Job availability for CFI's in Florida

[PrestonshepherdIAFL]

So, me and my girlfriend are trying to sync our college/higher education plans together, and I'm going to flight school in Florida after I'm done paying off the debt I have (I want 0 debt before I even attempt to get a loan).

 

Anyway, she lives in Tampa, and i live in Waterloo, IA. (don't ask, circumstances had me move back home to Iowa for a time) and this is becoming very hard to determine where we should both go to school. She wants to go to school to be an interior designer and obviously I want to fly. Her choices were Jacksonville, Fort Myers, and the Tampa area. My main concern is getting a job after I'm done with my training. What is the real world demand for CFI's in Florida? They have a ton of schools but I want to make sure we don't have to move until she's done w/ her schooling.

 

If anyone has ANY idea's or suggestions, they are much appreciated.

[Fiasco]

So, me and my girlfriend are trying to sync our college/higher education plans together, and I'm going to flight school in Florida after I'm done paying off the debt I have (I want 0 debt before I even attempt to get a loan).

 

Anyway, she lives in Tampa, and i live in Waterloo, IA. (don't ask, circumstances had me move back home to Iowa for a time) and this is becoming very hard to determine where we should both go to school. She wants to go to school to be an interior designer and obviously I want to fly. Her choices were Jacksonville, Fort Myers, and the Tampa area. My main concern is getting a job after I'm done with my training. What is the real world demand for CFI's in Florida? They have a ton of schools but I want to make sure we don't have to move until she's done w/ her schooling.

 

If anyone has ANY idea's or suggestions, they are much appreciated.

 

It's a mistake to make critical life decisions on the basis of what your girlfriend is doing.

 

When my girlfriend started college her mom wanted us to get married and for her to move in with me and attend school here. I said hell no. I told her to go to the school you were planning on attending and get your life started. Her college was very difficult and required her attention 100% of the time (BSN RN) and I would have been nothing but a distraction.

 

She graduated and got her career started. We got engaged the year after she graduated and married the following year. She now has a great well paying career that affords her the flexibility to move anywhere (with no loss in wages) in the US that I have to go to in pursuit of my own career in helicopters.

 

If you are already demonstrating inflexibility in chosing a flight school on the basis of what your girlfriend is doing how is that going to work out down the road when you have to be flexible enough to move anywhere for a job?

Edited March 7, 2008 by Fiasco

[PrestonshepherdIAFL]

Well, the thing is, its not exactly inflexability. I have every intention of marrying this girl. We'd be engaged already if I didn't have to be stuck in the midwest. We just want to be able to do this together as a couple, and she has already agreed to move ANYWHERE for me to be successful as a helicopter pilot. She understands the focus I'll have to have on my training and I understand the focus she'll need.

Edited March 7, 2008 by PrestonshepherdIAFL

[relyon]

Well, the thing is, its not exactly flexability. ... she has already agreed to move ANYWHERE for me to be successful as a helicopter pilot. ...

Not only do these statements seem self-contradictory, but in addition she may not be allowed to be with you due to employer policies, customer policies, and/or government regulations depending on where your career goes. I suggest both of you give some serious consideration to what each of you is saying. While certainly not necessarily the case, there is the possibility that it may not be able to happen due to circumstances beyond the control of either of you regardless of intentions. I wish both of you the very best.

 

Bob

[edspilot]

The reality answer to your reality question is: Nobody knows!

 

We don't, you don't.

 

Frankly, I would not want to be a CFI looking for work at this time and for another 12 to 18 months. REASON: The very large school that just closed has now dumped several hundred CFIs in the market. Granted that some will be taken up in the seasonal hiring going on, some will be taken up in expansion by other schools that will have to fill the void in teaching, and some will return to other careers all together. Couple these items with the "downturn in the overall U.S market and it does not look good.

 

Therefore, I'm sure you do not want to hear this but it is "reality" in the market today. I have to agree with Fiasco. She may agree that she will move to wherever & whenever needed and I'm sure she truely believes it but life throws all kinds of curves.

 

Remember, your education is a business decision, her education is a business decision & your engadgement/marriage is yes, a business decision.

