet systems and flying in a crew environment with emergencies every day. If I did get the job for any reason it definetly because of the experiences i had and the FSI learning center. Good Luck to you!

Snow · November 28th, 2006, 15:05

Tuesday, November 28th 2006

Hey all, it's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd let you all know that I'm still alive and kicking and still at the FSI sim center in Atlanta. I have however been doing a fair bit of contract co-pilot work on the side recently, mostly in a Lear 45 with a little bit recently on a EMB-120. I have my contacts at FlightSafety to thank for both of those opportunities.

A few big changes recently, I got married in September to an amazing girl who has qualities I didn't think existed! Ie she loves console games as much as I do, helps me work on my truck and is currently in basic training for the Air Force to become an aircraft mechanic. That last one is probably my fault, she had only ever been on one trip on an airplane before (airline) and was studying graphic design when I met her! I took her for a few airplane rides, both in a 2 seater trainer and on the LearJet and she was hooked. So I guess I'll break'em and she'll fix'em hehe. Oh and I proposed to her at 5500ft over downtown Atlanta at night <grin>

Sooooo, right now I'm kinda hanging out to see where she's gonna get stationed before I go for any full time pilot jobs. She should be done with tech school by April. Right now an airline job seems most compatible with her job since we might be moving around a lot. So for now I'm just building that multi-turbine time, hopefully that will be worth something to a regional in the future. Till next time!

bLizZuE · November 29th, 2006, 08:25

Congratulations!

CLR4ILS · November 29th, 2006, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

Tuesday, November 28th 2006

Hey all, it's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd let you all know that I'm still alive and kicking and still at the FSI sim center in Atlanta. I have however been doing a fair bit of contract co-pilot work on the side recently, mostly in a Lear 45 with a little bit recently on a EMB-120. I have my contacts at FlightSafety to thank for both of those opportunities.

A few big changes recently, I got married in September to an amazing girl who has qualities I didn't think existed! Ie she loves console games as much as I do, helps me work on my truck and is currently in basic training for the Air Force to become an aircraft mechanic. That last one is probably my fault, she had only ever been on one trip on an airplane before (airline) and was studying graphic design when I met her! I took her for a few airplane rides, both in a 2 seater trainer and on the LearJet and she was hooked. So I guess I'll break'em and she'll fix'em hehe. Oh and I proposed to her at 5500ft over downtown Atlanta at night <grin>

Sooooo, right now I'm kinda hanging out to see where she's gonna get stationed before I go for any full time pilot jobs. She should be done with tech school by April. Right now an airline job seems most compatible with her job since we might be moving around a lot. So for now I'm just building that multi-turbine time, hopefully that will be worth something to a regional in the future. Till next time!

Hey snowman.... How ya been? Coming out to PHX again any time soon? Just a thought since you have relatives out in New Mex, can she put in for Luke AB in Phoenix? I am not sure if their is a base that will work in NM...

ILS

Snow · April 7th, 2007, 14:08

Snow moves across the parking lot to ASA, well sorta, most of the training is done in the same FSI building anyhow.

Well after about 2 yrs as FSI's longest serving intern, I finally moved on to bigger and better things, least in a full time fashon anyhow. I was in the Jan 29th class and I have finished my month of ground school and my month of simulator training, up next... a month or so of IOE training, which is basicly me learning how to do all the airline type stuff now that I know how to fly the darned thing. (in the simulator anyhow) I will be flying the aircraft with pax in the back with a training captain for 25-35hrs. Then I'm more or less fully qualified. oh and I will be flying the CRJ-200, it's about twice as heavy as the biggest thing I've flown thus far and it has an approach speed of around 140kts or better. There's a good reason we don't circle IFR in this thing! Anyhow I can feel the pain that Doug's going through having just done it myself, I'm glad it's over cause I'm sick of studying, which I have been doing for the past 2 months just about non-stop and the saying it's like drinking from a firehose is right on. I won't go on about the details, no doubt you've heard it from someone else before.

Sorry for not notifying ealier, but as you now know I've been kinda busy the past two months! Cheers! A weekend of R&R for me!

CLR4ILS · April 9th, 2007, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

Snow moves across the parking lot to ASA, well sorta, most of the training is done in the same FSI building anyhow.

