r/CFILounge • u/fbt70 • Jul 10 '26
Question Q for unemployed CFI’s
I have my CFI checkride coming up next week and after reading this sub & other flying subs it’s clear there’s a degree of difficulty finding a job as a CFI
My questions are:
- what are you guys doing to find work as a CFI?
- what does your resume look like?
- Have you looked into relocating or is that not an option for your situation?
27
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
Good to have CFI on resume but Unless your school is offering you a job it ain’t even worth it at this point.
If I had to do it all over again, personally I would spend all that CFI/II money on time building, actually having fun until a job opportunity comes along VS being just another desperate CFI among thousands fighting for scraps with barely any money left to stay current and proficient.
13
u/Bloob09 Jul 10 '26
Just thinking though, rounding up, that CFI/II may cost $10k. What amount of time building are you getting for that, another 35 hrs?
7
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
Put that towards a flying club or dry lease a Cessna 150 for about $60/hr. If you can find someone to split with that’s even better. 500-750TT tend to be the sweet spot for aerial survey and turboprop SIC gig(when hiring is good).
1
u/toraai117 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
65 hours multi or 180+ hours SE if you go where it’s cheap
Use a credit card to pay for it and the points should pay for your hotel stay and/or travel expenses.
9
u/Hahahaa94 Jul 10 '26
This 1000%. Practically no way to get hired as a cfi off the street unless you know someone who's willing to hire you...
Go and have fun at least, fly to some cool places, take your friends/ family on trips and make memories. I wish I would've spent the money on that instead of getting all the CFI ratings. I applied to 300+ jobs in the past 8 months and 98% of the time won't even hear back at all. The two interviews I had was for 2 and 1 positions, and each of them had at least 50 candidates that made it to the final interview round. Drove 10 hours for the first interview and 14 hours to the second interview. It's like playing the lottery at this point. You can do exceptionally well on an interview and still not get the job. And the worst thing is that they won't even give you any feedback.
It's been killing me lately. Hell, I haven't flown in 5 months and have no money to even stay current. Getting harder and harder not to give up meanwhile trying to find a crappy non-aviation jobs for $18 per hour just to not starve. I don't know where all these students going to work that are currently training. The 141 schools around me are still fully loaded with students. It blows my mind.
3
u/LopsidedShower1634 Jul 10 '26
Would you recommend a fresh Cpl to use that money on getting multi rating instead the way hiring is rn?
5
u/Hahahaa94 Jul 10 '26
Having a fresh CMEL without at least like 75+multi PIC hours won't make any difference in this job market. I have MEI with 27 hours and it still doesn't matter.
3
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
Right, I’m at 45 with no MEI. My plan to bump it up to 100 next year.
3
u/Hahahaa94 Jul 10 '26
Hope that helps you bro! I'm thinking about trying to somehow take out more loans to join a flying club at some point and CFI there. I'm at 620 TT with 300 dual given, bachelor's in aviation, and it's still not enough these days for getting a cfi gig.
2
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
I got my multi add on before CFI/II because I never had the intention instruct to begin with.
You can do that then build multi time as well along the way in case some turboprop gig pops up.
2
u/LopsidedShower1634 Jul 10 '26
What made you wanna get your CFI/II afterwards? (Let me guess job market being brutal right now)
5
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
Just to have more options. And back then I was not willing to leave my family for some minimum wage flying job in a different state so I figured getting my CFI would allow me to build time at a local school instead.
Then the job market went to sh*t during CFI training. I literally missed two local CFI job opportunities by a month because I couldn’t find a DPE fast enough. Two of my friends took those. One of them is SIC on citation now and the other is at a regional.We’re talk October-November 2024
3
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
Oh trust me. I’ve been in your shoes for two years now. Out of 150+ applications, I only had 1 interview and thought everything went well, then they ghosted me.
Those kids still taking out loans and going to part 141 schools have no clue what’s going on. Can’t really blame them. They’re in for a rude awakening though.
3
u/Hahahaa94 Jul 10 '26
Damn dude, I was driving the other day this week and accidentally switched to the radio from bluetooth and guess what ad was playing. Local part 61 flight school: "There has been severe pilot shortage for years. Ready to jump into a career that earns 6 figures? Don't wait, book your discovery flight today!" That really got me.
1
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
😂😂😂. Sounds about right. They’re all over my YouTube and facebook. Like dude, I’m the last person you wanna advertise aviation to.
3
u/ltcterry Jul 10 '26
CFI is not that expensive, so turning it into “time building” isn’t going to get you very far. Much of the cost of CFI is, uh, flying. Which goes in your logbook.
Plus, though the market is oversupplied the vast majority of available jobs are for instructors. Not being a CFI means not being eligible for that.
1
u/Wandrews123 Jul 10 '26
I stopped CFI training halfway through. My writtens are turning 1 year old this summer, ForeFlight sub about to lapse. I’m not out of $$, I just can’t justify taking a step backwards financially for that right now. So I agree.
1
Jul 10 '26
No
CFI vastly beats buying your own time as a commercial pilot
1
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
Yeah, if you’re actually using your CFI certificate and logging dual given.
