Instructor Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How much does a flying instructor make on average? As somebody who wants to become a professional pilot and take a job as a full time flying instructor, I'm wondering how much a flying instructor makes? The training after all is very expensive and I'd need any position to pay enough to make sure I have a return on my investment! Thanks for the info so far... I have to admit that the whole reason for wanting a job as an instructor is that I love the smaller, slower aircraft and actually seeing the scenery! I want ot be able to share that with others by instructing them. Flying a giant taxi service from A-B as an airline pilot is not my ultimate goal. I guess I need to think about this very hard!

Answer: I was an Instructor at a small Part 141 school in Florida for nearly 6 years, from Jan 1999 to Aug 2005the last 2 as Assistant Chief Instructor. There was no basic salary, flight pay was $18/hr, ground school $15/hr. I also did some flying for the Forestry Service and US Fish & Widlife - with all that taken into consideration, if I made $200/week it was a good week! (Additional paperwork/student costs introduced since 9/11 hurt a lot and drastically reduced our student numbers from Europe). If the weather was bad, or students weren't available it wasn't unknown to make either nothing or maybe $50 a week - and that was being available 7 days a week and evenings for night flights - ie I couldn't take another job to help out! It's NOT a job to take on for a living, most Instructors are either building time for a better paying job, or retired military/airline pilots who just want to keep flying but live on their pension. Some of the big flight acadamies offer good packages, although you will probably need a degree (God knows why, but that's what they want!) but they can sometimes be "Pilot Factories" and although you'll earn much more, you may not get the satisfaction of one-on-one training with a student who becomes a personnal friend. Having said that, you'll learn more from Instructing than you will from all your other training combined, and the satisfaction of helping someone acheive a lifelong dream definately make it a very rewarding job!

Question: As a flight instructor, what are some ideas to get potential flight students? As a flight instructor I don't have a lot of cash to spend so I need cheap ideas. I should add this info. I am a Gold Seal CFI so I am not new to this. I used to instruct years ago as a full-time CFI at a flight school. Back in the day I had to turn down students because my schedule was full. I left instructing for other piloting jobs but left flying to pursue other interests. I am getting back into flying because I love to fly not make a pretty penny. Today the costs of fuel is outrageous so rental fees are up. I won't absorb that cost so sorry to say I won't offer my services for less than a fresh ink CFI.

Answer: Print some "flyers", post them on all the bulletin boards that you pass ( some will need permission) Hold a ground school at your local Community College Volunteer as a CFI at FAA's WINGS weekend (contact your FSDO) Join the local Chapter of the EAA, become involved in the YOUNG Eagles Program (http://www.youngeagles.org/) Visit a CAP meeting, become involved. Leave a business card with EVERYone you interact with. Become a "hanger rat", get to know the pilots on the field, offer you services for BFR's IPC's Advanced ratings.etc. (Disclaimer: I've only recently became a CFI and am only passing on advice given to me. ) I plan on NOT doing any primary training, Just endorsement rides and advanced ratings. Good luck!!!

Question: Where can I find a driving instructor in southern california? I am trying to find out if there is a good driving instructor in california, glendale. Glendale is next to la. How can i find a driving instructor that charges 30 dollors an hour or less? I am talking about the 6 hour class with a driving teacher. I found dmv charges 50 an hour but that too much. How i find one that charges 30 or less an hour?

Answer: Yahoo! yellowbook! of course you silly goose

Question: What is the salary of an outward bound instructor and lead instructor? I am considering a career change and was wondering what the salary of an outward bound instructor and lead instructor is.

Answer: I suggest you browse their employment page. They actually have a variety of jobs available in addition to instructor jobs. Hard and fun work I imagine. Good luck

Question: Is it worth becoming a Flying Instructor? I have begun to question this. I think the training to become a flight instructor is way harder than the initial commercial pilot training. I know my job prospects are slim for low time pilots if I don't do this rating. Should I just abandon the instructor rating and go for a full command instrument rating and hope someone will employ me out in the sticks somewhere? Do you have an edge over your fellow pilots when you go to an airline interview and one person has done instructing and the other has never done it?

