How are you guys getting CFI jobs genuinely
Posted by throwawayW35654@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 199 comments
I (22F) got my CFI in October and my CFII in December of 2025 and have been applying to jobs since before I was even certified. And no one is hiring. I mean no one. I’ve cold emailed about every flight school in the eastern U.S. (as far as Missouri, working on emailing further west) and I’ve quite literally walked myself into just about every flight school in Florida and Georgia, asked if they were hiring, and every response thus far has been “no but if you have a resume we’ll take it!” I’ve gone to conferences. I’ve flown 6 hours away out of state for two interviews (was extended an offer for both and both ended up falling through for purposes they said/proved were not my fault). And yes, I looked at the flight school I graduated from and while they only hire internally, they require 6 months of experience (what?) before hiring.
One of the 2 schools I did hear back from, I completed and interview with, they extended the job offer, then closed their doors 2 weeks later (just my luck) without even informing anyone, let alone little old me. I keep hitting brick wall after brick wall and I’m genuinely feeling so discouraged about it, as I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. I’m kind of at a loss for what to do, and I don’t really have the funds to put into plane rental, so I’m starting to get worried about my proficiency. I might see if I can try to go rent sometime this next month but I’ve been out of work for training and might have to ask for help funding it.
Does anyone have any advice for tactics that worked? Please, I’m desperate and running out of money fast. Thank you in advance.
Jacrifice@reddit
I just went independent. Don’t wait for the job to come to you.
Find a way to keep flying.
nolaflygirl@reddit
Did u have your own plane? If not, what entity let you rent for instructional purposes, & whose insurance covered the plane(s) once your student(s) soloed?
Jacrifice@reddit
I networked until I found a plane owned through an LLC.
I have CFI non-owned insurance and my students get their own as well. It’s not much different than a flight school.
nolaflygirl@reddit
Perfect. That's the way to do it! Back when I was a PPL student & beyond, the flight schools' insurance covered everything. No one even mentioned student insurance...if it even existed. Now, everyone had better have it.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I’ve tried this as well, made a whole website, bought a domain, promote in FB groups. Nothing.
scottyh214@reddit
Join a flying club and teach there. I did it. It’s still no walk in the park but it worked. I went from 300 hours in January 2022 to 2,000 hours flying a Citation X in 2026. If you have the willpower, it can happen. Feel free to DM me, I’m happy to try to guide you if I can.
AlbiMappaMundi@reddit
Same. Club/independent, doing \~60 hours per month. Have zero interest or appetite in the flight school environment and all of the hiring drama.
scottyh214@reddit
I averaged 50-60 hours at the peak of my instruction. I still teach but at a much more limited capacity as I’m flying full time for a 135 now on a Citation X.
Other advantages: I set my own rates, chose my own schedule and had contract that said I couldn’t teach outside individuals.
Icy-Pumpkin1017@reddit
This is the answer. Club/independent. Even if it’s just for the first few dual given. Hang in there!
kingcarlyshayster@reddit
I would also get business cards made and post them to all your local airport’s FBOs. When I was full time flight instructing, I was getting phone calls left and right that way.
SpicySausageFst@reddit
Try East Coast Aero Club, in Bedford, MA. They don't have enough CFIs. I'm always struggling to get the time slots i want for dual instruction. I don't know what their contract would look like, but I assume it's financially low stakes for them to on board new instructors, since the instructors only get paid when students book with them.
(Apologies if my take is uninformed, I'd just like more options at that school).
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Just looked them up, how is the school? They list 26 instructors in the MA school ALONE, and that’s a lot.
SpicySausageFst@reddit
It feels like a small outfit - there are a lot of instructors affiliated but they're mostly unavailable or retiring soon. Everyone sets their own schedule. It's great to learn in that busy airspace though, keeps you prepared and on your toes.
LycomingO235@reddit
Desperation comes off as unprofessional. It also lacks any clear, actionable request. Ventmaxxing / entitlementmaxxing 100%.
What values, skills, experiences set you apart from any other CFI applicant? How will hiring you add value to the flight school you are working at? Maybe try asking those questions to yourself and re-frame them as value-adds when applying. My guess is that your cold calling and resume dropping is ineffective because you go in expecting people to hire you without selling them on why no other CFI would be as good of a hire as you are.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
My resume highlights all my “add-ons”. Worked on a ramp. Already have a little bit of dual given. Flown 7 different aircraft at only 270 hours. Even done aerobatics.
LycomingO235@reddit
This answer is still about YOU, not about THEM. How are those things going to bring value? Outside of working on a ramp, many CFIs have the same experience.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Aerobatics and UPRT is extra safety training. I’m failing to see how that’s NOT about them. Multiple aircraft under my belt means less familiarization worries for them. Dual given means they’re not hiring someone who has no clue what they’re doing. What does any of what I said NOT have to do with benefits to them?
lindseysaywhut@reddit
You’re being combative in a lot of your responses in this thread. I get you’ve had a hard time, but if this is the way you come across to employers, even if subconsciously, this is probably part of the reason you aren’t hearing back or getting through interviews.
This person who gave you the advice to stand out is right. Standing out with diverse flight experience right now obviously isn’t enough (it hasn’t gotten you a job), and many people with higher time than you and even more diverse flight experience are applying for the same jobs. Maybe try getting some customer service experience somewhere if you continue to hit a wall.
Let me know if you want any help looking at your resume etc I have a pretty unique and fun job in aviation and was where you were in 2020.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I’m…not being combative, I’m simply having monotone conversation because it’s a bunch of strangers on Reddit and I’m just here to get my point across. Obviously my “customer service” is better when the person I’m interacting with is offering me a job/paying me lmfao. I’ve literally been working customer service since I was 16 years old.
