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Who enjoys being a ‘career’ , ”permanent’ flight instructor and do you love what you do?

Asked by: 4893 views Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Light Sport Aircraft

I would like to hear from other permanent career flight instructors on how much do you enjoy what you do and does it give you the satisfaction as  a professional aviator?  I am a 45 year old flight instructor without a flight instructor job in Ontario, Canada and it is frustrating for me to see that I can't find employment in a field that I love.  I love to teach, but it is frustrating that so far no one will give me a chance to do what I want to do on a permanent basis and not just a stepping stone.  I always thought that flight schools would love to have a guy like me that wants to be there permanently.

 

Any stories would be great.

thanks

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2 Answers



  1. n on Dec 16, 2011

    I don’t know if I would consider myself a permanent anything in aviation, however I really enjoy teaching folks how to fly. As for the career aspect, most of the other flying that I do is seasonal, thus in the off season CFIing is a great way to spend ones time.

    From reading your post, I don’t understand how you can’t get a job! Are you willing to relocate? One thing about this gig is no matter where I go I seem to be able to get a job really easily.

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  2. Earl Kessler on Dec 17, 2011

    My favorite thing in aviation is flight instructing. Due to constraints in the economy in one of the hardest hit states in the nation, I have accepted a job as a paid pilot for a private organization that owns a 10 passenger plane. In addition, I broker airplanes for sellers from time to time. These activities help support me in my favorite endeavor, flight instruction. Unfortunately, I don’t see flight instructing as a way to make a steady income without augmenting it with other income producing activities. You might consider either moving to a larger area that has more population that will support you in your chosen field, or branching out in other aviation related activities, such as ground instruction, airplane maintenance, detailing, or airplane management, all items that can be done when the weather doesn’t dictate or attract students. It will keep you around aviation and afford opportunities to teach that you might not otherwise realize if you have to take a non-aviation related opportunity.

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