captainalan

I'm just finishing my CFI school and looking to move to Denver, CO at the end of January. I've been looking around here, other forums and websites for jobs that a low hour (220TT/120ME) new CFI with experience in 172s and Seminoles is even qualified for much less competitive enough to land the job.

Some websites and threads I have read suggested things like traffic watch, taking up parachute jumpers, and banner tows however I've never flown a 182 or a tail wheel. I don't care so much as what puts me in the cockpit as long as I'm getting a few hours a week and can buy some ramen at the end of the day to live off. Other than using the money I have left to get out there and visit flight schools in person does anyone have any suggestions?

rickair7777

Keep in mind that DEN is weather-limited for GA depending on the season...snow, ice, CB, windshear. Your income and time building will be reduced due to periods of no-fly conditions.

celticpilot

I am not from Denver and don't know the job possibilities out there. However, you are going to be very limited on what you can do. Mostly because of insurance requirements. I would suggest getting your CFII and MEI and then trying to find a teaching job some place.. anyplace really to start.

Things are slowly getting better, but it is still going to be some time for the full swing back to better times. You have good multi time for your eventual move up the ladder, but you need to build up to at least the 1000 hour mark, if not alot more. Pretty soon it is going to be ATP multi for entry into the world of 121. With the 500 actual cross country being the tough one to plow through as an instructor. We just don't do that much.

Good luck to you. And yep go somewhere that you can go year round, yet you can also get actual instrument time. Hard here in the Phx area.

captainalan

Thank you for the response, I should have been more specific in my post however, by "finishing my CFI school" I mean I will have CFI, CFII, and MEI. Despite that sounds like I'm S.O.L. for the Denver area though.

Side note: I'm training in So Cal out of Long Beach and the So Cal coastline is perfect for great weather everyday past 11 AM but actual just about everyday before 10AM. Was actually flying in and out of IWA a week ago and got some actual too =).

captainalan

Thanks again for the replies, I see a bunch of posts almost exactly like mine that get 30+ replies, not sure why my post went under the radar but I can try to apply some of the advice to low hour new instructors in other states to Denver

NoyGonnaDoIt

Your biggest issue in the Denver area is that most of the flight schools tend hire from within unless you're really exceptional. Their CFIs often start there as student pilots and are ultimately brought on as instructors. They have already shown a commitment (and spent money) with the organization and are already trained in the schools procedures and methods.

There are a few smaller organizations where you can get in - but that would strictly be on an independent contractor basis - you develop your own student base, carry your own insurance; the "school" does nothing more than provide the airplanes with appropriate inspections and maintenance.

I'm not completely sure what rick means about being weather-limited though. For instrument training, the biggest limitation is that flyable IMC is limited as IMC in the Denver area does tend toward ice or CB. And late spring-summer afternoons tend toward CB and wind shear. But otherwise, it's hard to call 300+ VFR days a year "limiting" for GA.

FR8DOGG

I would check out McAir at BJC. It was a good school when I worked there. I would also check out Specialty Flight Training in Boulder as well. Lonnie is a great guy and a helluva instructor. Aspen down at APA and there are numerous others.

I instructed out of BJC and 48V for two years in the late 90's. Yeah, there may be weather days, but unless you live in PHX there is going to be weather at some point. Lots of airports in the DEN area and along the front range and lots of opportunites if your willing to bust your tail. I had a ball teaching there and earned a bunch of hours.

Google schools in the area, and then when you get there, dress up, grab a bunch of resumes and go knocking on doors and start pressing palms. Ask to see the chief CFI and hand him/her your resume in person, ask for a tour or a time to come back and chat.

After you have seen the schools you like, go back every couple of weeks just to say hello and show your face, and keep expressing interest in the job.

Maybe consider getting a side job at an FBO as a line guy or coffee shop as a little insurance until you can get a roster of students. I went to school full time and taught the rest and was able to pay the bills.
Good luck!!

zondaracer

Journey´s Aviation at BJC is one of those. I did some training there, nice planes and facility. Nice people working there.

threeighteen

Welcome to Denver!

Like the others have said, the flight schools here usually like to pick from their own, unless you're truly exceptional (several hundred hours of instruction at the minimum)

However, if you're looking for experience, sourcing your own students might be a good idea.

I'll be looking for an instructor here sometime soon once I dive into things and get started.