Throwawayyacc22@reddit
You are being a little combative/defensive.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Again, I don’t owe strangers on Reddit anything lol
Throwawayyacc22@reddit
Nobody said you did.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Cool so then I don’t really wanna hear it from someone with only a PPL about how I’m supposedly being combative on CFI job interviews all because of how I spoke as an anon account on reddit lol
Throwawayyacc22@reddit
This comment is exhibit A.
Best of luck, lol.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Let’s get your IR buddy
LycomingO235@reddit
Big yikes. Stay mad, stay unemployed. Aviation has clearly rejected you.
throaway691876@reddit
Right, therapy might be a decent investment, if there’s one personality trait I (and most others) despise it’s this one, acts nice and polite to those higher up or with more power, but then shit talks everyone beneath them, it’s truly some Machiavellian shit and quite concerning.
throaway691876@reddit
Right, therapy might be a decent investment, if there’s one personality trait I (and most others) despise it’s this one, acts nice and polite to those higher up or with more power, but then shit talks everyone beneath them, it’s truly some Machiavellian shit and quite concerning.
Throwawayyacc22@reddit
Need to have access to a plane, or a CFI gig, for that.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
🤷♀️
throaway691876@reddit
Yeesh, well now we have an idea as to why you’re not getting any interviews.
Work on your temper and personality, this isn’t the look you think it is…..
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I’ve gotten plenty of interviews and was liked on every single one lol just cuz I have a temper on my anon account doesn’t mean I do in a job interview??? Hello???
throaway691876@reddit
It’s indicative of how you wish/want to act, so it’s indicative of your character, yes.
“I have a dog! How dare you say I’m mean to animals!”
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Ever thought the frustration comes from the fact that if I had been able to start flying sooner I wouldn’t have gotten dealt the worst hand possible? Ever thought about how discouraging it is to be told “we’d love to have you” on multiple interviews only to be fully ghosted? Who cares how I feel deep down. If I’m not outwardly expressing it then it doesn’t matter lol.
throaway691876@reddit
How is that anyone’s fault? That’s simply how it goes.
If you’re willing to shit talk a student for pointing out that you’re being confrontational, then why would that be any different in the real world, hopefully you understand why that’s a serious issue, I’d expect to be fired immediately if I talked to any of my students like that, and I’d deserve it, how unprofessional and petty.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
And he’s not my student. And I’m not gonna get fired for talking an anonymous account lol. Hope you don’t get that DUI you posted about.
throaway691876@reddit
LOL, he’s A STUDENT. You’re posting about your impending divorce, I wouldn’t play the “digging through profile” game, and no, nobody is getting a DUI for mowing lawn, it’s a hypothetical.
The fact that you’re acting this shitty when nobody is looking says a ton about your character, and it’s scary that you’re putting up a facade in person to hide this, I don’t ever wanna find myself sitting in the flight deck with you.
lindseysaywhut@reddit
You don’t owe anyone here anything but there are plenty of people on subreddit who are in hiring, and you don’t come across as pleasant. Good luck to you!
Rangeexpert3@reddit
Random question. This isnt directed towards you specifically. The CFI hiring envrionment has been like this for a while and for anyone especially on reddit, this has been known. A big way to get the schools attention is the money you are about to spend there. Why would you give so much money to the school without making sure you would get hired there? The places around me all hire their own. Pretty much all of the ones I know that went through the schools programs all got hired. Very recently.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
The “6 months of experience” thing did NOT exist when I started or else I wouldn’t have followed through with training there, trust me. My own CFI hadn’t heard of it because he was hired on right after he graduated.
jhj0604@reddit
this is absolutely wild lmao
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who thought this was strange 😭
Vindicated0721@reddit
While this does not help you at all now. I would have never gone to a school that does not hire their students after they get their CFI.
The helicopter aviation instruction industry is just one messed up Ponzi scheme. But if your school doesn’t even give you the chance at the scheme it really hurts your chances of breaking into the field.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
They did when I started lol when I told my CFI about that, he’d never heard of such a thing when he got hired there. So it must’ve been something recently implemented that no one was aware of.
Shoulder_patch@reddit
Of course they did when you started smh. Mostly a lurker, but feel your pain, this is the exact type of luck I would have. Hope your luck turns around because this is terrible.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Haha ikr. The market is bad but I feel like I keep getting absolutely screwed. Good luck to you as well
jhj0604@reddit
Theyre gonna end up drying up their pool like this 💔
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Real as crap. I’m just hoping it’s a temporary thing because I would LOVE to teach at that school.
jhj0604@reddit
Whats the name of the school if you dont mind me asking?
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I’ll private message you
November202025@reddit
DM me the name too please
Maple-Mayhem@reddit
I have to wonder if they just told OP this? 😬
ClientPowerful@reddit
That was my first thought...
Proper_Energy5664@reddit
I mean there were 17,000 commercial carts issued in 2023, 17,000 cents issued in 2024, and 20,000 cents in 2025
You’re looking at almost 60,000 commercial certificates issued in three years. I think the regionals are only bringing about 5000-6000 a year of new FOs. And that is including the 135 guys coming over to 121,’ military guys coming over, and all of the spirit guys who got furloughed
And because of this Iran war, we might be going into a recession. Markets are up now but oil is over $120 a barrel. So I wish I can give you some good news, but in reality it’s gonna be bad for a while
Maybe a few years down the line flight training will drop off because how much fuel is costing, cost of living in increasing, etc. then after the drop off demand will swing back. But in the meantime, there will be less people taking flight lessons. I don’t even know who can afford to take a lesson right now with how expensive everything is
But I’m sorry to whoever was told that there is a pilot shortage. You were sold on marketing lie. There are now 4 to 5 times the amount of qualified pilots for the amount of jobs. Some of these people were never even interested in Aviation, but saw some Instagram day in a life videos during Covid and jumped into this.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have a job that pays my bills Monday through Friday and then instruct on the weekends, even if it’s almost free to build time.