Well after about 2 yrs as FSI's longest serving intern, I finally moved on to bigger and better things, least in a full time fashon anyhow. I was in the Jan 29th class and I have finished my month of ground school and my month of simulator training, up next... a month or so of IOE training, which is basicly me learning how to do all the airline type stuff now that I know how to fly the darned thing. (in the simulator anyhow) I will be flying the aircraft with pax in the back with a training captain for 25-35hrs. Then I'm more or less fully qualified. oh and I will be flying the CRJ-200, it's about twice as heavy as the biggest thing I've flown thus far and it has an approach speed of around 140kts or better. There's a good reason we don't circle IFR in this thing! Anyhow I can feel the pain that Doug's going through having just done it myself, I'm glad it's over cause I'm sick of studying, which I have been doing for the past 2 months just about non-stop and the saying it's like drinking from a firehose is right on. I won't go on about the details, no doubt you've heard it from someone else before.

Sorry for not notifying ealier, but as you now know I've been kinda busy the past two months! Cheers! A weekend of R&R for me!

Congrats.... you have worked hard and now you are exactly where you want to be.

I never had a doubt that you would make it...

Congats again...

ILS

falconvalley · April 10th, 2007, 13:24

Congrats Snow! Get used to saying "I'm on high mins." What aircraft did your wife get an assigment on?

Snow · April 21st, 2007, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconvalley

Congrats Snow! Get used to saying "I'm on high mins." What aircraft did your wife get an assigment on?

Um, well she's an Air Transportation Aprentice at Altus AFB, Oaklahoma. The base where C-5, C-17 and KC-135 pilots and crews learn their job. Her job pretty much involves anything going onto or off a military transport.

August 14th, 2006, 13:06	#52
psalm91 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 125	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta Yes, that does help -- thank you!

August 14th, 2006, 14:53	#53
ananoman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 916	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta I would recommend working at FSI as an instructor if you are offered a job. To me, one of the best reasons to go to an academy type school is because you want to get a job there. At FSI, you should get a steady stream of motivated students and a lot of multi-time. You are also paid decently and get full benefits. So, although I was not always happy in my time there, compared to many FBO operations, it was a paradise. Half of your dual given will probably be multi-time if you work there. It depends on how many CFI students you do after you complete the 400 dual given requirement to do CFI initials. If you do get hired I would not leave until you are close to the ATP minimums, but if you complete the 800 hour contract, you will have at least 1000 hours. I would then go to one of the FSI learning centers. The minimum to get typed at FSI is 1000 hours, so you would have that box checked. If you wait until you have your ATP minimums, then you can get your ATP as well. The important thing is the cross country hours. Instructing in the Seminole makes it doable to get the 500 cc requirement out of the way. You can count 100 hours in the sim toward the 1500 hr ATP minimum, so total time is not as important as the cc time. The reason I suggest being an instructor first, is because it is very hard to get looked at in the corporate world with out your ATP. If you have an ATP and a type rating, you are much more marketable. The other thing I would recommend is be realistic when making your aircraft choices. I would recommend against going for the GV or the Global, just because it is a long shot. There was a guy that was hired to fly the GV out of the internship with very low hours, but that was an anomaly. Most insurance companies would choke. So, my advice is try to be an instructor at FSI first, then do the internship. If that does not work out then by all means do the internship. I don't know how Snow is doing, but I averaged $20k per year instructing at FSI (this was after 9/11 when we went from over 100 instructor to 35, others were not so lucky). At the center, I usually worked at least 30 hours per week, sometimes considerably more, so I made in the mid 20's. I did some contract work as well, after I was there a while. I usually got $500 per day, although I would go lower at first, when I had no jet time. If you do contract work, get your rate in writing (at least an e-mail), and make sure they understand it is for all days away from home. I did a 3 day contract in the Beechjet which consisted of one day to airline to the jet, one day of flying and a final day to airline home. Paycheck = $500, when I call they said they only pay for flying. We compromised and they gave me another $500. Then they want to know if I want a job! No thank you. If you do decide to go this route, you will meet a lot of people. You will be decently compensated at the Centers and will learn more than I can tell you. You will also get to see what it is like being a sim instructor, which may be something you will consider if you lose your medical or want to be home more later in your career. If you do your job, one of the people you meet will hire you and you will get a job that is significantly better than going to the reqionals.

