Hi all,

Just looking for some information from a variety of instructors out there on what to expect for the amounts of hours I can accumulate (yearly) at different flight schools/geographic locations. I'm currently training for my instructor rating in the lower mainland (BC), and at this point, intend to work for my FTU when finished (assuming that the job is offered). However, as a back up plan, I'm curious as to what else it out there.

I'm not very fond of the weather in the lower mainland as I've battled it throughout all my training. I've heard that ~400-500 hours is generally the max for instructing in the lower mainland. I've been looking at Calgary as a suitable place for instructing as the weather is substantially better. Money is not a big factor as I realize it sucks where ever you are, so I would like to be as efficient as possible by flying as much as possible. I really look forward to instructing and am sure I will really enjoy it while it lasts, but career progression is also important and would like to move on quickly if possible.

I see my options as: 1) stay put and work for my current FTU where I am comfortable/familiar with operations, stay close to friends and family, and sacrifice hours, (should mention many instructors move on to the 1900 after leaving my FTU @ Pasco & CMA) or 2) move to somewhere like Calgary and hopefully take advantage of better weather and move on quicker. I realize there are more factors than just weather that play into how many hours an instructor can get over a year, but any insight would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Do you enjoy instructing? or is it a means to an end? I really hope it's the former, and if that's the case don't worry about hours per year, if you are making enough to live and enjoy where you live stay there. If it's the latter... well good luck....

E

I think I'll enjoy it, but I don't know if it's something I could do for more than a couple years. For the mean time, I'm looking forward to teaching and am putting in a lot of effort to be the best instructor I can be. I'm not doubting if I'm in it for the right reasons, I'm just trying to research my options now so I can make a decision that makes the most sense to me.

I instructed on the east coast for a year. I only logged about 400 hrs in that year. There were plenty of students and I never took a day off when it was flyable, it just turned out to be the worst year wx wise in a long time. One of the guys I instructed with did 900 the year before and about the same as me his second year. It's hard to give an answer to your question as the wx, students, a/c availability can change so much from year to year.

The can of worms has been opened.

My advice would be to stay put -- you may not realize it, but by having trained and gotten to know the people at your current location, you've already started to make an impression (hopefully good). Down the road when it would be more appropriate to start worrying about your career after instructing, the bonds you've already made there might be the ones that help you most.

I've seen lots of guys struggle, and a lot of it seems to stem from looking too far ahead and losing sight of what they should be doing in the present. I've also seen people move around too much in pursuit of perceived opportunity they end up having a tough time building up a network of friends and colleagues.

Just chill out, enjoy the instructing time, and focus on being the best instructor you can be. Watch over your students, and make sure they don't get into any trouble while they're learning. Be a safe and conscientious pilot, instructor, and employee. Don't worry about the hours and making that next step, worry about doing a good job, and treat it seriously -- not as a stepping stone: It will pay dividends when it comes time to move on, and will be key to helping you enjoy the experience!

tl;dr: Don't fixate on hours. It sounds like you've got an instructing job lined up where you belong. You'll be fine.

^Appreciate the advice, can't help but agree with it.

I tend to think about the future a lot and like to plan ahead as best as possible, but I think the best thing I can do now is to do the best job I can teaching students, no matter where that is. I feel like I got excellent training from my instructors and I just want to be able to do the same for my future students.

I enjoyed instructing ... I log close to 60 hours a month and have sure learned a lot. I know that instructing will not be my life but everyday I put 110% into my students, I would personally feel bad and want to leave knowing I at least put something into their training. On the other hand I do sometimes fall into a "lull" when completing consistently the same PGI and lesson to 3-4 students but none the less its enjoying and I am sure when I finish other things I will come back to teach.

oxi

Oxi wrote:everyday I put 110% into my students

Lucky students