It seems like there are two groups of people who become flight instructors: pilots who love to share the art and skill of flying with new students, and pilots who love to share the art and skill of flying with new students while building hours toward a career in the airlines.
If you’re a new instructor, you may be facing the challenge of finding a school to align yourself with. The industry fluctuates wildly, with sometimes too many instructors and sometimes not enough. In the past year, flight schools have been flooded with new instructors as airlines temporarily shut down hiring, leaving many instructors teaching years past the time they originally thought. So what’s a new CFI to do? How do you get your foot in the door?
We asked SCFC Chief Pilot Dan Dyer to share some of his experiences on the hiring side, to give insights that may help new CFIs better position themselves in the tight job market. He’s been a flight instructor himself for over twenty years and has been hiring instructors at San Carlos Flight Center for thirteen years of that. He’ll review how the Flight Center looks for new instructors, some common deficiencies he’s seen in CFI applications, and help CFI applicants put their best foot forward. How to handle in-person and Zoom interviews? How to come prepared for a flight test? What research to do before you apply, and what to ask for during negotiations.
This is an interesting look behind the scenes of one General Aviation business. It is designed mostly for new instructors, but anyone may find these tips useful in future job searches. Join us for a better understanding of what makes a quality flight instructor.
Dan Dyer is the founder of the San Carlos Flight Center and has built the motto of Safety, Community, and Adventure for over 12 years. Dan was an instructor for over 15 years, accumulated over 4,000 flight hours, and is the Bay Area’s local expert in crosswind landing instruction. He is known for finding simple and innovative ways to explain complex topics and regularly speaks on advanced ground school topics. Find out more about Dan at www.sancarlosflight.com or contact him at [email protected]
This seminar will be open to all, both in-person and virtually. While we encourage in-person attendance, those watching virtually can join the livestream page at 7 PM PST. You may utilize the “Ask a Question” button and submit questions to the presenter.
San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is the SF Bay Area’s most dynamic flying club, committed to building general aviation through safety, community, and adventure. AOPA has consistently recognized SCFC in their Best Flight School survey, most recently in 2024 as a Distinguished Flight School.
SCFC is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our regular safety seminars and guest speaker programs. Our seminars are free to watch when attended in person at our facility in San Carlos but live streaming and viewing recorded seminars are exclusively available to members. Click here or contact an SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 for more information about online access to our web library of over 500 recorded safety seminars and live-streamed content.
