chicago area cfi jobs
07-16-2009, 06:58 AM
#14
On Reserve
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 13
Chicago insights from a Chicago CFI
I currently instruct at one of the KDPA schools - I'm lucky to get 25 billable hours a month and I was hired December of 08 (I think I was only hired because I did all of my training through there). If you got picked up anywhere in the Chicagoland area, make sure you have a 2nd or 3rd job to pay the bills!
Had to respond to the comments about Palwaukee Flyers (or 1-800-I WILL FLY, Chicago Executive Flight School, or whatever name he's going by today). It is run by someone with the initials of JK well known as the biggest scheister in the area. I was actually once a student there who just couldn't "quite get ready for solo" a few odd years back - and had confirmed from one of their former instructors recently that they won't let students solo until they have SPENT $8000 (no, not just on account, but actually expended). The part about the "taxi lesson" is true - I paid for one not knowing any better (before chat boards like this were fully up). Oh, they also make you get your own insurance before you solo (this is a REALLY shady tactic and no other school I know of does this). This is not for the reason of a high-performance, retractable, G1000, etc high value aircraft but for a beat up C152! They feed off those who don't know any better; if that's what floats your boat, be my guest but be aware of the stink that may stick on you from working there...
That operation is NOT the same as Windy City Flyers at Palwaukee. Good people at Windy City but, as a student, I felt they made things just a little too difficult. In fairness, one of their managers put the bug in my ear to think about being a CFI. I think they're having the same problem finding students as well - they attempted to expand out to Schaumburg airport and I have gathered that has not gone well for them.
I've heard some good things about Skill Aviation at KUGN but they're a little far out (near the WI border). Beware of anything at KMDW - surrounding neighborhoods are like a crime-ridden demilitarized zone and remember that Chicago has a defacto handgun ban so forget about having a fighting chance if the brown-stuff hits the fan.
I'd agree that having a car in the Chicago area is a must.
I'm at one of the KDPA schools and we get resumes all the time...usually for them to go right in the trash. I quietly confirmed 2 other Chicago area flight schools are doing the same but I won't dime them out on the forums - one could conclude most are doing that and NOT "keeping them on file"; if CFI's suddenly become needed, they'll look for them or train them in house.
Yep, Chicago is pretty slim pickings for CFI positions. Give serious though to relocation if it's at all a possibility.
Had to respond to the comments about Palwaukee Flyers (or 1-800-I WILL FLY, Chicago Executive Flight School, or whatever name he's going by today). It is run by someone with the initials of JK well known as the biggest scheister in the area. I was actually once a student there who just couldn't "quite get ready for solo" a few odd years back - and had confirmed from one of their former instructors recently that they won't let students solo until they have SPENT $8000 (no, not just on account, but actually expended). The part about the "taxi lesson" is true - I paid for one not knowing any better (before chat boards like this were fully up). Oh, they also make you get your own insurance before you solo (this is a REALLY shady tactic and no other school I know of does this). This is not for the reason of a high-performance, retractable, G1000, etc high value aircraft but for a beat up C152! They feed off those who don't know any better; if that's what floats your boat, be my guest but be aware of the stink that may stick on you from working there...
That operation is NOT the same as Windy City Flyers at Palwaukee. Good people at Windy City but, as a student, I felt they made things just a little too difficult. In fairness, one of their managers put the bug in my ear to think about being a CFI. I think they're having the same problem finding students as well - they attempted to expand out to Schaumburg airport and I have gathered that has not gone well for them.
I've heard some good things about Skill Aviation at KUGN but they're a little far out (near the WI border). Beware of anything at KMDW - surrounding neighborhoods are like a crime-ridden demilitarized zone and remember that Chicago has a defacto handgun ban so forget about having a fighting chance if the brown-stuff hits the fan.
I'd agree that having a car in the Chicago area is a must.
I'm at one of the KDPA schools and we get resumes all the time...usually for them to go right in the trash. I quietly confirmed 2 other Chicago area flight schools are doing the same but I won't dime them out on the forums - one could conclude most are doing that and NOT "keeping them on file"; if CFI's suddenly become needed, they'll look for them or train them in house.
Yep, Chicago is pretty slim pickings for CFI positions. Give serious though to relocation if it's at all a possibility.
Last edited by Vampilot; 07-16-2009 at 08:27 AM.
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