What next- Multi-IFR or Instructor rating??

Thair81 · Post by **Thair81** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:40 pm

Hi everyone.

I have been having a little trouble deciding what to do next. I am a Commercial student and am about 2/3 of the way done. Therefore I am starting to think about what I should do next- my Multi/IFR or my Flight Instructor ratings. Firstly, I have been debating whether or not to become a CFI. I would like to become a flight instructor, but my big concern is that having just learned myself, I worry about whether or not I am ready to teach others how to fly. I know a lot of pilots start off as instructors right after earning their CPL. Aren't these people nervous? Didn't they have the same questions running through their heads? And, how did they overcome them?

My other alternative is to continue on training and get my Multi/IFR and then do my Instructor rating after. I know having my Multi/IFR is very important later on for when I want to move up to other jobs and it is definitely something I want to do, it's just that I am unsure of when I should do it. Do it now or pick it up later after instructing for a while? My fear is I would certainly kick myself if that "great job" came along for me while I was instructing and I couldn't take it because I didn't have the right qualifications.

Am I making any sense here? Hope so. I really want to start working as a pilot, building hours and experience, but I don't want to screw myself now or later on. I am sure a lot of people have asked themselves similar questions when they were starting out. If anyone could offer some helpful advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:11 pm

Hi!
I suggest doing your Instructor Rating, then get your MIFR.

It is nervewracking when you start instructing, but the instructor course is very well laid out, trains you well, and if you have a good instructor, you will be well prepared for your first student. Most instructors start out doing familiarization flights for people off the street, which are a lot of fun and not so much pressure on you, but when you get your Class IV ticket, you'll be ready for any lesson - else you can't pass your ride! Plus, if you start instructing at the school where you did your rating, you'll be familiar with the school's procedures, and practice areas and all that, so that makes things a lot easier. You will also be assigned a supervising instructor, and your job is to make use of this person as much as possible - ask questions if you are unsure about anything!

The reason I say to do your instructor rating first is that you won't need your IFR right away with a fresh CPL... (unless you are REALLY lucky). Build some time instructing, and work on your IFR on your days off, or jump in the sim or hit the books on the bad weather days. Plus, getting your instructor rating, you'll start reversing the cash flow! Don't worry about the CFI thing... you'll have LOTS of time to decide if you want to do that!

Anyhow...
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you have more questions.

Thair81 · Post by **Thair81** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:59 pm

Thanks for the helpful input. You make some good points. It is useful to know that I won't need the Multi-IFR early on and I will still be able to work on it while building time and experience. Reversing the cash flow is a good thing too. Also, it is nice to see that I am not alone with these "pre-instructor" jitters.

Looking through my original message I wrote down CFI- I think that this was a typo of sorts. I meant I just want to be a regular instructor (Class IV), not a CFI. I have never thought about it much nor had it explained to me, but I am guessing that a CFI is Chief Flight Instructor??!! I guess I need some light shone on this for me.

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 6:54 pm

In Canada, "CFI" is Chief Flight Instructor.

In the US, "CFI" is Certified Flight Instructor, while "CFII" is another qualification that allows you to teach IFR. There is no separate certification for this in Canada, other than you need an Instrument Rating to teach IFR.

Thair81 · Post by **Thair81** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 7:13 pm

Oh...
Learn something new everyday! I guess that I have been reading too many American flight publications (Flying and Plane & Pilot). That is probably where I got mixed up!
Thanks for the heads up.

mcrit · Post by **mcrit** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 8:08 pm

Hi Thair,
I'm not sure if I'm reading your situation right. You said that you are 2/3 of the way through the CPL, which means that you have some time building to do. If this is the case that I'd suggest that you do the Multi & IFR before you finish the CPL. The time you spend on these ratings counts towards the total time needed for the CPL. In the short term this is a bit more expensive than touring around in a 150, but in the long run it saves you money in that you get to 'double count' the multi and IFR time, ie you get the CPL, MIFR in 200hrs versus 230 hrs.

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 8:09 pm

chipmunk wrote:Hi!
I suggest doing your Instructor Rating, then get your MIFR.

That's the way I did, and currently, doing it..... and yes as a fresh instructor you will make mistakes...No one is perfect. Hopefully they aren't anything major and you have a good staff around you that will forgive and guide you in efforts to turn out safe and skilled pilots....but unless you truely have an interest in teaching, get your MIFR and go up north and work the docks. It will save you and your students alot of aggrivation. Best of Luck.

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duplicate2 · Post by **duplicate2** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 1:58 am

Both routes have their financial benefits. As mcrit said, you can use the IFR as part of your 200h for CPL. Going the other way, once you are working as an instructor you can probably get a discount on planes and perhaps free instruction (depending on the school) for the IFR.

I find having an IFR while instructing is beneficial even though if you are only teaching VFR, gives you a different perspective and more knowledge to pass along to students, especially future CPL students.

Medium Pimpin · Post by **Medium Pimpin** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:38 am

I suggest getting the MIFR then forget about the instuctor route ... you'll just end up pennyless and insane spending all your time on avcanada. As well as you'll probably end up with some real experiences, other than circuit stories.

Idriveplane · Post by **Idriveplane** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:41 pm

I suggest getting the MIFR then forget about the instuctor route ... you'll just end up pennyless and insane spending all your time on avcanada. As well as you'll probably end up with some real experiences, other than circuit stories

I agree, go work the ramp or dock for a year or 2, honestly you'll be better off.

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:14 pm

It all depends on your experiences, where you go, and most importantly, the networking you do.

I instructed for 2 years, got my ATP, and now have a great job flying twin & single turbine aircraft in Canada, the US, and occasionally overseas... and have time to spend on avcanada on the bad weather days...

It's all about who you know.

Just do what you want to do.

Wild Cat · Post by **Wild Cat** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 10:15 am

Instructor rating only if your gonna do instructing, and maybe your multi rating if your chief allows you to do multi instruction. And Multi rating if your going to the bush.

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:17 pm

I have nothing against working the dock personally, but why sit on a dock for two years, then start flying when the guy who went the instructor route just wrote his ATP because he spent the last two years flying.

That said, I'd rather build a dock or go fishing than sit around on a nice day if I don't have any students.... and not everyone has the patients or ability to teach. If your honestly considering becoming an instructor, you have to do it because you want to... not just to build hours. If your not going to put your students interests first I suggest the dock / ramp route and enjoy the beers while you wait for a position to open up.

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desksgo · Post by **desksgo** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:19 pm

LostinRotation wrote: not everyone has the patients

I heard that's what they call them at that flight school Haza works at.

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:24 pm

LOL !

Sorry, I also work at a hospital...hence the error

*patience* was intended

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Thair81 · Post by **Thair81** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:19 pm

Haven't been on the forums for a while, but I appreciate all the opinions on offer. Good points to go either way. I guess it all boils down to me and what I want to do. Thanks to all for the input.

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:31 pm

Just ask yourself one question, If I get the MIFR, will I be able to find a job ?

If I get the instructor rating, will the school hire me ?

That should pretty much answer your own question.

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