Answer: YES!!! Consider the old adage: you learn 50% of what you read, 50% of what you hear, and 100% of what you teach to someone else. The training is difficult but the rewards are great. Keep in mind that in the airlines, many times a more experienced person in the cockpit is with a less experienced pilot, just like the instructor-student dynamic of flight instructing. Also, flight instructors are proficient in many things that help them in simulator training. They have simply been throught the drill more- NDB approaches, localizer out, dead engines and a full gamut of experience. All the best to you... Tailwinds Ken

Question: How do you become a martial arts instructor? I'm a karate student and in years to come i might want to become an instructor. Do you need any official qualifications or can anyone just start up a dojo? I'm already an instructor of another kind, own a school and have great business skills so that side's no problem. I know i could ask my sensei but i dont want to seem disrespectful like im trying to start up a school in competition. I'd like the views of people who've done it so i get a balanced opinion.

Answer: Well you should become at least a third degree blackbelt or quite possibly a fourth degree (because 4th degree blackbelts are often referred to as a "master" as a general rule to most Martial Arts disciplines but not all of them will have that same ideal) under your instructor first before considering becoming an full time instructor. second, you may want to spend a few more years (perhaps another 5 yrs after recieving the "Master" rank) teaching the class for the instructor to get more experience behind you. also, you'll want to make sure that you can have a good teaching basis for children, since that will be your main source of clients. and you'll want to make as many connections within your discipline's governing organization's that deal with the school or may deal with YOUR school in the future. and of course you'll need your instructor's consent just as a matter of respect to your instructor. check this website for other info that may be helpful for you, they are usually well connected for Martial Arts as a business for bettering the quality of the schools that're out there: www.napma.com

Question: How much does a drill instructor make in the marines? I'm curious to know about how much a year someone would make in the marines as a Drill Instructor.

Answer: His pay-grade decides, not his job. An E-5 makes the same as any E-5 in any branch

Question: How much on average does a personal fitness instructor make an hour? I was thinking about becoming a personal 1 on 1 fitness instructor that teaches private classes. How much does a private fitness instructor make an hour?

Answer: http://www.starting-a-personal-training-business.com/average-personal-trainer-salary.html if by personal fitness instructor you mean like personal trainer than that site could probably help u. alot say like $75 an hr $40 half hr that ain't bad plus you'd be fit urself win-win deal 2 me lolz

Question: Difference between a private flight instructor and an aviation school? You can obtain and complete the same requirements both ways right? So, why should I bother enrolling in a school if I can obtain the same accreditation with a private instructor? Is there a large price difference? Or do people generally start with a private instructor, obtain their recreational level, then move to a school?

Answer: Well, by "aviation school" you could mean two things: aviation academies (universities or dedicated academies) or the local flight school at your local airport. Both get you the same rating, but each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The local flight school is probably going to be cheaper and in some cases you may get a more personalized service. You are also more likely to get a veteran flight instructor that is doing it for the love of teaching people to fly. The biggest disadvantages of the local flight school are that you are much more likely to be flying older aircraft (which isn't necessarily a problem, but some see it as one) and your flight instructors may well be part time, thus making it more difficult for you to get flights in. The biggest advantages of the flight academies (please note that just because someone puts "Academy" in their flight school name does not make them so. There is a local, somewhat shady flight school nearby that calls themselves an academy, yet are not... it's just for PR) are firstly a decreased minimum required hours of training (note though that just because it's a minimum doesn't mean you'll be done at the minimum). Also, you are more likely to have newer if not new aircraft. Also, there is generally a more structured training (this could be good or bad, depending on whether you learn the same way as the "standard" person they're training to). Lastly, you are more likely to find full-time instructors who will be there whenever you need them to be. The biggest disadvantages of the flight academies are firstly the cost. They will generally cost you quite a bit more than the local flight school would. Also, you are more likely to find the "hour builder" instructors. These are the guys who just finished up getting their instructor's rating (possibly from the same academy) and are just building hours to make it to the airlines. While this doesn't necessarily make them a bad instructor, it does introduce the possibility that you will get a new instructor which also doesn't make him/her a bad instructor, but possibly a bit "green". The other disadvantage of the hour-builder is that he or she may well just disappear as soon as that job flying for the region airlines is offered. (Note, this could happen at the local flight school too, but it has been my experience that there is a higher concentration of such people at the flight academy since they, by virtue of what they do, have more "career" pilots.) You also mention a private instructor, which I would interpret to mean "freelance". The freelance instructor could be anything from a grizzled old veteran to a green, fresh CFI. A freelance CFI may or may not have an aircraft for you to rent to train in. Assuming he does, there are also questions of insurance and liability. Does the instructor carry insurance? For the plane too? Are you covered? What happens if there is a wreck? Someone or something on the ground is hurt or damaged? Who is responsible? If you hire an instructor and pay him directly, he has become your subcontractor. You therefore would be responsible for anything that happens on the flight, despite the fact that the instructor is on board. In fact, even if the instructor screws up, it's your fault. (and I mean this from the legal standpoint, not the FAA standpoint.) I would be careful to look into insurance and liability if going with the freelance instructor. On the subject of liability, even at a flight school, you have to watch for insurance and liability structure. The same somewhat shady flight school I mentioned has all students pay the instructor directly. What that means is that the instructors are actually freelance and that student is actually responsible, despite the fact that most thing the instructors are employees of the flight school and that they are protected. Similarly, when a student and instructor rent the airplanes from the school, they are simply "two club members up flying" so far as the school is concerned. Plus the school doesn't carry any insurance on the planes, the renter must carry the insurance ("You wreck-um, you buy-um".. and trust me, the owner WILL sue you for the cost of the plane.) So, the moral of this is that I wouldn't even consider a school that doesn't carry their own insurance on their instructors and I would be hesitant if they don't carry insurance on the planes. And, even if they DO carry insurance on the planes, be sure to also carry renters insurance. Even if the school has insurance on the planes, chances are the insurance is just to cover them (aka, they get their money for the wreck) there is nothing that says the insurance company can't and won't go after you if they think you're at fault. (and they will, they're evil like that). So, I've said a lot. I hope this has been informative. I've tried to keep it as neutral as possible despite having a personal bias. (Clearly I'm a "local flight school" type of guy and I could rant for a while on what I see as the problem with some of the flight academies, but that wasn't the question really.) Edit: One last thing, don't get a recreational pilot certificate. Just get the private, it's worth the few extra hours to just get a "real" pilot's certificate. :) Another thing I forgot to mention about flight academies is that many have relationships with some of the airlines that improve the likelihood of at least getting an interview with the airlines if you complete your training at the flight academy. Doesn't mean you can't get into the airlines via the local flight school, but some of the academies have connections to at least get your foot in the door.

