Instructor or MIFR/SIFR

Tango01 · Post by **Tango01** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:49 am

So I guess this has been asked a lot. What's the best way to get a job these days?

If I went instructor, it wouldn't be for the wrong reasons. I would be very dedicated to my students, not just a stepping stone. In fact, I always hoped to retire early and come back as an instructor (the way it should be)

On the other hand, even a Group 3 IR with a CPL can probably get me a PC-12 right seat (which I would enjoy too)

Either way, its a learning experience, but what would YOU recommend?

Thanks

T01

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:20 am

How many hours do you have?

If you're 250 hours, it's probably easier to get a job as a class 4
instructor.

If you've got 500 to 1000 hours, get the MIFR and see if you can
get right seat with Doc

Tango01 · Post by **Tango01** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:06 am

I should finish my CPL in April or so. My question was for the "next step" to take. It's taken too long to get this far, lost jobs, lost time, no money,health problems, stress out the roof, working 2 and 3 jobs at times. I should have quit after my PPL.

Seems like I took the wrong turn every f&^%ing time!

C-GGGQ · Post by **C-GGGQ** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:09 am

Fresh out of school even with an IFR I suspect you'll be hard pressed to find right seat on anything (i know I am) By the time your done your CPL it will be spring/ summer and schools will be picking up again so my vote would be get your instructor rating (actually my vote is get both, but if you can't afford both then you have to choose)

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:55 am

here's a thought, get your float rating, swamp/fly floats for a season, collect poggey at end of season, get poggy to pay for multi IFR. get IFR job after Multi IFR.
Assuming your ready before spring.

angry inch · Post by **angry inch** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:13 am

I'd have to say instruct. You mentioned that you thought it would be a good gig...
It's been my experience lately that everywhere you turn, FTU's are short on instructors.

The only downside is that you have to shell out some extra bucks & time to get the rating; however, you will more than likely have to spend it on either a float, instructor, or IFR rating to increase your chances of getting a job. There are some opportunities out there if you only have the basic CPL though.. Skydive, fire patrol, etc.

Back to Instructing. Although the pay is probably not what it should be, I think supply & demand is slowly changing that. Depending on where you go, it can be year-round employment too. Also, if you're working at a school that does multi stuff, you can work on that when time & money permit.

I think that route is a good way for a new pilot to get into the industry & stay in, all the while building experience, gaining contacts, & GETTING A PAYCHEQUE...

Just one opinion

Naveed · Post by **Naveed** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:40 am

I faced the same question and went for instructing and glad I did, not only do I enjoy instructing, I was amazed how little I knew before doing the instructor rating and feel I'm a better pilot for it. Also a paycheck and school discounts on the Multi make getting the MIFR much easier

pilatus4life · Post by **pilatus4life** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:16 pm

find a place where you can do your multi ifr quick and get out with a resume, dont be afraid to work the ramp but talk to the other rampies and see how long the wait is dont go anywhere where you will be on the ground more than a year or six month!!

there are a few choice places to go depending on where you live, buffalo in yk would be the best northwright wait is 3-6 month last i heard

in alberta i know of guys flying right away with sunwest i believe part time while throwing bags and they are an awesome outfit

in sask courtesy will put you right seat real soon less than 6 months with the best progression in the industry

in man FNT transport will put you on a c-46 or dc3 in 3-6 months

in ont nac is a good bet in less than a year but beware stay away from wasaya

anyways save the money you would spend on the instructor rating because by the time you had it done you would have moved off the ramp with a real outfit dont be afraid to spend that money on a road trip i think if you drove up to courtesy in sask with a res in hand youd have a job and fly in 3 months thats what id do.

Krashman · Post by **Krashman** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:13 pm

here's a thought, get your float rating, swamp/fly floats for a season, collect poggey at end of season, get poggy to pay for multi IFR. get IFR job after Multi IFR.
Assuming your ready before spring.

Exactly!! I did it all at once and didn't use my IFR for quite a while... then when I did start doing some MIFR instructing I had two guys come with the unemployment office picking up the tab... really smart way to do it...

'With and MIFR I'll be more likely to get full-time employment year round'

That all they need to hear... plus take advantage of the system...lots of other people do. People with less drive. I'd rather support a pilot that has drive with my tax dollars