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Looking at obtaining my CFI in New Jersey


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Hello all, I am new to the forums. I am looking at obtaining my CFI back home in NJ and was wondering if anyone on here as used any of the flight schools in that state. (also open to ones in Philadelphia area as well) Were your experiences good/bad? As an Army Aviator is it worth getting my CFI through the civilian side, or waiting until I track IP and get it that way?

 

I also do not know if there are specific things I should look for when picking a school. Just trying to get the ball rolling so any tips/advice would be helpful. Thank you.

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If I was you, just make sure you can find a school that has Part 141 (which means the VA will pay for it), but ALSO flies R22s/R44s. There are a good amount of schools that have Part 141 certification, but for whatever reason they fly Schweizers. But 95% of the schools that are hiring will not be flying that airframe. This means you will probably have to look outside of NJ.

 

Take it from me, I flew at a part 141 school in NJ (you can figure out which one) and used up a lot of VA funding for my CFI. But most schools want you to have 100 hours in the airframe to realistically work for them. So I had a CFI ticket, but was essentially un-hirable. So then I had to go to a different school, fly for 50 Hours in a R22, and then do my CFII in a R44. Finally, I will be able to send my resume without getting a cold shoulder.

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If I was you, just make sure you can find a school that has Part 141 (which means the VA will pay for it), but ALSO flies R22s/R44s. There are a good amount of schools that have Part 141 certification, but for whatever reason they fly Schweizers. But 95% of the schools that are hiring will not be flying that airframe. This means you will probably have to look outside of NJ.

 

Take it from me, I flew at a part 141 school in NJ (you can figure out which one) and used up a lot of VA funding for my CFI. But most schools want you to have 100 hours in the airframe to realistically work for them. So I had a CFI ticket, but was essentially un-hirable. So then I had to go to a different school, fly for 50 Hours in a R22, and then do my CFII in a R44. Finally, I will be able to send my resume without getting a cold shoulder.

 

So what you are really trying to say is that you hated not being able to pump your own gas or make left turns?

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If I was you, just make sure you can find a school that has Part 141 (which means the VA will pay for it), but ALSO flies R22s/R44s. There are a good amount of schools that have Part 141 certification, but for whatever reason they fly Schweizers. But 95% of the schools that are hiring will not be flying that airframe. This means you will probably have to look outside of NJ.

 

Take it from me, I flew at a part 141 school in NJ (you can figure out which one) and used up a lot of VA funding for my CFI. But most schools want you to have 100 hours in the airframe to realistically work for them. So I had a CFI ticket, but was essentially un-hirable. So then I had to go to a different school, fly for 50 Hours in a R22, and then do my CFII in a R44. Finally, I will be able to send my resume without getting a cold shoulder.

If you're still looking there's a new ad on the job page for a Schweitzer cfi?
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  • 2 weeks later...

You didn't indicate your experience level or the ratings you currently hold; but if you have a Commercial rating and are currently flying, you should be able to obtain a CFI rating in 10 or so hours of flight time plus appropriate study time for the written and Oral part of the checkride. If you aren't actively flying, obviously the number will be higher. We've done several CFI's with no prior experience in Enstroms in 10 - 20 hours.

 

If you don't yet have a Commercial rating; it's a whole differrent ball of wax and can be a bit complex - check the FARs for details.

 

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