But good luck to everyone and it’s not all bad news as there will be a lot of retirements still. It just comes down to how fast the airlines want to fill those spots. I think right now they’re being a little conservative based on the macro economics of what’s going on in the world.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the insight, I wasn’t sold on the pilot shortage thing though. I was only able to finally finance it in 2023. If it were up to me, I would’ve stated sooner. Unlike a lot of people, I’m in it for the love of the game, not the price of the prize.
Hodgetwins32@reddit
I just built a good network at my local airport with flight clubs, T-hangars guys and a school. You’re female and I assume you have more than 300 hours… why aren’t you a Delta captain yet..?
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
sigh
CarminSanDiego@reddit
Join the military while you’re still young. Guard / reserve flying is great
Proper_Energy5664@reddit
Yes, if you like vacationing in Iran
DeerPrior1644@reddit
I just was fortunate enough to remain friends with a gentleman who graduated in my class from the 2 year 141 program I did. He started his own school in our area after graduation. For reference there is really only 1 other flight school in the area to compete with, he called me one day expressing how he wanted some backup, and I fit the bill.
After reading some of these comments it truly makes me realize how fortunate I am to have the work I do.
blanc84gn@reddit
Its on the other side of the country but San Carlos Flight Center in the San Francisco Bay Area is hiring instructors
https://scfc.bamboohr.com/careers/25
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Bless you. I need to start looking more in the Cali area for sure, thanks for this (and a link too??? You’re awesome)!
blanc84gn@reddit
Best of luck, hope to hear about an update!
Special-Following587@reddit
Apply to Intercept Aviation you will get an interview.
Dapper_Machine_7846@reddit
The 141 I went to will hire you if you finish your training with them typically. Only met a couple graduates that were completely out of luck with hiring.
atthemattin@reddit
I did two of my ratings at a school, then built time with their planes. Got to know them very well and they offered me a job after my commercial when I get my cfi. What I teach is a little more technical and special. So they saw I had the time and knew how to teach to their program. Didn't hurt that I also had teaching creds through other jobs. I honestly think if you learn at Mom and pop flight school you have a better chance. But some pilots are legit bad or just not personable. So thats a disqualifier here
nlbair22@reddit
I was in the same boat not too long ago. Got my CFI in July 25, CFII in September, and MEI in October. Didn’t get hired until this February. It was at my school that did all of my ratings. It is definitely taking a lot longer than usual but be patient and wait the drought out. It’ll come soon enough. Shoot I got an offer from another school two days after I accepted the one I’m at lol.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Haha crazy how timing is innit
CryOfTheWind@reddit
Pretty much. Took me 6 years to find a flying job because I was ready just in time for the 2008 crash. Had work before that never turned into a flying job as the company went bankrupt before I hit the line.
Then I was stuck at an FBO for a couple years making every connection I could. It ended up paying off and after someone put my resume on to a chiefs desk for me I was finally flying.
Times like these you may have to settle for that FBO job and use it to at least keep in the industry and keep networking. I did and that's why I'm one of the two of my class that fly professionally today and the rest didn't make it.
nlbair22@reddit
Working at an FBO is a great thing to do. I’ve done it for over 5 years now while getting my certs. You definitely learn a lot and make good connections.
nlbair22@reddit
It sure is lol
notyouraveragesaler@reddit
I was lucky enough to have built great relationships with the people who worked the flight school. By the time I was done with CFI, I was hired. Helped a bit that there were two instructors who had left but even then.
CobblerLevel7919@reddit
Let me start off with the position I’m coming from; I am a chief pilot for a company that has multiple flight schools… not ATP.
I know for me, and many of my counterparts in my company, It is heartbreaking to see how many people are looking for jobs and how few positions we have available. We are currently hiring about 1/10 as we were before 2025.
When I look at a résumé, there’s a few things that help me out. First, make it easy to read. I don’t need to see a lot of fluff information. I just need to see what makes you possibly a good fit for our company. I need to be able to easily see if you have your CFI-I, your MEI, and any unique experience that we might be looking for ( i.e. tail wheel, aerobic, 182, diamond, Piper, part 141/61, etc.). I literally have access to thousands of résumés, make it easy on the people who have to read them.
One thing our company does is give first available interviews to people who have trained with us. Unfortunately, we don’t even have enough jobs available for the people we’ve trained. Now, applicants who have trained with us are not guaranteed a job, but they are guaranteed an interview so that cuts into non-local applicants. We used to try to make sure we had a good mix of people from within and outside the company, it made us better and well rounded, but that has become secondary item we look at.
So here’s the best advice I can give; focus on companies that you have some sort of connection to. Identify what their needs are and try to find a way to meet those needs. If you don’t meet those needs, then try to figure out if there’s a way you can fill them.
Second, if you’re a high hour pilot (which you don’t seem to be) and/or are an out of area applicant, you’re going to have a very hard time getting a CFI job. If you’re close or past minimums, we know you’re gonna try to take an airline job as soon as one’s available. We don’t blame you, but it’s an expense for us to take you on just to lose you within a few months. The other hard part, for out of area applicants, is lack of a support structure; as terrible as this is, being a flight instructor does not pay well. If you don’t have family/a spouse/significant other to help you out it’s going to be even harder for you to have a reason to stay where you have none of that support structure.
As unfortunate as this is, many flight instructors (myself included) had an alternate source of income and a support person in their life. Those who don’t struggle quite a bit financially.