August 14th, 2006, 15:06	#54
psalm91 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 125	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta Wow - excellent info! Thank you so much

September 3rd, 2006, 19:01	#55
jonboy34 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atlanta/Cali Posts: 67	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta Instructing for FSA or going to a FSI center and instructing at a FBO on the side, I believe are equally good options, just depends on what is the best situation for you when you are finished with your CFI at FSA. For me there was still a wait to instruct at the academy, so even though i was hired i went to a center and also got a job at an FBO to CFI on the side. Now a year later and over 1000tt I just finished interviewing at 2 regional airlines, and believe I have 2 offers (haven't heard officially on one of them yet) but I will tell you this: The biggest selling point I used and what they were most interested about me was my internship and almost 500 level D sim hours learning about Jet systems and flying in a crew environment with emergencies every day. If I did get the job for any reason it definetly because of the experiences i had and the FSI learning center. Good Luck to you!

November 28th, 2006, 15:05	#56
Snow Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 870	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta Tuesday, November 28th 2006 Hey all, it's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd let you all know that I'm still alive and kicking and still at the FSI sim center in Atlanta. I have however been doing a fair bit of contract co-pilot work on the side recently, mostly in a Lear 45 with a little bit recently on a EMB-120. I have my contacts at FlightSafety to thank for both of those opportunities. A few big changes recently, I got married in September to an amazing girl who has qualities I didn't think existed! Ie she loves console games as much as I do, helps me work on my truck and is currently in basic training for the Air Force to become an aircraft mechanic. That last one is probably my fault, she had only ever been on one trip on an airplane before (airline) and was studying graphic design when I met her! I took her for a few airplane rides, both in a 2 seater trainer and on the LearJet and she was hooked. So I guess I'll break'em and she'll fix'em hehe. Oh and I proposed to her at 5500ft over downtown Atlanta at night <grin> Sooooo, right now I'm kinda hanging out to see where she's gonna get stationed before I go for any full time pilot jobs. She should be done with tech school by April. Right now an airline job seems most compatible with her job since we might be moving around a lot. So for now I'm just building that multi-turbine time, hopefully that will be worth something to a regional in the future. Till next time! __________________ "Never keep daring and recklessness in the same pocket" - Macross Plus

November 29th, 2006, 08:25	#57
bLizZuE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vero Beach, Florida Posts: 1,216	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta Congratulations! __________________ \| website \| CFI \| CFII \| MEI \| 141 Check Instructor \| AOPA Mentor Pilot

April 7th, 2007, 14:08	#59
Snow Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 870	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta Snow moves across the parking lot to ASA, well sorta, most of the training is done in the same FSI building anyhow. Well after about 2 yrs as FSI's longest serving intern, I finally moved on to bigger and better things, least in a full time fashon anyhow. I was in the Jan 29th class and I have finished my month of ground school and my month of simulator training, up next... a month or so of IOE training, which is basicly me learning how to do all the airline type stuff now that I know how to fly the darned thing. (in the simulator anyhow) I will be flying the aircraft with pax in the back with a training captain for 25-35hrs. Then I'm more or less fully qualified. oh and I will be flying the CRJ-200, it's about twice as heavy as the biggest thing I've flown thus far and it has an approach speed of around 140kts or better. There's a good reason we don't circle IFR in this thing! Anyhow I can feel the pain that Doug's going through having just done it myself, I'm glad it's over cause I'm sick of studying, which I have been doing for the past 2 months just about non-stop and the saying it's like drinking from a firehose is right on. I won't go on about the details, no doubt you've heard it from someone else before. Sorry for not notifying ealier, but as you now know I've been kinda busy the past two months! Cheers! A weekend of R&R for me! __________________ "Never keep daring and recklessness in the same pocket" - Macross Plus

April 10th, 2007, 13:24	#61
falconvalley Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KMKE Posts: 2,026	Re: Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta Congrats Snow! Get used to saying "I'm on high mins." What aircraft did your wife get an assigment on? __________________ British Airways flight asks for push back clearance from terminal. Control Tower replies: "And where is the world's most experienced airline going today without filing a flight plan?"

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