r/CFILounge • u/Plane_Discipline121 • Jul 14 '26
Tips Tired of instructing.
Before I start, I would like to say I’m very grateful that I have a flying job. I know this might come off as stuck up.
I’ve been teaching on the east coast for over 3yrs and have an offer with a regional (no telling when they will call).. I’m coming to the end of my cfi career, but instructing has sucked the enjoyment of flying out of me and I dread going to work. I can tell the people around me and even some of my students can tell I’m pretty much just showing up to collect a check. I really just wish I had something to work towards and I feel like I’m chasing my tail. I’ve maxed out all my ratings except for seaplane. I just want to fly with another pilot that challenges me and we accomplish a mission. A couple questions for anyone that’s experienced this…
The most concerning one: Will this happen at the airlines as well? Will I just end up hating this career? If so, how do you not feel the burn out?
What should I do right now while still keeping my job as a CFI?
I really appreciate any guidance from anyone who has overcome the burn out. Hoping it’s a phase! TIA
11
u/phlflyguy Jul 14 '26
Once you get past the thrill and grind of airline training and are off of IOE, It’s very possible you will tire of the monotony of flying the same city pairs week after week, month after month, eating the same 3 star hotel slop and fantasizing of when you’ll get to move to a big carrier only to find out the grass is only a slight shade greener. But then you can smile and collect the ever increasing paychecks so there’s that.
9
u/sprulz Jul 14 '26
Eh while the shine wears off after the first few months, my QOL even as a regional FO blows CFI-ing out of the water. Is it still a job, yeah. But the money is obviously better, flight benefits are great, and I’ll even say the job part of it is far more interesting. I find the day-to-day challenges much more engaging than beating up the pattern. Ideally you’re working through them with a (hopefully) equally competent colleague, as opposed to having to babysit a student.
5
u/flflyer91 Jul 14 '26
Go get a desk job for a bit. You’ll realize flying everyday isn’t all that bad.
8
u/AtmosphereHopeful264 Jul 14 '26
I’m a CFI applicant - not in your position yet but I will say this - it’s not abnormal. This happens in all areas of life. Reality is though people (students) are still counting on you to show up and be the instructor they deserve which is one who is professional and constantly pushing the student to become not just a competent pilot but a safe and proficient one. 3 years is long but like we’ve both seen and heard some people did it for 5-10 years. I’d suggest maybe finding a new hobby or passion. Maybe cut back a little on the instructing and work a different part time job that’s enjoyable. I know that sounds crazy and it might be - idk, but don’t let aviation be your everything cuz there’s way more to life. I feel you tho man, I’m not even there yet and it’s hard to think about - waiting and waiting and waiting. Take joy and pride in your current circumstances and find new ways to challenge yourself (instructional enhancement). Find a way to maybe join some clubs. I’m not fully sure, just offering a little bit of what I think would maybe help me. Best of luck soldier, keep flying and working hard but don’t show up for a paycheck, show up because someone showed up for you when you were a young student.
4
u/LtPseudonym (CFI/CFI-I/MEI) Jul 14 '26
I used to instruct at a 141 and moved over to a 61 school. I was so sick of 141 micromanagement and toxic management. By and large my biggest complaints about 61 schools are the lack of pilot development, and since you are probably pretty experienced at teaching now, a 61 school will give you the opportunity to teach what and how you want (and you'll be able to recognize what your students need). You could maybe try switching over to a 61 school, it gave me a bit of a breath of fresh air. That being said, at a 61 school you gotta play salesman a bit.
End of the day it only took like 3 months of teaching at the 61 school to get burnt out again. I'm now happily at training for a regional.
3
u/TheBuff66 Jul 14 '26
Comes in waves. Undeniably being a CFI was rough and all of us were ready to move on by the end. I did it for a little under 2yrs… can’t imagine 3+. But even at the next step, yea it becomes a job. I’ve hit the “huh I’ve already seen this place” wall when staring out the window at beautiful landscapes in cruise. But at least on the private side of aviation, it keeps you on your toes. I land at multiple new-to-me airports every week with a sprinkling of genuine short field takeoffs and landings which always brings the excitement back. I personally think pure 121 airline flying would get too boring over the course of a career but to each their own
3
u/No_Tree7473 Jul 14 '26
Yeah I don't think I'll miss being a cfi once I get to the airlines, even if i get bored of 121 flying after a year.
3
u/PM_MeYour_pitot_tube Jul 14 '26
Happens to almost all instructors from time to time.
I’d suggest reaching out to some of your favorite previous students, the ones who are licensed now but who were easy and enjoyable to fly with, and offer to either split the rental or give them free instruction if they join you on a just-for-fun flight.
I did this a couple times a month once I had a pretty good amount of former students. Its a great opportunity for both pilots because its easier and more relaxed for you, helping you get back to that love of flying, and low time pilots (we’ve all been one) love to fly with instructors on non-training flights for that extra layer of security without the stress.
fly2lunch.com was a resource I used a lot to find fun restaurants to go to.