I truly wish you the best of luck any many of us on the hiring side do feel for all of you, but we also have to do what’s best for our schools and companies; show that you are that applicant we need.
pattj91@reddit
Chief pilot of a flight school here. Three things you should know: 1) it’s a highly competitive market. We get flooded with résumé’s every week (many from ATP grads). 2) people aren’t moving to the airlines as quickly as they used to, meaning that the CFI’s we have on staff are sticking around longer. 3) we prefer to hire CFI’s that we’ve trained in house Many smaller flight schools like ours don’t even bother posting open positions anymore, when we have a spot come open we go through the résumé’s that people have sent in or dropped off and go from there. Things that you can do to increase your chances of getting hired, especially at smaller flight schools/clubs:
1) actually visit the school and drop off your resume in person. It does leave a good impression that you cared enough to actually come visit. Dress semi-professionally when you do. Nothing crazy, but jeans or slacks and a collared shirt makes a good impression. Had a guy the other week in a t shirt and shorts with a baseball cap hand a (wrinkled and poorly written) resume to our dispatcher and it went straight in the trash. 2) have a resume that looks professional, is on one page, and is properly formatted and proof-read. I can’t tell you how many résumé’s we have rejected simply because the applicant didn’t bother to make it look professional. 3) when you are offered an interview, thoroughly prepare for it. We do a two part interview, including on the ground which is a combination technical/HR interview and a flight interview with myself or the assistant chief and we rank the candidates competitively. We can afford to be choosy about who we hire and your level of preparation and professionalism speaks volumes about the type of CFI you will be.
I hope this helps. I’m sorry you’re having a tough time but keep at it, you will land something eventually.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Hey I appreciate you man. Thanks for commenting all of this (kindly too), I’ll definitely go from here.
pattj91@reddit
I’m sorry the market is so shitty. I had a tough time too when I was a job hunting CFI a few years ago and it’s just gotten worse.
lil_layne@reddit
We aren’t. Look at the new airmen statistics. The number of CFIs produced keeping breaking all time records. 13,000 in 2025. Now the number of students is declining. So not only is the supply increasing, and the demand decreasing, but there also is a backlog at the airline level so CFIs past 1500 hours are also having to stick around as CFIs. There comes a point where there are just not jobs available. I am in the same situation so I am not necessarily wanting to sound pessimistic, but this is just what the reality is right now.
MundaneHovercraft876@reddit
Curious what of that 13,000 are foreign. Also curious how many is 1 person getting CFI, CFII, MEI.
Humble_Win_9801@reddit
A CFI certificate only stands here with FAA if you want to instruct here in the states. Doesnt apply in the europe/asian countries. Their CFI tco is nothing like what we do here in states
MundaneHovercraft876@reddit
Foreign people come here and get their FAA CFI certificate. Therefore those count
Several-Village5814@reddit
Even if 5000 of those students are foreign (which is unlikely), there are not 8000 CFI jobs in the country opening up.
lil_layne@reddit
Idk about how many are foreign but the 13,000 is flight instructor certificates issued. Add ons would not be included to that just like CMEL add ons are not included in the commercial certificates issued number.
OrganizationPlane683@reddit
There was also 20k cpl certs issued so the cfi market is going to get even more flooded. Thats only the start of the problem, there will not be enough flying jobs by a long shot for the amount of pilots we’ve already produced. In fact there is a massive oversupply of pilots in the pipeline at this point.
ebs757@reddit
Quit following the pack and do aerial survey
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I wanted to but there’s even less opportunities for that. I didn’t even want to be a CFI initially, but at the conferences I’ve been to, so many cadet programs and companies won’t hire you without a CFII at minimum.
CaptainBarkleyBear@reddit
I have no better advice than anyone else. I started training in 2017. Got my CFI by 2021. And not until early 2025 at age 30 did I get my first instructing job. If you really love it you'll just be persistent and it will happen at some point. Just know that it works out perfectly for some, and less so for others (people like me and you). Your best tool for success right now do not stop trying! This downturn and frustration will wash some people out. I kept focused on the goal. It took me 4 years but eventually my commitment paid off!
Substantial_Meat5111@reddit
Even high time pilots can’t get jobs right now, it should get better eventually so keep trying! Don’t lose hope
SignificantToob@reddit
I’ve been applying since August 2025. It’s rough
Apart_Bear_5103@reddit
It’s because every pilot (damn near) that wants to fly professionally gets a CFI cert. So the training audience is either someone who only wants a private rating (dwindling by the day) or your future direct competitor.
YamComprehensive7186@reddit
I went straight to 135 VFR single pilot at 500hr. Take what ever comes up, pipeline, survey etc.
Wavebuilder14UDC@reddit
Wait we’re getting CFI jobs?
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
That part lol
cadusdq@reddit
Which part, 61 or 141?
_-Cleon-_@reddit
My CFI lived in Colorado, searched all over the country, and after months FINALLY found a part-time job in rural Illinois.
The market would have to work its way up to "brutal."
Novel-Leg8534@reddit
If you’re willing to move, there’s a flight school on long island New York with an endless supply of students and planes. Send resume
fgflyer@reddit
Welcome to the club…
In all seriousness it’s a really rough market out there right now for lower-time pilots in general. The CFI‘s that are getting jobs are those that are literally willing to move to anywhere in the country to get them, or they are getting hired internally by the flight school they trained at. It’s getting that desperate. I’m sorry to hear your school wants you to have experience before getting hired by them… that seems a little weird but okay then.
Have faith, and keep looking. This will not last forever.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
That’s the thing, my stuff is literally still packed up for a move from FL to MO for a job I was hired at, that literally shut down. I AM willing to move anywhere.