Question: How to become a percussion instructor? Qualifications aside, what are the best steps to becoming a percussion instructor for a high school? Do I just send in a resume and then meet the director, meet the director first, something else?

Answer: you're right.

Question: How much do you make as a dance instructor? I am an experienced dance instructor/choreographer but I feel I am not being paid what I should. What is the average pay for an experienced dance instructor (8+ years)? I live in the Tampa Bay area. I do have a degree in dance and have received numerous awards for my choreography.

Answer: I can't say specifically for that area of the country. I will give you some "ball park" figures based on my personal experience. Beginning teachers usually start around $10 an hour for teaching classes. Most experienced teachers that I know who have 10 + yrs of teaching will be paid around $20 - $25 an hour. Between 5 and 10 yrs, I would expect $15 an hour. And I will say I know a few outstanding teachers who can bring $40-$50 per hour. Now with that said....many studios will want you to begin at a conservative salary and then raise your salary based on performance. Basically you need to prove yourself for a better pay. As a studio owner I ask for new teachers to start at a lower salary and then re-evaluate after 6 months and after 12 months. I have no problem raising it if they prove to be a talented teacher. As far as being paid for choreography, that can be trickier. It should depend on what pieces you have choreographed, if those pieces have won awards at competitions or not, or if they were showcased with a significant company or something similar. For choreography you can give a set price and then add hourly on top of it or you can say "I will teach a 6 or 8 week session teaching the entire routine and this is my fee" Hope that helps you out.

Question: Can you find a driving instructor who teaches in an automatic car? Can you find a driving instructor who teaches in an automatic car? I called AA, but they told me the vast majority of their instructors only drive manual cars. So they urged me to reconsider my option. Is it that difficult to find an automatic-car instructor?

Answer: You've found one, the AA have said they do but want you to reconsider. (they said vast majority, not all) All the major driving schools offer an automatic option, the yellow pages also list many automatic driving schools.

Question: can i work as a flight instructor with my commercial pilot license ? If i got my commercial pilot license can i work as a flight instructor with it ? so that i can build up my time ?