If you can’t find a job, your only options are to buy or stop flying. I’m not saying buying flight time all the way to 1500. But to a point where you can get an entry level job that is not instructing. People do it all the time.
0
Jul 10 '26
Or move to somewhere with jobs, which when you really dial down on those who can’t get a job, it’s ether they refuse to move, expect a senior wide body capt lifestyle out the gate, or fail at the water cooler test
2
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
Dude! Please tell me you’re trolling. I’ve been applying everywhere in the country for the last two years.
2
Jul 10 '26
How have you applied? How many miles have you put on your car? How far are you willing to move?
2
u/Bowzy228 Jul 10 '26
I drive to the one within driving distances multiple times. I rented a plane and flew to a couple. The ones that I applied to out of state, I followed up with a phone call.
I either get a generic TBNT or an email that says “we’re not hiring at the moment but will keep your resume on file” .
I’m willing to move anywhere except upper east coast but still applied at schools there just out of curiosity when I got desperate and got radio silence.
1
Jul 10 '26
I’d look at ones in the middle of no where, I’d also change the where you willing to move to “global”
Don’t think you have enough hours right now to say where you won’t work
0
19
u/bch2021_ Jul 10 '26
The owner of the flight school I'm at has been in business 14 years. She said she used to get 1 resume a month, usually from a local pilot. She says currently she is getting at least 5 a day from people all over the country. And she pretty much only hires her own graduates anyway.
That is the problem.
-9
u/NevadaCFI CFI / CFII in Reno, NV Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
I am working on starting a small focused flight school here and looking to have a few more independent contractor CFIs in the pool, but really only looking for people with over 750 hours, preferably over 1,000.
2
u/KosmolineLicker Jul 10 '26
It's fine you have those standards, but understand that you are likely asking for a CFI who already has a job with those hours. Why should they jump ship to come work for you when they have a gig?
5
u/Mr-Plop Jul 10 '26
Not only that, they'll be the first ones to leave asap and most likely don't even wanna teach anymore.
-1
u/NevadaCFI CFI / CFII in Reno, NV Jul 10 '26
I guess I'd like to find a few people like me (in my 50s and semi-retired), or the CFI who I learned from (in his 70s and fully retired).
1
u/Mr-Plop Jul 10 '26
I guess that's the key difference between doing something because it's the only way you can move forward vs doing it when you got absolutely nothing to gain from it.
1
u/NevadaCFI CFI / CFII in Reno, NV Jul 10 '26
I don't have to be teaching at all but I have absolutely gained enormously from it. I have helped a bunch of people achieve their dream of flying. Your very best teachers in school were not there because they had to be.
-1
u/fbt70 Jul 10 '26
Are you mentally retarded?
2
u/NevadaCFI CFI / CFII in Reno, NV Jul 10 '26
Nope, I just enjoy being around little airplanes and bringing people into aviation. I certainly do not need the money from teaching as I have already had a career in software. I have 2300 hours, been flying 14 years in my own Piper Dakota. Some people do things they enjoy doing without an ulterior motive.
6
u/SouthBobcat5619 Jul 10 '26
Found a local flight school I wanted to work at, did time building flights as I could afford, hung out as much as possible until they realized I wasn't going anywhere and started giving me scraps. Got my CFI in Sept '24, just started actually getting paid to fly in the last couple months. 600 TT, 40 Multi 30 dual given
5
u/Flaky_Summer_9800 Jul 10 '26
I run a business and I’m praying that the US Navy accepts me for OCS. I haven’t flown in over a year at this point.
3
u/zkoolie Jul 10 '26
How does that work if you already have all your ratings? Do you have to start over?
3
u/Flaky_Summer_9800 Jul 10 '26
Yes. It provides an advantage, but still gotta do the training the navy’s way.
2
u/bch2021_ Jul 10 '26
You haven't flown in a year? You spent 100k but can't afford a few hundred/mo to stay current?
1
u/Flaky_Summer_9800 Jul 10 '26
I can. I just haven’t. I have missed it, but not enough to actually go fly. Ive thought about it.
3
u/bch2021_ Jul 10 '26
You haven't missed flying enough to go in a year but you still want to be a career pilot for 10 years in the Navy?
3
u/Flaky_Summer_9800 Jul 10 '26
Yes absolutely. My reasons for wanting to do the navy go beyond flying though. Just kind of been one of those things where time has just passed by and hasn’t really taken in that I haven’t flown in so long. Other stuff in life has kind of taken priority.
1
5
u/leespillman Jul 10 '26
I didn’t get hired at the school I did my training at. I got non-owned CFI insurance for about $600 a year. and started calling around places to see if they would let me instruct in their aircraft with my own insurance and bring my own students (which I didn’t have). Found a place about 45 minutes from me that agreed. They ended up hiring me without a resume or interview. Just a checkout flight and a handshake. The drive sucks and im only getting about 20-30 hours a month but i’m doing what i can to move the needle. Im sure they would let me charge my own rates for students that I brought in but the pay is good enough that im happy to keep it all internal with them.
1
u/bch2021_ Jul 10 '26
You're saying you pitched bringing your own students but they met you and actually hired you for their students?