PotatoHunter_III@reddit
Was that for Piston Aviation by any chance? See yourself lucky if it was. They've had a bad reputation for years. CFIs not gettinf paid, airplanes not maintained, management being shitty, etc.
notcarefully@reddit
Alaska is always hiring. Also what about cirrus? Aircraft in tn and aviation in fl
jhj0604@reddit
I'm like 99% sure Alaska won't even look at you if you dont have any time in Alaska and Cirrus requires 350 dual or 150 hours in a Cirrus depending on IP level or 300 dual if you don't have any Cirrus time
throwaway642246@reddit
Alaska is absolutely not always hiring.
I have multiple family members who are based in Ketchikan, Merrill, and Bethel.
Spoke with the chief at Lake Clark Air a few days ago he said “unless you want to move here and work on the ramp for 1-2 years, you aren’t getting hired to fly, I haven’t hired anyone from the lower 48 for years because of the AK time requirement”.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Tried Cirrus, tried FL, nothing there
Wasatcher@reddit
About the plane rental and proficiency. I spent a year looking for a CFI gig and didn't fly because I was working and poor. Did all my training in DA20/40.
When I finally landed an interview with a school they had nothing but Cessnas. So I rented a DA-20 once to do maneuvers and again for pattern work. Went up for an hour in a 172 which I'd never flown before to get a feel for it.
When the flight interview came I asked the Chief for more time because I wasn't confident in the 172. He told me to just come up because the interview is more about how well I teach the maneuvers not perform them. My steep turns were trash and out of standards. After we packed up the plane he said "Well probably start looking for housing". I asked does that mean I got the job. He replied "Well I told you if you don't step on your dick and do something stupid you'd be fine".
So I wouldn't sweat too much about how well you actually fly, it's not a checkride. Most good schools want to see you know how to talk through setting up for the maneuver and performing it.
WelcomeToDankonia@reddit
Piston?
ResortNo7247@reddit
I got lucky, I got hired internally by my school after I got all my ratings there. After I got in I asked how many other people had applied for that position, it was about 50 people all trying to get that one CFI opening. It’s a really brutal job market right now, I think around half of my original CFI class never got hired.
PhillyPilot@reddit
Start talking to local pilots about training. There’s a lot with their own airplane that need flight reviews, IPCs, they want to get their instrument, etc. This will help you build some dual given time and experience so you’re more attractive to employers.
Juneyinthesky297@reddit
Try Delta State University flight school in Cleveland, MS. They hire students as soon as they finish their training. I worked there for 3 years before moving away. It’s a part 141 with every type of aircraft you’ll want to build hours in. Very cheap cost of living in the surrounding area. Feel free to DM me.
Muted-Rhubarb2143@reddit
There is no advice. You have done everything, either you wash out or get your break. Unfortunately which of those outcomes will be your outcome seems to be increasingly clear.
There is no magic bullet or hack. You are competing with thousands of other instructors and not finding yourself on the winning side.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
You seem like a joy to be around
Speedymcspeeder@reddit
Welcome to the real world. I am seeing at least one reason you are where you are.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
My fault for being emotional over feeling unwanted. This is, in fact, my first really big job. I’m sorry I’m not reacting perfectly right out of the gate.
Wasatcher@reddit
I was 35 when I finally got my certs and first CFI job. 37 now and about to start applying to regionals. Keep your head up. When you finally get that instructing gig you'll be in the best place possible as far as seniority. Just keep at it and the opportunity will come. Our school has 2 female CFIs and they look to keep a couple on pay roll for female students who are more comfortable with them. Being 22F actually helps you hugely in this regard with like-minded schools
rsplayer123@reddit
*attempt at a job. Not first big job since you don’t have it yet.
Keep your chin up and hope something breaks your way but wouldn’t hurt to look for other ways to get paid for flying hours beaides instructing.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Well I mean…yeah I did have a job lol they just closed their doors. But I was fully hired on and everything.
mav3r1ck92691@reddit
You don’t have a job until you are getting paid. You had an offer.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Right because signing the documents and going through onboarding doesn’t count as getting hired I guess.
mav3r1ck92691@reddit
Did you get paid?
Speedymcspeeder@reddit
You're an adult. You're an adult looking for a job that can easily kill you and someone else relying on your expertise. Put your big pants on and work the problem. Thousands and thousands of pilots before you have done it and thousands more will. You aren't any different. Circumstances can be different but at 22f looking for a job, you are already ahead of a giant population of people to ever do it and your reaction to a speed bump leads me to think i want nothing to do with being on your plane at the moment. That CAN change, but like I said. Work the problem. Keep pushing. You already have what s lot of people would kill for.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
So what I’m understanding: my reaction of driving hours upon hours and flying miles upon miles to make myself look dedicated for a job (and CONTINUING to do this to this day) makes you not want to come anywhere near my plane. Got it.
Speedymcspeeder@reddit
No. Complaining about it online and coming at people telling you the truth does. I went to a different continent to look for a job. You aren't special.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Clearly neither are you lol
Speedymcspeeder@reddit
I'd agree with that. That being said I have my forever pilot job and know a thing or two. Maybe listen and learn from people on here who have been through it rather than copping a poor me attitude and not accepting reality.
Muted-Rhubarb2143@reddit
Guess what the consequences are for not reacting perfectly in a stressful situation in the air are?
You covered the entire eastern half of the country. They all said no. It’s not the answer you want but it’s the answer you got.
thattogoguy@reddit
Have you considered the military? Your ratings might be very helpful for UPT.
sprulz@reddit
What answer would you like to hear?
Times are tough right now if you aren’t at the airlines. Plenty of pilots like you did everything right and couldn’t make it. The good news is that there is only one way to guarantee that you won’t make it, and that’s if you give up.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Redditors just really gotta work on their wording lol gotta love hearing i “washed out”
mav3r1ck92691@reddit
I understand your frustration with that comment, but you are in for a very rude awakening to the real, post-college world. You are in one of the most currently over saturated and competitive job markets on the planet, and they just went through a massive boom making it even harder right now.