 

For both of your futures, take your time and think things through without emotion, if possible.

 

We all wish you the very best.

 

edspilot

 

Well, the thing is, its not exactly flexability. I have every intention of marrying this girl. We'd be engaged already if I didn't have to be stuck in the midwest. We just want to be able to do this together as a couple, and she has already agreed to move ANYWHERE for me to be successful as a helicopter pilot. She understands the focus I'll have to have on my training and I understand the focus she'll need.

[jra0924]

If you two happen to find a good compromise and it takes you up to Jacksonville, I would highly recommend you check out Tomlinson Aviation, the operation in Ormond Beach. They're are only 1.5 hours south of Jax, just north of Daytona. I too am looking at full time flight instruction, so I visited there and Bristow Academy ( a little over 2 hours south of Jax) a few months ago and was very impressed! I flew an hour with one of their newest instructors and felt very comfortable! Their aircraft are fairly new or brand new Schweizer 300's and the maintenance and facilities looked top notch! Ormond Beach Municipal airport is a small tower controlled airport right off of i-95, so the commute would be pretty easy living in or near Jacksonville. From the way it sounded they are looking to expand, currently building an extension to their hanger to add classrooms in order to really ramp up the school. I'd be willing to bet if you were a good student, they liked you, and your flying skills were up to it... they'd offer you a CFI job when you passed your practicals.

Edited March 7, 2008 by jra0924

[jra0924]

Bristow is more of a fulltime academy. The commute down there every day for classes and flying time would get old really quick! Unless of course you lived in between somewhere.

Edited March 7, 2008 by jra0924

[PrestonshepherdIAFL]

Not only do these statements seem self-contradictory, but in addition she may not be allowed to be with you due to employer policies, customer policies, and/or government regulations depending on where your career goes. I suggest both of you give some serious consideration to what each of you is saying. While certainly not necessarily the case, there is the possibility that it may not be able to happen due to circumstances beyond the control of either of you regardless of intentions. I wish both of you the very best.

 

Bob

 

 

Please explain that statement, as that sounds like it may be important. From what you wrote, I take that you mean my WIFE would not be able to move with me?

 

Also, I meant to type "INflexibility", not flexibility in my original post.

 

 

 

Also, to address my timeframe, I'm not looking to be in a flight school for the next 1.5-2 years, due to paying off my debt, establishing a residence, and shopping schools.

[Fiasco]

...she may not be allowed to be with you due to employer policies, customer policies, and/or government regulations depending on where your career goes.

Bob

 

I'd be interested in hearing more details on those jobs/situations where policy or regulation prevents you from cohabitating w/ your spouse.

 

My wifes career is flexible enough that she can pick up 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 month contracts pretty much anywhere in the United States.

[relyon]

Nowhere did I mention explicitly or implicitly that one's romantic interest was not able to move or cohabitate with oneself. As to the specifics of what I did write:

 

... may not be allowed to be with you due to employer policies, customer policies, and/or government regulations depending on where your career goes. ...

A few of many scenarios:

• You get a job in the GOM and your 14/14 contract requires you to stay offshore at night. You'd love to go your home in Corpus Christi, TX the few nights you'll be on the beach, but you're based out of Venice, LA
  

• You get a job logging for Columbia Helicopters and move to beautiful central Oregon. But this week you are assigned to work east of Sacramento, CA and next week you're assigned to Venezuala for 45 days. You wonder where you'll be going after that
  

• You fight fires and it's fire season with you living [hopefully] somewhere that's not on fire. A major fire breaks out halfway across the state or the country and you're off to work. You're trying to guess how long you might be there.
  

• You do game capture in Alaska while there's actually light to see both the game and where you're flying. You'd love to see the place during your time off but it's dark and incredibly cold at that time of year.
  

I won't even go into what very well may happen if you're in the military. That and further excercises are for the reader.

 

Bob

[PrestonshepherdIAFL]

Ah, I was already well aware of those situations and have discussed them with my girlfriend. This really is something we both have put a lot of thought into and she fully supports the sacrifices we'll both need to make so that I can do what I love.

