The benefits of becoming an Instructor

Thinking of turning your flying knowledge into a teaching opportunity? There are many different instructing roles in the industry that are rewarding for many reasons. For example, you can choose to be a Flight Instructor, TRE (Type Rating Examiner), TRI (Type Rating Instructor), SFI (Synthetic Flight Instructor) and SFE (Synthetic Flight Examiner).

To qualify as a flight instructor an air transport or commercial pilot’s license and a flight instructor’s license are required. In addition, you must have endorsements for the type of aircraft used by the airline.

The role of a flight instructor is often considered a stepping-stone to higher-paying flying positions. For example, some become chief instructors or directors of training for flight schools and with enough experience and flying hours, instructors can also move to jobs as corporate or airline pilots.

Whether you’re a senior pilot or a junior pilot, here are just some of the benefits of becoming an instructor:

1. A Well-Respected Role

Regardless of how long you’ve worked in the field, there is high respect for the position of instructor in the aviation industry.

2. Great Work/life balance

Have a family? As an instructor, there is no roster or commute, so it’s the ideal position for people who want to balance work with family.

3. It’s Personally Rewarding

You'll nurture your students' abilities, see them mastering new skills, and share your love of flying with them.

4. No Jetlag

That’s right, as an instructor you don’t have to fly across time zones and back. Instead, you work from one facility close by.

5. Junior Pilots Get Experience and Get Paid

For Junior pilots, being an instructor is a way to build up flight hours while being paid. What could be better than to earn your living while pursuing your passion?

6. Senior Pilots Can Continue to Do What They Love

For senior pilots, being an instructor is a way to stay active after they retire from the airline.

7. You Can Have the Best of Both Worlds

Some TRI/TRE will work half of the time instructing and the other half flying, giving them the best of both worlds.

Sound good? If so, there are plenty of job websites as well as airline careers pages you can look into for an instructor position that suits you best. You can find an in-demand opening with CAE here or search their site for opportunities all over the world here.