Tips for recruiting student pilots

[rjl2001]

I'm hoping that in the near future I'll be working as a CFI. The job I'm hoping to get is with a smaller school, that is still new and in the growing stage. It sounds like as of now they don't have too many regular students, though they're starting to get more people walk-in and interested in intro flights, etc. Obviously, I would like to fly enough that I can pay the bills and afford a place to live, as well as help grow the school.

 

Do any of you have any tips or suggestions on things I could do to try and bring in more students to the school? I'm not going to go buy a billboard or something, I'll leave that to the owner who surely knows more about those things than I do. I'm just starting to think about ways I could help the school by doing something myself that might get people interested in learning to fly. Are there any books that cover the topic? From the brief Google-ing I've done I haven't come up with anything.

[Fred0311]

#1 Get a card. #2 Talk to people. Ive managed to line up a few just through conversation. People find helicopters fascinating so if you bring up being a pilot in conversation it usually starts with them asking "but don't they just fall out of the sky if the engine stops?" Then you can briefly explain autorotaion and whatever follow up questions they have and then throw out "Hey you know you could do an intro flight and even get to take the controls!" If you can start a conversation with just about anyone you meet you can get a couple intro flights. For full time students I'm still working on how to target those with means and motivation.

Edited May 10, 2014 by Fred0311

[Mikemv]

rjl2001,

 

Do not forget the TSA and SFAR requirements and records for both!

 

Prepare for that now.

 

Mike

[Hobie]

Sign spinner out front. Just kidding, sort of.

 

You are describing a classic marketing problem. You really need to sit down with the owner and discuss his and your goals. Let's go with you want full time students so you can advance your situation.

 

1. What is the competition doing? (Advertising, networking, clubs, etc.)

2. What can you offer that is different and better? ( more avail aircraft, your personality, etc)

3. What is the demographic of your potential customers?

4. Where do you find them? ( high school seniors?, junior college)

5. How do you attract them? (maybe a hanger tour, raffle for intro flights, etc)

6. But first, you need to qualify them. Do they have the money to actively pursue this dream. As mentioned, many people are intrigued with helos but don't have the $ to go further. Unless you want to give a bunch of intro/scenic flights.

 

Just a few things to think about to get you thinking. As with everything, passion, enthusiasm and positive attitude seems always to help.

Good Luck! And go for it!

[Astro]

You want more students get your school approved for VA funding. Offer a college program so wanabees can get student loans. Ally your school with a big name i.e. become the local branch of Bristow Academy.

[Azhigher]

Tell people there's a pilot shortage and guarantee them a job when they graduate. Or you could say your training is so good they won't need to fly tours before going to EMS or the gulf. Suckers fall for those lines all the time...

[Flying Pig]

Here's a tip.....Getting with a small school with not many students so you have the ability to generate your own clientele would be the LAST school you should think about working for.

 

But to each his own.....

Edited May 11, 2014 by Flying Pig

[rjl2001]

Fred, thanks for the advice. I ended up talking to the owner some more and that was more or less what they said.

 

Mikemv, yes sir. Looks like the school also deals with international students, so that's something else I need to look into more.

 

Hobe, good questions and something for me to consider.

 

Astro, I'll leave those higher level endeavors to the boss. Though I did ask if 141 certification was something they were planning, but apparently need to be in business for 24 months first, so that's still a ways off for them.

 

Azhigher, reminds me of a couple other recent topics on here. Unfortunately, I try to be very honest with everyone and also keep informed about the state of the helicopter industry.

 

Flying Pig, maybe wasn't the last school I thought about but after over a year of applying to everyone that owned a helicopter, I'm excited for any opportunity no matter how big/small. (edit: reread my post and I see where you got that impression)

Edited May 14, 2014 by rjl2001

[Flying Pig]

Understood. My impression was that this small school was the ONE you wanted to work for. But I agree.... Take whoever hires you. Better to have a job while looking for another one that's for see. At least you'll be started down the path

[Spike]

• Assuming you’re based at an airport (and include any other surrounding airports), find out if any local flying organizations or clubs are having meetings or events which may allow you to put on a brief presentation on the joy of learning to fly helicopters. At minimum, place flyers up on the always present pin board at the local FBO's…….

 

• Design a poster and display it on an easel while attending any “job fairs” which may occur in your area…..

 

• Hit up the local collages and put flyers up in the career centers or student lounges…….

 

• Make a video. Even with today’s smartphones and a little imagination, you can make a pretty good video to sell you, or the school……

 

• If your employer allows it, include helicopter rides as an avenue to generate business…..

Edited May 17, 2014 by Spike

[Little Red 22]

Work with your local chapter of the Ninety-Nines or Whirly Girls. We often have woman pilots who start out fixed wing and switch to helicopter, plus these students have scholarship opportunities and a support structure that gives them a higher success rate. These clubs are always looking for guest speakers which gives you a chance to advertise.

[Carpenter]

Inform prospective students that your organization hires all of their graduates.

Works every time to get students to sign the dotted line.

 

Oh yeah and I forgot, let them know about the pilot shortage due to all the Vietnam era baby boomers retiring. That line works all the time as well.

Edited May 19, 2014 by Carpenter

[Flying Pig]

If you use the schools helicopter, or incur any expenses in your recruiting drive, make sure you understand who is covering what costs. I know of a school first hand that had an excited, young new instructor who put together a display, and flew the helicopter to a local college for a recruiting drive with the permission of the owner, and then discovered that the owner deducted the costs of material and an hour of flight time out of the CFIs check.

[Lindsey]

Advertise around military bases, and know your stuff regarding the Post 9/11 GI bill so you can steer them in the right direction. Always be honest, and take care of your current and potential students.

[adam32]

Call up Jerry Airola and ask how he did it...

[Goldy]

Expose the helicopter to your primary training market.....and that is young, type a personality adrenalin junkies probably aged 21 to 35. So motorcycle races, boat races, what events do these types attend? Wherever they are, that's where you need to be.

[Hand_Grenade_Pilot]

Start a campaign through GroupOn (or any other 'daily deal' type advertiser). Most people only do it as a 'bucket list' experience but those introductory flights can add up pretty quickly. And you'll occasionally enroll new a student.