 

 

But, like I said originally, my major concern is being able to be a CFI/train in the same area that she's doing her Interior Design school. My first picks for schools are Helicopter Academy in Sarasota, and Tomlinson in Ormand Beach. Also, Razorblades Helicopters at St.Pete/Clearwater Airport in Clearwater is one I am currently looking at.

 

 

 

Thank you for all of the insight and advice so far everyone!

[Fiasco]

Ah, I was already well aware of those situations and have discussed them with my girlfriend. This really is something we both have put a lot of thought into and she fully supports the sacrifices we'll both need to make so that I can do what I love.

 

 

But, like I said originally, my major concern is being able to be a CFI/train in the same area that she's doing her Interior Design school. My first picks for schools are Helicopter Academy in Sarasota, and Tomlinson in Ormand Beach. Also, Razorblades Helicopters at St.Pete/Clearwater Airport in Clearwater is one I am currently looking at.

 

 

 

Thank you for all of the insight and advice so far everyone!

 

Again, you are limiting your options and making yourself less employable. You have to be ready to take a CFI position ANYWHERE. You can't expect to just stay in the same area that she has to finish her school out in. You also can't assume that the school that trains you will hire you.

 

The hardest part of a career in helo aviation (to my understanding) is not paying for it or finishing school but getting from the 200hrs to an employable 1000-1500 hours.

 

You can attend a school in the same region as her but getting a job in the same area while she is finishing her school is probably highly unlikely.

Edited March 8, 2008 by Fiasco

[PrestonshepherdIAFL]

That is very good to know, as it will help me formulate a plan for our future. I didn't come here with this question looking for a cushy answer, I know how the real world can be unfortunately.

 

 

 

Like I said before, I will do anything and everything I can do be a pilot. If that includes holding off on flight training until she has her degree or can move, so be it, but this IS what I will do. I come from a lower class family and I fully believe that in this country, you can do whatever you want to do as far as education and career goes (thats why I'm a 20 year old Republican).

 

Now that I have my original question pretty well established, has anyone heard anything about Razorblades at St.Pete/Clearwater? I can't really seem to find much information on them at all.

 

 

Again, thank you all for the comments and real life advice, it is greatly appreciated.

[FLHooker]

Not sure how much you have looked into schools for her, but my wife is actually going to school for Interior Design in Orlando (IADT). We live in Palm Coast, which is 20 min north of Daytona. She only goes to school 2 days a week on an accelerated course. And only about 10 minutes from the previously mentioned Tomlinson. It sucks for her because of the 1.5 hour drive 2 days a week, but we have cheap rent and HA! I'm 5 minutes from work.

 

 

CHAD

[betr_thn_Icarus]

... my major concern is being able to be a CFI/train in the same area that she's doing her Interior Design school. My first picks for schools are Helicopter Academy in Sarasota, and Tomlinson in Ormand Beach. Also, Razorblades Helicopters at St.Pete/Clearwater Airport in Clearwater is one I am currently looking at. ......

 

 

I am not quick to recommend a school these days. Having said that I will put in a great word for Tomlinson. From all of the schools I have researched they came out awesome. After BAD experience with past training I researched schools all over the US and visited a few of the best ones I found. I moved from Nevada to Florida to go to Tomlinson as a primary school....with many others around just incase. I have no experience with the others you mentioned other than that I looked into them online. I have been to ...Bristow now I believe since the changeover in Titusville. I'm sure it must be a good school but holy crap....they seem to be cranking out the students. They have 60 some helicopters if I remember right. It was crazy down there and not what I was looking for.

 

If you want to chat about it, pm me your number and we can talk. I should still have a HUGE excell list of schools with advantages and disadvantages as well as the choppers they fly and how many they had about 6 months ago. A lot have the hourly costs as well. I'll have to look for it on my computer.

 

I do agree with the others on your girlfriend. My wife was about to go to Africa right after I met her. I told her to go and do it then we could pick up if things worked out when she got back. I didn't want her to regret not going or blame me. I also told her I would be doing my helicopter thing and to be with me she would have to accept that and we both did. It is a nice understanding and it seems to be working out. She got her masters and is a math professor with a good schedule and the ability...as well as the desire...to see new places and move around.

