Part Time v. Full Time Instructors
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Part Time v. Full Time Instructors
As the topic says, what are your thoughts about full time vs. part time instructors.
As an instructor do you prefer to only work at the school or would you rather have another job on the side (stupid to say because you probably do anyway) or would you rather work somewhere else and teach for full or fill in the day?
CFI's and Schools same question, we probably already know the answer, but would you rather have full time or an equal number of part time instructors?
And students, what is your take on this topic and why?
As an instructor do you prefer to only work at the school or would you rather have another job on the side (stupid to say because you probably do anyway) or would you rather work somewhere else and teach for full or fill in the day?
CFI's and Schools same question, we probably already know the answer, but would you rather have full time or an equal number of part time instructors?
And students, what is your take on this topic and why?
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As a Full-Time Instructor, for me, which is a personal choice, it goes a little something like this:I'd prefer the part-time flight instructor, because the full time one thinks he's 9-5 M-F. Which doesn't help me when I want my night rating or want to fly on weekends...
If i'm not booked off, it's free game!
So if that means that i work 12 hours in a day for 5 days straight, it's my choice to do so; and the only person to blame is the one in the mirror.
With that said, I don't have a "regular" day off like some of the 9-to-5ers that are out there.
To me the only day I should be off is when the weather is so brutal that the birds are walking, but then again, ground work or sim time can be done.
As a policy I try to take at least 4 days off in a 3 week period, and let my students know well ahead of time of the days i'm planning to take off.
"A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving." -Lao Tzu
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Thats a type of instructor that i would prefer to be with.Grey_Wolf wrote:As a Full-Time Instructor, for me, which is a personal choice, it goes a little something like this:I'd prefer the part-time flight instructor, because the full time one thinks he's 9-5 M-F. Which doesn't help me when I want my night rating or want to fly on weekends...
If i'm not booked off, it's free game!
So if that means that i work 12 hours in a day for 5 days straight, it's my choice to do so; and the only person to blame is the one in the mirror.
With that said, I don't have a "regular" day off like some of the 9-to-5ers that are out there.
To me the only day I should be off is when the weather is so brutal that the birds are walking, but then again, ground work or sim time can be done.
As a policy I try to take at least 4 days off in a 3 week period, and let my students know well ahead of time of the days i'm planning to take off.
Don't burn out. It won't help you or your students. Years ago, back when I was instructing full time, I remember we had a remarkable, perfect summer. I flew every day in July and August. Up early in the morning, and up late at night doing night ratings.the only day I should be off is when the weather is so brutal
I was fried. I didn't have time to eat. I remember once doing circuits, I kept falling asleep when we turned crosswind, I slept during the downwind and base, and tried to wake up for the final. In retrospect, the student must have thought it was pretty weird.
I know flight instructors are paid poverty wages, and when the wx is good and the customers are there, the temptation to fly too much can be powerful, but ... all work and no play makes jack a strange boy.
Hedley,
OK so I exaggerated a little ....
On a serious note; Burn out does happen, and one must realize when it's occuring. It comes in simple forms as not sleeping very well, not eating well, and getting caught up in the 'dreaded zombie mode' of day in day out. Others will also point out your condition if your unable to detect it.
Hence the 'IMSAFE' Checklist that we teach .... FATIGUE being one of them. How can we be lead by example, by teaching students, these bad habits, right?
OK so I exaggerated a little ....

On a serious note; Burn out does happen, and one must realize when it's occuring. It comes in simple forms as not sleeping very well, not eating well, and getting caught up in the 'dreaded zombie mode' of day in day out. Others will also point out your condition if your unable to detect it.
Hence the 'IMSAFE' Checklist that we teach .... FATIGUE being one of them. How can we be lead by example, by teaching students, these bad habits, right?
"A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving." -Lao Tzu
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Forgive me for my ignorance, but what does.....
Stand for....that's a new one to me.....is it something I have been doing and didn't realize it?'IMSAFE'
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
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Yup, the IMSAFE check is from the FAA:
FAA-H-8083-15 - Instrument Flying HandbookIMSAFE Checklist
The following checklist, IMSAFE, is intended for a pilot’s personal preflight use. A quick check of the items on this list can help the pilot make a good self-evaluation prior to any flight. If the answer to any of the checklist questions is yes, then the pilot should consider not flying.
Illness—Do I have any symptoms?
Medication—Have I been taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs?
Stress—Am I under psychological pressure from the job? Do I have money, health, or family problems?
Alcohol—Have I been drinking within 8 hours? Within 24 hours?
Fatigue—Am I tired and not adequately rested?
Eating—Have I eaten enough of the proper foods to keep adequately nourished during the entire flight?
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