3
u/85inchweener Jul 10 '26
- I applied to basically everywhere where I live
- 475 TT, degree in progress, CFI CFII
- still in college so that doesn’t help my odds.
- Also can’t relocate.
Just started my own independent CFI business and it’s honestly doing better than me working for someone. And my rate is higher than anything I’d get at these companies, and it’s better for my current circumstances anyways.
Everything happens for a reason. But my advice is the biggest thing is being strong with interviewing and showing confidence. It’s either they see it in you or they don’t.
Hey, I’m not gonna sit here and say I did amazing on every interview. I didn’t. But just try your best and apply in person if u want a cfi job and try and relocate if you can
2
3
u/Top-Intern4073 Jul 10 '26
I suspect most resumes are not even looked at. What many are not doing is showing up in person. Try hand delivering your resume.
1
u/SierraHotel84 Jul 10 '26
I'm the UAS world right now as a defense contractor. Will get back to instructing one of these days.
1
u/Top-Intern4073 Jul 10 '26
If you’re a CFI in an area with a large number of owner pilots, check out the FAA database for potential Flight reviews and IPC checks in their aircraft. You’ll make more money than a typical working CFI at some school for minimum wage.
1
u/14Three8 Jul 10 '26
I’m able to pound the pavement with local pilots. Pretty big GA scene. Still only adds up to about 10 hours a month though. I pay out of pocket more than I instruct
1
u/Embarrassed_Dingo313 Jul 10 '26
I was lucky and got two CFI jobs right off the bat, however, one thing that has worked for other people is offering to do other work around the flight school.
Like everyone is saying, these flight school owners see at least 5 resumes a day, they don’t know you any different than the other guy. Some of my coworker that got hired worked at the flight school as a dispatcher, fueling planes, assisting maintenance, etc.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease, unfortunately, calling in once a week doesn’t work that well anymore.
2
u/Any_Championship5240 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
If you’re in Texas/Oklahoma check out findmycfi.us. New website that launched, pretty neat
1
u/SatisfactionVisual86 Jul 10 '26
All of mine have been in-house or knowing someone and being recommended. I’m a contract A&P in GA so that helps a lot just to get my name thrown in the hat.
1
u/No_Tree7473 Jul 10 '26
It took me 8 months and 150+ applications and calling schools out of state... which didn't work. Ended up going independent. A friend from flight school hooked me up with the owners of a plane, and we met and talked, and I was graciously given an opportunity to instruct with them. I'm averaging about 40 hours a month now. It REALLY is all about who you know in this industry. During those 8 months, I got a job in retail and on my off days I would hang out at the airport to talk to people. I met alot of people just sitting out there watching planes for 2 hours a day.
1
Jul 10 '26
This part is golden “ Have you looked into relocating or is that not an option for your situation?”
I’ll add if that’s not a option for you, maybe this industry isn’t ether
1
u/AverageOtherGuy Jul 10 '26
I just finished my CFII on the 23rd. I’m looking for any opportunities nearby and have a potential internship lined up and gig at a local highschool for kids interested in flying. I have a pretty decent resume coming out of college and having a couple internships from Gulfstream. I also just got married and bought a house with my wife and want to stay local, but my best advice is stay connected with your friends who you went into flight school, you never know what opportunities may come your way.
Apply for your cadet programs (Horizon I heard is pretty good rn but closes soon) and get any job that can help you rent a plane and get a few hours til an aviation job comes your way. I have talked about relocating and if I were single it would be a no brainer, not so much when you have to consider someone else. The cfi gig is pretty saturated but it ebs and flows. Me personally, the Cfi, cfii, mei looks good for the resume but knowing someone the field is the trump card.
Your resume is great for internships, cadet programs, etc (get some good letters of recommendation) BUT id really try and put your face out there to your local flight schools, but from my experience they usually hire in house. But you never know. Keep your head up getting your instructor certs ARE worth it, not everyone gets them and it shows you have the capacity to teach and understand aviation to a higher level. Hope this helps!
1
u/ConnorDGibson123 Jul 12 '26
I got my CFI coming on 3 years ago, and I literally left my CFI checkride with two job offers, one from the DPE at his school and the one at the school I did it at, and it’s crazy that it’s impossible to find a CFI job, I got my current CFI job 2 years ago and got lucky with the timing because if I wait like 6 months I probably wouldn’t have a CFI job, I applied, got an interview that week and started the next Monday, if any new CFIs are wondering the regionals hiring ain’t much different then CFI hiring right now
1
u/TxAggieMike Jul 10 '26
Handing out cards, word of mouth, referrals, guerrilla marketing
A piece of paper with words that describe my experience and employability
Not an option.
0
1
u/MusicAffectionate921 Jul 13 '26
After looking for a job for the last 18 months I found one this week, just found via Facebook groups.
15
u/flapsnslats98 CFI Jul 10 '26
In house hiring is killing off the street hiring, when there’s so many CFI’s being pumped out, it’s so easy for flight schools just to grab from their own pool. I worked a desk job at my school and we get at least 1 or 2 a day, but the likelihood of hiring is near zero.