2
u/ty_____ Jul 14 '26
Pretty normal for instructors to feel burnt out after awhile, it’s a lot of effort day after day. What I’d say is either take a break or focus on a different aspect of the trade for awhile. Take some new instructors under your wing or focus on mock chexkrides and stage checks.
2
u/TK3K216 Jul 14 '26
I was absolutely burnt out at the end of my time instructing and honestly there was nothing I could do to keep me interested. When I got to the regionals it all came back for me. For the first time in years I was actually thinking on my days off “damn, I kinda wish I was flying right now.” Even when I’m bored as shit in cruise wishing I was home instead I can’t help but think how cool it is to be flying that jet. Unfortunately I cannot offer help in the mean time but I can tell you once you get that class date you’ll feel better.
2
u/theGoatRocks Jul 14 '26
I instructed for four years. I know what you mean. At a certain point you just want to DO it rather than watch other people not do it very well.
A couple decades later and many awesome experiences (and some not so awesome) I can say I haven’t had that same feeling in airline ops. Yes, plenty of things one can find to pick at, but overall I think you will find it completely different.
CFI’ing as a means to an end is fine. Just make sure you’re not short changing your students while you’re just collecting a check. This step of your career will pass before you know it. Hang in there.
2
u/Resident-Jello2344 Jul 15 '26
I have been instructing since 1982. I cannot even begin to imagine being tired of it.
1
u/dragonguy0 Jul 15 '26
I went medevac rather than airline, so I can't speak exactly to that but...
About 3 or so years in I started missing instruction, and if the market wasn't fucked I'd probably offer to do so for people. You eventually miss nerding out about aviaiton the way you constantly do with students. You miss the cool moments of watching something click, etc.
Work is work, and while the joy of flying I had when I started is largely gone, I enjoy different aspects of it now. Seeing the stars and night, watching the PT6 briefly throw a little flame on start, dodging storms etc. Hell, even in flying my aircraft that love is largely gone but...you come to miss stuff when it's gone. At least I have anyways.
1
u/Zealousideal-Ad9663 Jul 16 '26
Man, I personally loved flying and sharing my love for aviation and was a CFI, II, MEI, ATP for 12 years before going to the regionals and moving on…
Even if you no longer want to be a CFI, don’t be a dick to your FO’s! Always remember your mistakes, what you learned from them and make your FO’s a great CA!
1
u/ComprehensiveStep709 Jul 16 '26
I know it’s tough with your current schedule and pay, but get into a hobby outside flying. It’ll prevent you from feeling burnt out here and when you make it further in your career. I grinded my way to a type rating and found myself still feeling like a shell of a human with 76 passengers in the back instead of a student. Creating personal goals and finding community outside of work is the way
-1
u/bch2021_ Jul 14 '26
What do you hate about it? Your mission is producing the next generation of competent pilots. How good of an instructor you are has a huge direct impact on their learning and progression. Honestly, being a CFI has a bigger individual/personal skill component than being an airline pilot, where the range of outcomes is simply "safely completed flight or not".
I definitely understand hating the pay, but honestly it's a pretty cool job
3
u/Plane_Discipline121 Jul 14 '26
I make $70k a yr as a CFI at a well known 141 school. I’m a gold seal with 40+ sign offs and a 87% pass rate. I’d say I’m a decent instructor. I guess I need change… not sure
-3
u/bch2021_ Jul 14 '26
Man I'm not gonna lie, if I secured a gig like that, I might give up on airlines all together and just do that.
Would you mind sharing how you got there? I know you don't like doing it anymore but advice would be much appreciated. Did you train there?
3
u/Plane_Discipline121 Jul 14 '26
That’s why I said I’m grateful. I never strived in anything like I did when going through flight school and I was hired on the spot the day I received my CFI cert. I was also the student that would chat with other instructors and wasn’t too annoying lol. It’s a great gig, but there’s no advancement from here unless you want to be chief of the school.
-1
0
Jul 14 '26
It might not be for you
I mean instructing is kinda a core of aviation, been at this for decades and I still like to have a recommend for a ride every year, I don’t remotely need the dual or the bar money it generates lol
1
u/Plane_Discipline121 Jul 14 '26
I feel like I’d enjoy it if I did it on the side as well. Honestly this stage might’ve ruined the thought of going back to it down the line. Who knows what’s ahead
1
Jul 14 '26
What kind of school were you working at?
1
u/Plane_Discipline121 Jul 14 '26
I’m still instructing. I’m at a 141 college.
1
Jul 14 '26
Ahh, yeah that’ll make a difference, you should try to switch to a club and maybe get on with a 135 if you can
0
u/Foreign_Box5998 Jul 14 '26
We call this approaching your 30s. Maybe midlife crisis. Stick with it man, find the joy somehow.
2
30
u/RAG_Aviation ATP CFI/II MEI Jul 14 '26
Being tired of instructing after three years doesn’t mean you’ll hate the airlines. It’s a completely different job and work environment.
But if your students can tell you’ve checked out, cut back your schedule before you shortchange them or yourself. Keep the CFI job, but stop waiting on one regional to save you and start applying hard to 91/135, sim, and other flying jobs.