You only wash out if you give up.
sprulz@reddit
I get it, this sub in particular likes to take the tough love thing to another level to where it becomes unhelpful. But what that commenter said is the (unfortunate) truth. And in all fairness, they aren’t saying that you have washed out so to speak, they’re saying that your only option right now is to keep trying until you financially cannot afford to keep trying anymore.
There is no secret tactic to making it in this industry other than to just keep showing up to flight schools, handing your resume to the front desk and hoping someone takes a chance on you. Then when you hit 1,500 hours you’ll spend all your money going to job fairs and doing the same thing for the airlines.
highflyer10123@reddit
Nothing wrong with what was said. Direct and real World.
storyinmemo@reddit
40% of all active CFI certs are minted in the last 3 years.
As an open full time job, it's becoming rare as hen's teeth. Aviation is very cyclical and it's at a very saturated point right now.
rtd131@reddit
I would guess 30-40% of that 40% will wash out especially if/when the US goes into a recession.
When the airlines start furloughing a lot of people are going to drop out. If you're a CFI from a pilot mill and you're $70k in debt, you're going to leave aviation not spend 3 years applying for a CFI job.
Eventually the aviation job market will reset. People who heard about the "pilot shortage" are going to hear about "airline furloughs"and there will be less people getting into the field. Which ironically if you're starting out is the best time to get in.
Zealousideal-Ad-2280@reddit
I was in the same boat. Live in California, no one was hiring. Expanded my search. Flew to Florida for two interviews. Ended up getting a CFII job in Alaska this past month and moving there.
Worried-Specialist-4@reddit
Ok, this is where you need to think outside the box. First of all get a bartending/waitressing job to pay the bills. Then you become the “BFR” specialist…for free. Post flyers at every FBO/hangar that doesn’t have an in house flight school. Get some t-shirts printed up with “ Will Fly For Free” or some funnier tagline. Make a social media page/video offering your services to any pilots who fly to your local area. Make fun of it, have a great attitude about it and you may meet the right person who connects you with your first job. You have nothing to lose here. My first break was getting hired as an intern at a corporate flight dept so their guys could take more vacation time off during the summer. Nobody was hiring at that time either so it was like a miracle.
Nellek87@reddit
Not sure if you’re wanting to come farther west but there’s opportunities out here in AZ. It’s competitive but there are definitely places I’ve heard that are hiring.
No-Foundation-8034@reddit
Im sorry who? Flight school i am at gets on average 30 resumes a week (for 0 openings)
KFFZ instituting landing fees isnt going to help the pilot training and thus CFI market.
Every club in the valley is full of CFIs trying to get just a few hours of dual given.
Unless you did all your training at the school and had connections with the owner / chief, it is quite impossible. Sorry to say but i doubt AZ is a good idea to burn cash on.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I’ll put it at the top of my list to email, thank you for the heads up!
November202025@reddit
What school did you train out of? Part 61 or 141?
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I trained a mix of both. So I have experience in both.
Dashsolpher1@reddit
Take a look at Air Force Aero Clubs. There are a handful of bases that have them, but they are a hidden gem for Flight Instructors. You are hired as a contractor, so you set you own hours and there are no benefits, but they are better than nothing, and they have good planes. You can start building time until something else shows up.
Source: I work at one in AK
Several-Village5814@reddit
Go watch that YouTube video that DPE made that keeps getting posted on Reddit. That will explain why.
Flaky_Summer_9800@reddit
I watched that video. It was pretty depressing even though he’s spot on. I wonder if I’m going to be one of those people who never make it.
TxAggieMike@reddit
I believe this is the video you speak of: Seth Lake, 2025 Airman Statistics
Several-Village5814@reddit
Thanks Mr.TX
Flaky_Summer_9800@reddit
People are either getting hired by the school that trained them, they know the right people, or sheer luck. It’s really only one of those options.
Extension_Exit_2407@reddit
I got extremely lucky.
Most of my friends I went through training together (who have more certs than me, most have CFI/CFII/MEI and I only have CFI/CFII), don’t have jobs.
Still can’t believe how lucky I am, people hate the CFI QOL but with the current market all you can do is take the opportunity and be so so so grateful. I moved across the country for this job which was a sacrifice but it was totally worth it!
Keep working it at! You’ll find a place in no time! Keep applying over and over. The place I work at now — I sent 3 resumes to them and like 10 emails until I finally got a response, and it was a no. Got my AGI and sent them a 4th resume and another email and finally got the answer I wanted. Now I average around 95 hours a month working for them!
You got this! Keep your head up :).
OkWorking3566@reddit
Auburn University is hiring
Jealous-Bat-6271@reddit
I'm in the same boat excpt I goofed pretty bad. I stopped training for my CFI-I after unsating during the oral. Went and got my multi but now don't have the funds to rent or retest for CFI-I. I'm just above 135 mins. I'm cooked, the dream is dead. Time to go to long haul trucking for a while to pay off the loan and then move on with life.
Texican84@reddit
There are more than a handful of CFI's at my flight school north of 1500 hours, and they all know they aren't anywhere close to getting hired in the current market. The newest CFI got every ticket at the same flight school, and he had to wait a year to get hired on as a CFI. He got a job at a resort as a bartender to hold him over. It'll be a grind for the next few years, get your nose to that stone and wait it out.
Substantial_Dare_308@reddit
Be outstanding and have everybody know your name. Being average will never get you anything
twolfhawk@reddit
If youre in fl and got a plane...ill pay ya to help me finish...
littlewolf5@reddit
if you consider missouri easten US, that might be the problem
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I didn’t say that. I MAINLY have applied on the Eastern part of the US, but I have applied as far as Missouri as of right now. MO is not eastern America??
