Ramp or Instruct?

[Typhoon]

Just out of curiosity, what do most of you think the best (using it lightly) way for a low time pilot to entry the industry is with regard to ramping or instructing?

I know there are definitely pro's and con's for each, but was curious to see what others think.

Thanks

[rooster]

I believe those that want to become instructors, should do so because they like/love to teach and continue learning themselves, not because they are looking to pad the book with hours of circuits and flying to practice areas without having much to do with manipulating the aircraft.

It really annoys me when I see people getting instructor ratings just because they are looking to put ink in a logbook. Do it because you want to teach. Otherwise, don't do it. It makes for a poor quality instructor. How do I know? Because I went on a fam flight with a guy like that and he had no patience nor a care in the world. No names or clubs will be listed.

[Mig29]

Rooster is right on that! It would be a great disservice to students...it's not right. However, I would look into it as you may surprise yourself and may actually enjoy it. Ask yourself if you like helping/teaching others in general, or you like doing something by yourself....

Ramp is a good way to get on a plane if you work for a honest operator who is not going to take advantage of you by promising you a flying job in 6 months, just to tell you in a year it will be another 6 months. In that time frame you would be able to log well over 750hrs instructing. But again, do it if you truly think you would be willing to put 100% into it.

Good luck!

[Typhoon]

Thanks for the insight guys! I 100% agree with you both when it comes to instructing and making sure you actually are doing it because you want to and not to pad the log book.

I do genuinely like helping/teaching people, and feel that it would be a great way for myself to keep learning the many new things in aviation.

Is it realistic to get 750 hours in a year? I'm assuming that would be at a busy school; however, what would it be like at a smaller school?

Just for curiosity's sake, are there more instructor jobs out West? I'm in Southern Ontario and know that jobs are extremely hard to come by down here, but was wondering what the West is like.

[Slappy the Squirrel]

750 hours sounds a bit high, possible but probably not under most circumstances.

Remember it's not always the size of the school, but the student to instructor ratio sometimes too. I know of one school where the instructors were extraordinarily busy, even though it was a small flight school, simply because there weren't many instructors there. They also got to do lots of charters and sightseeing flights, while getting to know almost every person who walked through the door well.

[767]

Question: Ramp or instruct?

Answer: Instruct. Instruct with passion, otherwise don't do it. Student comes first, hours come second. If you can't instruct because you dont like to, try a different place/country for a pilot job. If that doesnt work, find another job that pays well. Save the money, spend it on renting a plane at your flight school and build time. If you're "passionate" of working on the ramp, then go for it.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Question: Ramp or instruct?

Answer: Instruct. Instruct with passion, otherwise don't do it. Student comes first, hours come second .

Absolutely: The industry already has too many instructors just putting in time at the expense of their students, don't be another one. Go work the dock, from the tone of your posts I don't think you have any real interest in instructing.

[Typhoon]

Thank you everybody for your opinion.

Question: Ramp or instruct?

Answer: Instruct. Instruct with passion, otherwise don't do it. Student comes first, hours come second .

Absolutely: The industry already has too many instructors just putting in time at the expense of their students, don't be another one. Go work the dock, from the tone of your posts I don't think you have any real interest in instructing.

BPF, I don't understand where you get that from. I was simply asking a question that would possibly start a discussion and provide a little advice. I don't think that comment was necessary as instructing is something I take seriously (even though I'm not an instructor right now) as I understand how important it is to provide quality education to those that sign up for it.

[Mig29]

My 750 number came in terms of the time you may end up spending working the ramp, as it never turns out to be just 6months but more like a year and a half.

BPF, I don't understand where you get that from. I was simply asking a question that would possibly start a discussion and provide a little advice. I don't think that comment was necessary as instructing is something I take seriously (even though I'm not an instructor right now) as I understand how important it is to provide quality education to those that sign up for it.

Don't worry about it, it's easy to misinterpret people's thoughts and opinions when we just type here and don't have a face to face convo. If you are seriously interested in instructing, talk to some people at your local flying club and get informed. You will ultimately make the decision that works the best for you.

Good luck

[Big Pistons Forever]

Thank you everybody for your opinion.

Question: Ramp or instruct?

Answer: Instruct. Instruct with passion, otherwise don't do it. Student comes first, hours come second .

Absolutely: The industry already has too many instructors just putting in time at the expense of their students, don't be another one. Go work the dock, from the tone of your posts I don't think you have any real interest in instructing.

BPF, I don't understand where you get that from. I was simply asking a question that would possibly start a discussion and provide a little advice. I don't think that comment was necessary as instructing is something I take seriously (even though I'm not an instructor right now) as I understand how important it is to provide quality education to those that sign up for it.

I can only react to what you post. Right after posting about how you want to "help" people you talk about getting "750" hours a year. So the way I read this is,
if you think you could get 750 hours you are would like to pursue instructing but presumably if it were some lesser value then you would be less interested.

I have no problem with people using instructing as a steeping stone to other jobs but what really bothers me is instructors who are only interested in logging time not being a good instructor. This is a real problem in the industry and I am really bothered by a significant number of instructors who are quite candid that they are just logging hours until a "real" job opens up.

Bottom line: Yes the industry has many issues with how it is structured and how many instructors are abused by their FTU's, but at the end of the day being a good instructor is a personal choice. You can choose to be the best instructor you can be, or refuse to take the job serously because it is just a stepping stone to better things......although I wonder just at what point someone would choose to give the job their best......when they join Air Canada ? (on second thought that might not be a good example ). I think you get the drift here.

I don't know you but frankly you are asking a question unanswerable on a anonymous web site. There is plenty of posts on instructing including a big sticky right at the top of the training forum. If after you have searched all the relevant posts you have a specific questions than I think you will find many very experienced posters, instructor and non instructors, willing to help. But post open ended questions that show little effort on your part to do any prior research. and you should not be surprised you will not get much of a positive reception.....