Certified Flight Instructor | CFI

“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

– Leonardo DaVinci

There are many different ways to use your skills as a pilot. Some pilots leverage the job’s flexibility to further their interests by becoming instructors. In contrast, others follow a more practical path, become professionals, and help others clear the practical pilot test. The most common idea of a career in flying is that of an Airline Pilot; however, many pilots, following their dreams and choosing instead to be flight instructors, decide also to obtain their instructor certificate.

We have listed ten reasons why becoming a flight instructor is worth it.

It can be a stepping stone to becoming a commercial airline pilot.

The most common reason people become flight instructors is to gain experience in flight, and if you want to gain experience, you must have some academy where you can take a practical test of your x-plane flight training. Working in this capacity can help pilots acquire the large number of flight hours needed to become commercial airline pilots, and they always want to search for certified flights. Commercial airlines require a lot of flight experience before even considering interviewing a pilot candidate. Many post-secondary students use their free time to build up their resumes while going to college.

You can start your flight school (once you get certified!).

As a flight instructor, there are several options for progress outside of working for an educational institution or opening up one’s own business. For those who enjoy independence and freedom in their careers and want perfect flight, this is an enticing choice of pursuit. It is almost your flight instructor’s instrument. You can also enhance your instrument pilot rating with this course. Please be advised that, like other flight instructors, you may have access to opportunities and resources that others might not be able to tap into because no one will know your profession better than you. With hope and skill, one’s business could become very successful.

You’ll experience how rewarding teaching is.

Any experienced teacher or instructor knows what it feels like to see a student learn something they’ve been trying to teach. And this is no different for instructors with flight students. Knowing what you know has helped others achieve something gives flight instructors an indescribable sense of satisfaction and fulfillment because your goal as a licensed instructor is to see your students soar! When you’re asked what they love most about their job, the first answer that flight instructors give is the thrill of passing on their knowledge and skills to students who will, in turn, be able to take their passion for flying to even greater heights.

Working as a flight instructor will make your heart race!

As a flight instructor, you are responsible for educating and training people on how to operate an aircraft safely. This is not meant to be an easy task. A lot goes into learning how to fly, from taking off and landing a flight to learning about weather patterns and instrumentation and airspace rules and regulations. As a flight instructor, you will find your days busy but also fun and social – all while gaining experience similar to being a pilot working towards your ratings.

Flight Instructor jobs are in demand.

Flight instructors are currently in great demand and are expected to stay that way for many years. This is due to legislation introduced by the US government about pilots needing to renew their licenses more often, and airlines have increased due to business aviation. One of these changes is expected to be a shortage of pilots which means that flight instructors are constantly being hired by airlines faster than they can be replaced.

Flight Instructors are highly respected, just like at flight school.

Some may treat you differently, but it’s good to be in a position where you are looked up to. The critical question here is: why become a flight instructor? To answer that, consider the excitement and respect that being one entails! Telling others you’re a flight instructor will bring on an engaging conversation, and people will want to know more about the career and potentially become an ATP.

Flight Instructors meet a lot of people.

As a flight instructor, it’s important to remember that you’re not just teaching someone how to fly. You are inspiring them to go out into the world in a way that most people never experience a flight before. You will meet both local and international students, and based on your teaching, they will become pilots themselves, or they may start another business venture associated with aviation.

Flight Instructors get a competitive salary. What can you do as a flight instructor refresher?

As with all businesses in today’s economy, aviation faces a lot of competition from new technologies and companies. Over the past few years, stability and compensation for full-time flight instructors have been relatively limited as flight instructor refresher. However, we’ve seen a shift this year. With the current shortage of certified flight instructors that can handle the increased number of requests for lessons and training across the country, pay for this position is rapidly rising. To survive in the industry, you must enhance your skills and complete your first flight instructor course. All you need to do is work appropriately as an instructor with adequate compensation and benefits of flight, and you will be pretty successful in this position.

Flight instructors are getting paid to fly with a commercial pilot license.

The most important and rewarding reason to become a flight instructor is you get the opportunity to have an occupation doing what you love – which in this case, is flying! Many people wouldn’t even pursue a pilot’s license if they didn’t love flying, so the fact that you can make a living by doing something that brings you so much joy is something not many people are lucky enough to have.