Human-Iron9265@reddit
Midwest is what Missouri is classified as. I know its dumb that someone felt the need to nit pick that on this post, but on reddit you can’t expect to not get responses from a few pricks.
NationalLaw478@reddit
Well I know you didn’t try everywhere, because my old flight school in FL is hiring. I refuse to give anyone the name because it’s absolute hell, and I genuinely hope they fail.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Does it happen to be in Northeast FL?
LycomingO235@reddit
Roughly where at in FL?
stupidpotato_77@reddit
I got extremely lucky by casting the widest net ever.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
That’s what I’m hoping to keep doing. I ain’t stopping until every school has been visited or cold emailed.
stupidpotato_77@reddit
Got my CFI gig by pure luck after a year of searching. Just keep chugging and something will eventually land on your plate. I know there’s a lot of pessimism out there. But keep going.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
So real about the pessimism jeez lol this comment section has made me feel so great 🫠
stupidpotato_77@reddit
I’m not saying they’re wrong. But Reddit is also filled with pricks too.
Fight_Or_Flight_FL@reddit
Gotta hangar stalk. Go to maintenance shops on nearby airports and chat them up. Ask questions about how such and parts work. "What does the inside of a prop governor look like?" "Best oil for Lycoming engines this time of year?" "Tidbits like that. Tell them you're a curious CFI/I looking to improve your knowledge. I've gotten quite a bit of independent work this way. The mechanics most likely know way more owner pilots on the field than the flight school. Plus you actually can learn something valuable that you can teach to your students. Plus many A&Ps are pilots themselves and maybe want flight instruction too or a flight review.
LlamaBunyon@reddit
6 months ago, I lost a CFI job that I moved across the country to get (went out of business). At that point I was a 2 year CFI, had 1300+ hrs, over 1000 of which were dual given and multiple checkride passes. I did basically the same thing as you, applied all over the country to CFI and non CFI jobs alike, went in person to shake hands and hand over my resume to all the flight schools within a few hours drive. All I could muster up in weeks of applying to jobs full time was about 3 rejection emails. I don't mean this in a disrespectful way because I know it sucks, but if my resume isn't even worth getting a tbnt, yours probably won't be for the foreseeable future. The only actionable step I can recommend is find the most affordable plane in your area and split time in it as much as you can afford. I got to ATP mins by moving back in with my parents and spending all my savings and income from non flying jobs on renting a 152 at a local club. Getting through the first 5 years of my aviation career has been extremely humbling. Buckle up, you're in this for the long haul my friend.
Mercury4stroke@reddit
You gotta keep looking. As cliche and stupid as that sounds. I just made a post earlier today about entry level jobs and there was a good reply about not coming off as a dick (which I’m sure you already know) but you have to get on these people. Would you consider working the ramp or dispatch at any of these outfits? Just showing them that you’re interested in helping them in some other way might miraculously make a job appear… literally anything to set yourself apart from the hundreds of resumes that are just like yours
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I was actually working ramp for a bit lol it’s funny you say that. But yes, like I said, I’ve fully paid for flights out of state to visit schools, I’ve driven up to 8 hours away just to hand in resumes in person (I have a friend in Georgia I stay with). I’m literally trying to do the most I can possibly do to show I’m willing to put in the work to get hired.
Mercury4stroke@reddit
Ah so you’ve done the road trip and no luck. I was in a similar situation for the last year almost (not including the 40 hours I got all season from skydiving) and it’s absolutely horrible.
If you’re ok with moving away, why not try Alaska? In Canada the bush/up north is another avenue to explore with a few entry level positions at certain operations.
The job I just got was because I called at the right time and someone who deals with hiring picked up the phone and he knew my chief pilot at skydiving. Such a random thing but it was luck in the end…
I believe you’ll find something. You’ve come this far and giving up now would be an extreme betrayal of your past self who’s worked so hard to get to this point.
Try leveraging any non flying experience you may have when you talk to these people. Skydiving seemed to really like the fact that I was a truck driver lol.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
How is the flight training experience in Canada? I’m just curious because I have multiple friends who literally moved to the states to get away from what was (apparently, I don’t know, this is just what they said) a horrible flight training system. I’m not all familiar with non-US training lol so forgive my ignorance.
Mercury4stroke@reddit
It’s pretty much the same. We have similar predatory ATP-esque schools (I spent 2 years at one) but the weather is a whole lot worse than where you are. Weather delays will annihilate your time during the winter. If you fly 5 times between late December and early March you’re lucky.
What exactly is the “system” they’re talking about? You guys have lazy eights and stuff and we have spins, otherwise it’s pretty similar. If we fail a ride it also doesn’t haunt us for the rest of our lives, although it’s best not to lie about it if you’re asked. Aside from that, based on what I know about you guys, it’s more or less the same. I could be wrong though, I don’t know the ins and outs.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I honestly have no idea what system they were discussing lol I’m not familiar with Canada in general tbh. Makes sense about the winter, I think that was part of the reason they came to the states as well
Mercury4stroke@reddit
It’s cold, icing to some degree cancels basically every training flight in the winter (including IFR because no FIKI on the 50 year old Seminole) and nobody can afford houses. That pretty much sums up everything you need to know about Canada. Looking back I would’ve gone to the states too.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
You’d probably be regretting it if you saw these gas prices right now 😂
Mercury4stroke@reddit
It’s $1.83 CAD per liter right now. About $7 CAD a gallon. It was around $8 a gallon a week ago. Converted to USD I think that’s like $5 a gallon. Similar no?
