Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
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Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
I've always asked that question myself but it's very difficult to see the future these days. If possible, I would like to have some opinions from my fellow aviators. In summary, I've finished my flight training last summer. Since then, I always question myself if going to a flight school and getting my instructor rating is worth it? Or is it better that I just work somewhere else, save some money and rent a plane and fly to keep my flying skills and wait till the market rises up. To be honest, I'm not in the greatest financial state right now but if getting a job as a new class 4 instructor is possible nowadays, I'll make the sacrifice. What do you guys think?
Re: Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
Do not do it...
Liberalism itself as a religion where its tenets cannot be proven, but provides a sense of moral rectitude at no real cost.
Re: Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
I recommend that you work somewhere else but continue your involvement in aviation.
It's very good that you are considering your present financial state. If you do your instructor rating, you will be spending/taking on debt to the order of approximately $10,000. During your period of training you'll have reduced earning potential as well because you will be busy with the training. If you are subsequently employed as an instructor, expect a rather dismal compensation package. The wage/salary is not spectacular and that is then coupled with an unknown future (next few years) demand for flight training. Those are some difficult odds for a $10,000 wager.
Keeping your flying skills and staying involved in aviation need not stop at renting a flight school airplane to take around the patch once a month. Get involved in a flying club or similar interest groups, volunteer organizations, etc. COPA, EAA, RAA, aerobatic clubs, etc. are all active groups with chapters across the country. You'll have the opportunity to meet all sorts of people who have been involved in every aspect of aviation whether it is recreationally or professionally. This sort of involvement is the launching pad of unknown potential... take the plunge and give it a shot.
Best of luck.
It's very good that you are considering your present financial state. If you do your instructor rating, you will be spending/taking on debt to the order of approximately $10,000. During your period of training you'll have reduced earning potential as well because you will be busy with the training. If you are subsequently employed as an instructor, expect a rather dismal compensation package. The wage/salary is not spectacular and that is then coupled with an unknown future (next few years) demand for flight training. Those are some difficult odds for a $10,000 wager.
Keeping your flying skills and staying involved in aviation need not stop at renting a flight school airplane to take around the patch once a month. Get involved in a flying club or similar interest groups, volunteer organizations, etc. COPA, EAA, RAA, aerobatic clubs, etc. are all active groups with chapters across the country. You'll have the opportunity to meet all sorts of people who have been involved in every aspect of aviation whether it is recreationally or professionally. This sort of involvement is the launching pad of unknown potential... take the plunge and give it a shot.
Best of luck.
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shawnthesheep
- Rank 2
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- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 9:08 am
- Location: YYC
Re: Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
For people saying it's not a good idea care to explain?
Re: Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
Scuderia summed it up nicely.shawnthesheep wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 1:26 am For people saying it's not a good idea care to explain?
Minimum $10 000 with no guarantee of a job.
If the OP finished his or her training last summer and is not flying now an instructor rating is simply throwing good money after bad.
Maybe pay for a 320 rating next to help your chances?
The fail safe position when there are no real jobs is always the instructor position.
Do you want to be an instructor? Doing it because you have to is a disservice to any student.
Liberalism itself as a religion where its tenets cannot be proven, but provides a sense of moral rectitude at no real cost.
Re: Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
I wonder whether spending $10,000 renting airplanes and getting a bunch of night hours might be a better spend. Although it will take a while to make the investment back doing a Class IV, there is usually work somewhere, even if it is just part time, and working as a professional pilot is always better than NOT working as a professional pilot. It is indeed a conundrum.
Re: Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
I'll give you my 0.02....
I was working for a 703 based in YYZ and surprise surprise our charters started slowing down like crazy. Having already completed 2/3rds of my FI rating in 2019 before I got offered the 703 job, I contemplated finishing it in case I got laid off. I went ahead and got it done in like 2 weeks in Oshawa. It was literally the same day I passed my class 4 that I was laid off from my BE20. So I moved back to my home in YEG and looked around for a week and got an instructor gig in Josephburg CFB6 of all places! Been there since September. No signs of returning to the BE20 anytime soon, but it definitely keeps my flying and puts hours in the book.
Yes you should get it. Yes there is no guarantee of a job, (I thought of this so much before I bit the bullet) but you have gotten all the way to your CPL and realized oh crap, this industry provides no guarantees...
I have a colleague who says this rating can make you "unemployproof" as there will always be a flight school somewhere needing an extra set of hands....Especially once you get your class 3 and can freelance.
If you are gonna spend money to fly, please don't go and rent a 172 and fly in straight lines and think 300 hours is going to set you apart in 2021. I think its much better to invest in yourself with this rating and work as a professional pilot... You will get your money back!
I was working for a 703 based in YYZ and surprise surprise our charters started slowing down like crazy. Having already completed 2/3rds of my FI rating in 2019 before I got offered the 703 job, I contemplated finishing it in case I got laid off. I went ahead and got it done in like 2 weeks in Oshawa. It was literally the same day I passed my class 4 that I was laid off from my BE20. So I moved back to my home in YEG and looked around for a week and got an instructor gig in Josephburg CFB6 of all places! Been there since September. No signs of returning to the BE20 anytime soon, but it definitely keeps my flying and puts hours in the book.
Yes you should get it. Yes there is no guarantee of a job, (I thought of this so much before I bit the bullet) but you have gotten all the way to your CPL and realized oh crap, this industry provides no guarantees...
I have a colleague who says this rating can make you "unemployproof" as there will always be a flight school somewhere needing an extra set of hands....Especially once you get your class 3 and can freelance.
If you are gonna spend money to fly, please don't go and rent a 172 and fly in straight lines and think 300 hours is going to set you apart in 2021. I think its much better to invest in yourself with this rating and work as a professional pilot... You will get your money back!
Never take criticism from someone you wouldn't go to for advice!
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Pilot Chris
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- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:27 pm
Re: Is becoming a flight instructor worth during this pandemic?
Struggling with this situation as well...