 

Good luck

 

-Seth

[PrestonshepherdIAFL]

Not sure how much you have looked into schools for her, but my wife is actually going to school for Interior Design in Orlando (IADT). We live in Palm Coast, which is 20 min north of Daytona. She only goes to school 2 days a week on an accelerated course. And only about 10 minutes from the previously mentioned Tomlinson. It sucks for her because of the 1.5 hour drive 2 days a week, but we have cheap rent and HA! I'm 5 minutes from work.

 

 

CHAD

 

 

 

...There's cheap rent in Florida? lol

 

 

Jen (my girlfriend) didn't mention any schools in Orlando, so I'll have her look into that one.

[betr_thn_Icarus]

...There's cheap rent in Florida? lol

 

 

Yes rent is very cheap in Central Florida right now as well as home purchase prices. The local economy is doing pretty poorly in Florida right now...maybe most of the country also but not sure. I know the local job market in Volusia and the surrounding counties is poor to be nice. The only groups not affected are driven by business that is not local like oil and gas or things that go up with poor economy like education. Even a lot of big chain restraunts and stores are pulling out of this area (maybe others too). We just went to our favorite chain steak house last night to find it closed up over the last week since we were there last. All of the employment agencies I have talked to say that they have record low jobs and record high nembers of people looking for work. The colleges have overwhelming enrollment because people don't have work so they are trying to go back to school to get an education to find a better job.

 

Orlando may be doing better because they have a lot of high tech industry (unlike where I am in Daytona). My degree is in Electronics so unless I wanted to drive that long way I am out of luck for a high tech job here. I had to take a different path to do ok.

 

Where are you moving to?

[clay]

were is Tomlinson's website? i have a buddy who teaches there. when you go to it, it says "domain name has expired"

[PrestonshepherdIAFL]

Eh, compared to where I am in Iowa, rent anywhere in Florida is horrendous. For a high end 800 sq ft 2 bedroom up here, you'd pay at most $700 a month. And thats luxury living. I'd be lucky to find a one bedroom for that price in Tampa Bay

 

 

I'll be moving to Tampa right off the bat, paying off the rest of my debt living with Jen. Then once I'm down there we figure out schools. Like I said before, if I put off my Helicopter Training until after she's done w/ her degree, thats just fine to me. I want to make sure we can do this together.

[DEMO]

So, me and my girlfriend are trying to sync our college/higher education plans together, and I'm going to flight school in Florida after I'm done paying off the debt I have (I want 0 debt before I even attempt to get a loan).

 

Anyway, she lives in Tampa, and i live in Waterloo, IA. (don't ask, circumstances had me move back home to Iowa for a time) and this is becoming very hard to determine where we should both go to school. She wants to go to school to be an interior designer and obviously I want to fly. Her choices were Jacksonville, Fort Myers, and the Tampa area. My main concern is getting a job after I'm done with my training. What is the real world demand for CFI's in Florida? They have a ton of schools but I want to make sure we don't have to move until she's done w/ her schooling.

 

If anyone has ANY idea's or suggestions, they are much appreciated.

 

 

I have sent you a PM

[svtcobra66]

Tomlinson's website is undergoing some big changes, and it should be up by Monday (it shouldn't have gone down in the first place, evidently an IT problem that should be fixed soon). The new look for the website will be up by Friday, if all goes as planned. Sorry for the inconvenience during the changeover.

 

Chris

Edited March 10, 2008 by svtcobra66

[clay]

and speaking of the devil.. he arises to answer my question! how's florida

[Rob Lyman]

Jacksonville may not be the best place for a low time helicopter pilot to get a job. There are a bunch of Navy helicopter squadrons in Mayport and NAS Jacksonville. There is also an Army National Guard aviation batallion/GSAB at Cecil. You may be competing with former military pilots from these units for civilian jobs. Add to that a recently defunked Silver State Helicopter school and I would think the prospects for a low time pilot are not great.

 

On the bright side, former military pilots are used to getting paid better than their low time civilian counterparts, so if you do find a low time job, chances are you will be more comfortable with the lower wages.

[svtcobra66]

and speaking of the devil.. he arises to answer my question! how's florida

 

Warm, but no mountains