Do I Really Need My CFI

I'm a semi fresh commerical pilot. (ME/SE). 330/50 are my times and I have a skydiving gig until August. By the end of August, I should have 1000/100.

I've decided getting my CFI isn't the best for me. ( I've REALLY considered it, taken the knowledge tests, read the FOI's, taken some instruction etc) and I cannot see myself giving instruction. I know this is the best route for most people and I know I'm a GREAT pilot, but won't make a good CFI. ( Kinda reserved, shy etc). Maybe in a few years I will have a different mindset.

The airlines are out of question. I will not be 23 by next August. ( 5 more years, whoohoo.)

So has anyone gone down this route...Not getting your CFI and still having an okay flying job? What jobs could I get with 1,000/100? I'd move anywhere and don't care so much about pay as long as it'sreasonable.

If my math is correct, and its Currently May, which gives you 4 months to get another 670 hours, that would be flying 167.5 hours each month.

Wow, that is, well exessive.

At any rate, getting your CFI even if you dont think you will be a good one, is a great learning experience.

It's a BUSY DZ, I fly around 30 hours a week just there, plus another 5-10 hours a week misc. ( Whether I pay for it, safety pilot etc.)

It's a great learning experience. I got my CFI early on but ended up not using it much as I did Grand Canyon tours as a time builder. You might be able to do something similar without the CFI. You call yourself a "GREAT pilot" here. I'm a senior Capt at UPS and I've never said that. You could use a lesson in humility. Good luck whatever you decide. Just think you might want to tone it down a bit if you want folks here to take your seriously.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Suck it up man. I don't care how good you THINK you are, you will more than double your knowledge and skill just working on your CFI, much less when you get your first or second students and you start preparing lessons. If you make a really crappy CFI you will "probably" make a pretty crappy airline captain when you fly with the new guys. Going through the process is much more of a learning experience than a teaching experience. I hope you rethink your decision. It is good for everyone.

Just trying to give a compare/contrast as to how I handle the plane and how I would teach. Not trying to be literal.

Get the CFI, even if you think you will never use it. Will open doors you never knew were there

Idk if you will have a thousand by August, that is a little excessive. Also just a suggestion most great pilots don't call themselves a great pilot.


Captain Sullenburger never once said, "I am a great pilot."

You sound like you are doing good in your career, but dude tone it down. Your life is gonna suck when your 20 flying 135 and you have no friends and you can not relate to anyone older than you because you have no life experience. Live life, it is is not a race.

Flying careers will be around when you turn 23. Go to school and enjoy life's adventures. You only get to be young once.

If you keep going down this path you are going to be highly disappointed. Guaranteed.

There are many jobs that can teach you skills that do not require a CFI for instance, ferry pilot, aerial surveyor, aerial mapper, pipe pilot, and VFR 135... etc

Every Non-CFI job I've applied to has listed CFI as a minimum requirement or at least a preferred qualification. Other employers like to see that you can teach, too

Anyone can call themselves a great pilot. I am guessing if you interviewed at a regional you might be knocked down a peg or 2.

If you've already decided this, why'd you come here to ask for advice?

I'm probably not the guy to answer, because I spent six years as a CFI...not exactly the path you're on.

But for what it's worth, I'd say the biggest hurdle is not going to be your 1000/100 times as much as the fact all your time is going to come from flying jumpers--local day VFR. It goes back to the "quantity versus quality" issue. Flying jumpers is fine to boost your total time and round out a resume, but it's not viewed as good *quality* time by most operators.

Personally, if I were on a hiring board, I wouldn't hire you. Not trying to be a jerk, just giving you an honest assessment of how I see pilots with the background you're planning to have.

Technically you'll qualify to work as an FO for random charter companies, or maybe flying freight for one of the VFR Part 135 operators in Alaska. You'd probably need some sort of internal connection to get those jobs though.

You could also move to a bigger DZ and hopefully fly something like a Caravan, so you'd at least be getting some turbine time and better pay, although it'd be somewhat of a lateral move since it'd still be flying jumpers under day VFR.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck in the future.

It seems every week at least one person posts a question looking for somebody to make themselves feel better/justify their excuse to not get the CFI. Uhg! I totally agree that it's not for everybody. In fact, know a few instructors that I wish... weren't.

I'm not gonna say if you should get the CFI or not. My humble opinion: You have a long flying career ahead of you. Instead of worrying about getting an "OK flying job." Worry about mastering your craft. Sometimes you need to slow down in order to speed up.
Blue skies!

You ever think about going to college? You said you have 5 years before you are 23, I would suggest taking a stab at college.

As someone is his mid 30s who wish he had his degree right now, go to college! Even better, get your CFI and instruct while in college. If you can do those two things together you will be head and shoulders above your peers once you graduate.

I never thought I'd enjoy being a CFI, but so far, it's been the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I've learned more than I even could have imagined I world, and that's only after I've given just 300hrs of dual, let alone the thousands that some folks on here have. Every flight is an adventure and every student presents a challenge that you both learn from in the end. I didn't think I'd enjoy it this much, but I'm having a blast helping my students reach their aviation goals and building time along the way. I'm averaging about 50-60hrs a month and it will pick up here in the summer.

If you have 5 years until you're 23, slow down! You're acting like you're in a race with no finish line. There will be jobs whenever you get there. Enjoy life, at least GET your CFI (that doesn't mean you have to put it to use), definitely go to college (if you don't think you can get anywhere now, try getting there without at least a 2yr Degree (preferably 4!) and take a deep breath!

Yes.

CFI ticket will open many doors. And some of the better instructing gigs pay better than regionals.

almost every instructor I know gets better than regional pay....

and he won't get into a regional with his times. there's no way he can be at 1000 by august

Not really if he has to pay for it with CFI money. Dollars to donuts I wish I'd never have done college and instead got an A&P through an apprenticeship while learning to fly. Then you have two marketable skills that can open further doors and page the way for better jobs while not leaving you elbows and aholes in debt

Lots of great advice from folks that have been there and done that. You're still young so Finish college and remember folks on the forum are here to help you.
Good Luck.