Answer: (ii) For a balloon —(A) Give flight and ground training in a balloon for the issuance of a certificate or rating; 2) Commercial pilots with lighter-than-air category ratings. A person with a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category rating may— (i) For an airship —(A) Give flight and ground training in an airship for the issuance of a certificate or rating; § 61.133 Commercial pilot privileges and limitations. top (a) Privileges —(1) General. A person who holds a commercial pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft— (i) Carrying persons or property for compensation or hire, provided the person is qualified in accordance with this part and with the applicable parts of this chapter that apply to the operation; and (ii) For compensation or hire, provided the person is qualified in accordance with this part and with the applicable parts of this chapter that apply to the operation. (2) Commercial pilots with lighter-than-air category ratings. A person with a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category rating may— (i) For an airship —(A) Give flight and ground training in an airship for the issuance of a certificate or rating; (B) Give an endorsement for a pilot certificate with an airship rating; (C) Endorse a student pilot certificate or logbook for solo operating privileges in an airship; (D) Act as pilot in command of an airship under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimum prescribed for VFR flight; and (E) Give flight and ground training and endorsements that are required for a flight review, an operating privilege or recency-of-experience requirements of this part. (ii) For a balloon —(A) Give flight and ground training in a balloon for the issuance of a certificate or rating; (B) Give an endorsement for a pilot certificate with a balloon rating; (C) Endorse a student pilot certificate or logbook for solo operating privileges in a balloon; and (D) Give ground and flight training and endorsements that are required for a flight review, an operating privilege, or recency-of-experience requirements of this part. (b) Limitations. (1) A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category or powered-lift category rating and does not hold an instrument rating in the same category and class will be issued a commercial pilot certificate that contains the limitation, “The carriage of passengers for hire in (airplanes) (powered-lifts) on cross-country flights in excess of 50 nautical miles or at night is prohibited.� The limitation may be removed when the person satisfactorily accomplishes the requirements listed in §61.65 of this part for an instrument rating in the same category and class of aircraft listed on the person's commercial pilot certificate. (2) If a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating takes a practical test in a balloon with an airborne heater— (i) The pilot certificate will contain a limitation restricting the exercise of the privileges of that certificate to a balloon with an airborne heater. (ii) The limitation specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section may be removed when the person obtains the required aeronautical experience in a gas balloon and receives a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who attests to the person's accomplishment of the required aeronautical experience and ability to satisfactorily operate a gas balloon. (3) If a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating takes a practical test in a gas balloon— (i) The pilot certificate will contain a limitation restricting the exercise of the privileges of that certificate to a gas balloon. (ii) The limitation specified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section may be removed when the person obtains the required aeronautical experience in a balloon with an airborne heater and receives a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who attests to the person's accomplishment of the required aeronautical experience and ability to satisfactorily operate a balloon with an airborne heater.

Question: How do I become a flight instructor? Can someone give me some links on this? It has always been my dream to fly and I think I want to be a flight instructor on the side of my main career. Do you have to have a degree or can I just get the cert? I already have a degree (unrelated to aviation) and don't really want to go back to full fledged college.

Answer: No degree is required to become a flight instructor. All you have to do is earn all your ratings, then get your CFI(instructor), CFII (instrument instructor) and MEI (multi-engine instructor). Most people use flight instruction as a stepping stone to bigger and better opportunities, however you can certainly make a career out of it. Flight instructors typically don't earn very much money for several reasons: flight training is usually seasonal, you can be more or less "on call" 12 hours a day for most of the week, and not make any money if the weather is bad, students cancel their flights, or the aircraft is down for maintenance. When I was going through flight training, my instructors would always complain about working 60 hours and making only $300. There is no steady or reliable income for a flight instructor, unless you commit yourself to a quality school and work your way up to a salary position.

Question: How much can approximately a flight instructor make a year in Florida? As an entry level flight instructor position, what would the salary be a year in Florida? Is there a significant demand for such job? How about for giving intruction to fly ultra light planes? Thank you very much beforehand for your time and attention!

Answer: Hey. try visiting this site. It gives you an average amount flight instructors would get payed in your area a year, and how much you could get payed bi-weekly (every 2 weeks), and the bonuses, and benefits you could get, all around your area. its pretty useful for an idea of how much youd make with that job where you live. click KEYWORDS, and type in Flight Instructor, then choose the area you live in, if your area isnt listed, you can put in your zip code. http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_newsearch.asp?hdSearchByOption=1&hdLocationOption=0 hope this helped.

Question: What qualifications do i need to become a riding instructor? i am 17 and im starting college soon to study a horse care course, but i would like to become a riding instructor in the further, does anyone know what qualifications i would need? As i am not great at spelling and this lends to a lacking in confidence's because i know there is theory involved and also learning parts of the horse ect ect!. I was just wondering with the right help and continue in educations i would be able to one day become a riding instructor.

Answer: Hey! It all depends on what you want to teach? do you want to teach dressage Equitation Hunter Jumpers Jumpers Eventing or other. email me which one u want 2 do and i can tell u wat u need 2 do, my email is - peaceonearth.maya@gmail.com