Quit at 15,000 hours?

LoadFactor2 · Post by **LoadFactor2** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:49 pm

Is there any point to work as an instructor after 15,000 hrs TT?

Ralliart · Post by **Ralliart** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:55 pm

Perhaps if all you were/are concerned with instructing, was/is total flight time and getting ATPL requirements signed off, you should have quit a long time ago.

I for one have been quite happy to continue flight instruction past that number in my logbook, and because of this things keep getting better and better as I continue to learn new things, go different places, and meet new people. Not to mention I get to fly a 206 for tours & charters, including a lot of fire patrol in the summer and flying out to gravel strips for fishing/hunting clients. Eventually I'll look to move onto something else besides flight instruction, but not because someone said it's hurtful to have X amount of instructional time, or because instructing is nothing but circuits.

Currently I'm working on publishing a ground school program online through the company which will be finacially rewarding for myself, I also hope to become a DFTE and eventually when I leave the company, I'll still most likely do freelance work in my spare time. If you make things happen for yourself, any part of the industry can be very worthwhile even after 15,000 hrs.

As long as your not struggling financially, work hard, give the customer honest service, and have something to look forward to for your own satisfaction, theres no reason why there should ever be a certain amount of flight time or calender years to stop what your doing, regardless what others may say.

Cheers

Switchfoot · Post by **Switchfoot** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 10:41 pm

Hey Ralliart, sounds as though we have almost identical jobs....cool. Where in B.C. are you based?

Instructing can become tiresome, but it does have it's moments and like Ralliart, I'll likely continue to freelance for a long time to come. You get to meet some fun people and you never know where that may lead.

hz2p · Post by **hz2p** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:18 am

If you want to fly, don't quit a flying job for a non-flying job.

Don't stop logging hours. 1500TT may seem like a lot to you, but it's pretty low time to others.

Worst case: you instruct for 4000 hours, then you get into the right seat of a King Air or moo-too for 500 hours, then another 500 hours in the left seat. At that point you're 5000TT with mpic turbine and no one really cares how you got there.

Also, quitting a flying job for a non-flying job means you're not around when things happen, which is who most people get hired - in the right place at the right time, knowing the right person.

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:51 pm

My question is, why did you get into flying if you do not want to fly???

mcrit · Post by **mcrit** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:28 pm

LF2: I've seen the students that you produce. You should have quit after 10 hrs of instructing

(Just f**kin' with ya)

testpilot · Post by **testpilot** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:18 pm

LF2 are you MJ from TAL?

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:58 pm

LF2,

Nice edit!

-istp

desksgo · Post by **desksgo** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:24 pm

his post said 15,000 hours. What exactly are we going for here?

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:07 pm

desksgo wrote:his post said 15,000 hours. What exactly are we going for here?

Actually, I think it was edited to say 15 000, and originally said 1500 hrs.

Pugster · Post by **Pugster** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:41 pm

I did my class 4 back in the day with a lady who had 14,000 hours. ALL INSTRUCTING ON SINGLES.

Anybody who did their instructor rating with her would undoubtedly agree...don't instruct for 14,000 hours. It does strange, strange things to people.

BTW, nice edit. Hopefully not a sign of the times

Pugster

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:01 pm

I think it depends on the person. If someone went into instructing, wanting, hoping to make a career out of instructing, like running a flight school, then they'd be an idea instructor at 14 000 for ab-initio instruction. But if someone got stuck there, and gave up looking for better jobs (that is what seemed better to them), then they'll be like the numerous crusty old instructors in the business.

Yoyoma · Post by **Yoyoma** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:48 pm

Wasn't Me · Post by **Wasn't Me** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:03 am

If you're not having fun stop doing it. I like teaching and see nothing wrong teaching flying as a life job. If it's just the flying time maybe selling shoes is a good alternative.

LoadFactor2 · Post by **LoadFactor2** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:50 pm

I did originally post it saying 1,500. Things have changed...I think I'll stick it out to 15,000 now.

Anyone else been seeing that cool freezing fog north of Newmarket the past few mornings?

joe to go · Post by **joe to go** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:39 pm

Hey Pugster, was the lady GD. If so, i agree

Pugster · Post by **Pugster** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:27 pm

Yup. Mayo and pancakes anybody??

Joe to Go - drop me a PM...I obviously know you...

Pugster

Ralliart · Post by **Ralliart** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:45 pm

I thought it was butter, not mayo?