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
More 😭 it’s as high as $7 in some places
Accomplished_Good792@reddit
Its rough, but at least you're only 22. I just got my CFI cert and I'm 35. Started training in 2021. Had another career, took my time. Unfortunately, I'm in the boat that bought high, sell low.
Keep your head up. This industry has had way worse downturns, and it wasnt long ago FO's at regionals were on food stamps for 10+ yearss
ForearmDeep@reddit
I would recommend looking at jobs that aren’t CFI jobs, things like pipeline patrol or parachute jumpers. See if there’s volunteer flying that you can do here or there too. Worse comes to worst, there’s a million jobs that pay better than CFI that you could work while buying your own proficiency hours on the side until you can put your certs to use. That last one is very viable if your parents are kind enough to let you stay at home with them for cheap while you make it work too
EezyBake@reddit
You could front desk at a school and build connections, wait till someone leaves. Didn’t work for me but may for you
woodierceaser4@reddit
Gave up on looking, I’m just time building and working a normal job lmao
Muted-Rhubarb2143@reddit
Time building out of pocket is not viable.
Fantastic_Serve_8016@reddit
It can be a bit easier if you do it in a 150 or an old taildragger with a safety pilot so you both can log at half the cost. I know it’s still not cheap, but it is one method to make it more affordable.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I wish I had that luxury
Alarmed-Map7052@reddit
I know my local flying club is always looking to hire CFI and especially CFII we only have 3 CFII currently and they are all leaving soon for the airlines. DM me and we can chat more.
BasilProfessional09@reddit
It was a rough market as well during Covid when I was looking for jobs. I was being picky at first only looking at LCOL good training areas like Arizona Texas and Florida.
Turns out it’s the HCOL areas that usually need instructors. Look into LA and the Bay Area
Mrs_Fagina@reddit
It’s shitty. I called this in 2023-2024 watching every eligible person starting their PPL.
When you get generational runs like just happened, there are winners and losers. It’s never zero sum.
In business, it’s called a First mover advantage. First in are now 3-4 year seniority at legacies.
The ones that trail get to hold the bag when everything dries up.
It’s not your fault. You bought into the hype right when everyone else did. Bought Bitcoin at $100k when first movers had it at $500.
They’re millionaires and you’re down 30%. Doesn’t mean it’ll last forever, but I do wish I had a more silver lining to paint for you.
Several-Village5814@reddit
I like your bitcoin analogy 😂
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I actually didn’t “buy into the hype”, I just got unlucky enough to be eligible to begin PPL training just as everyone else started, I’ve wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. 2023 is only when I had enough money to actually start.
Mrs_Fagina@reddit
yea you got handed a shit sandwich. Sucks dude. No one here will have any sort of actionable advice. Just do your best. You're in an oversaturated market.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Yeah that’s the conclusion I’m starting to draw unfortunately. Just a bunch of horrific luck lol
imblegen@reddit
My flight school liked me from when I was a student, so when we had a few instructors leave for the airlines, I got asked if I wanted to interview. Some times you just know the right people, are in the right place at the right time, or you just get lucky. If you have to get another job to pay the bills in the meantime, do that, but otherwise, keep at it the way you have been.
highflyer10123@reddit
The place where I work part time just hired two or three CFIs. All from resumes that they have on file. Basically all from ‘if you have a resume we will take it’. It’s a lot easier to put your resume on file compared to if a school starts hiring and they put out an ad. A lot less competition that way.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Makes sense. Hence why I’ve just been trying to give everyone I can a resume lol
NevadaCFI@reddit
I just interviewed a CFI candidate today. So a few places at least are looking. In our case, you would need high DA or mountain experience in Pipers. Most of our CFIs stick around so hiring is not an on-going thing.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Nearly all my training was in Pipers and I started off in VA so plenty of mountain experience (nothing crazy, but definitely something we had to always account for).
NevadaCFI@reddit
Sent you a PM.
ResortNo7247@reddit
I got lucky, I got hired internally by my school after I got all my ratings there. After I got in I asked how many other people had applied for that position, it was about 50 people all trying to get that one CFI opening. It’s a really brutal job market right now, I think around half of my original CFI class never got hired.
BagOfMoneyNoChange@reddit
Cast your net even wider.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
Like I said in my post, I’m actively on making my way through the west coast.
BagOfMoneyNoChange@reddit
So keep going. Look for other jobs besides instruction. Join Women In Aviation.
Keep going.
throwawayW35654@reddit (OP)
I’ve been in WAI for 4 years lol they’re one of the conferences I go to.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I (22F) got my CFI in October and my CFII in December of 2025 and have been applying to jobs since before I was even certified. And no one is hiring. I mean no one. I’ve cold emailed about every flight school in the eastern U.S. (as far as Missouri, working on emailing further west) and I’ve quite literally walked myself into just about every flight school in Florida and Georgia, asked if they were hiring, and every response thus far has been “no but if you have a resume we’ll take it!” I’ve gone to conferences. I’ve flown 6 hours away out of state for two interviews (was extended an offer for both and both ended up falling through for purposes they said/proved were not my fault). And yes, I looked at the flight school I graduated from and while they only hire internally, they require 6 months of experience (what?) before hiring.
One of the 2 schools I did hear back from, I completed and interview with, they extended the job offer, then closed their doors 2 weeks later (just my luck) without even informing anyone, let alone little old me. I keep hitting brick wall after brick wall and I’m genuinely feeling so discouraged about it, as I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. I’m kind of at a loss for what to do, and I don’t really have the funds to put into plane rental, so I’m starting to get worried about my proficiency. I might see if I can try to go rent sometime this next month but I’ve been out of work for training and might have to ask for help funding it.
Does anyone have any advice for tactics that worked? Please, I’m desperate and running out of money fast. Thank you in advance.
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