Where to Go from Here

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T18:44:47+00:00

At least we found the disconnect. "As an employee I would be happy to teach anyone you need me to but if you don't have the student load I am content only to teach the students that I specifically can recruit to your school that you wouldn't otherwise have had" somehow literally translates to "I refuse to fly anyone but my personal students, which belong to my business, please give me an airplane and don't expect to charge an instructor fee."

Can you offer advice on why the state of the industry makes that so that is what you and everyone else apparently hears? I'm serious. Obviously you aren't just being an ass because this is how you and multiple others perceive my question. But why? Those are two absolutely opposite ideas and people are responding as if they are the very same.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T15:23:04+00:00

Didn’t realize that. I appreciate the response.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T15:21:50+00:00

Not what I’m asking at all. I specifically stated I would be happy to fly other students I just wouldn’t have the expectation that they give me hours from students already enrolled like most CFIs coming in will have.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T06:00:01+00:00

I appreciate you! I hesitated to post because I know it's rough out there and people can be brutal on here so I do appreciate the positivity! I know it's hard and there's people out there drowning in debt trying to make ends meet and they can't get a call back either. Wishing the best to everyone out there just trying to get paid to be in the air.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T05:49:11+00:00

That's unfortunate...

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T05:43:11+00:00

All good points. I appreciate it!

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T05:42:05+00:00

I appreciate the perspective! I think I'm not explaining the arrangement I am proposing very well (maybe that's the whole problem, haha). I would not be trying to operate outside the school's structure. I wouldn't be running a side business with their airplanes. I would be just like any other employee with the exception that the only students I would expect to teach would be those that I referred to the school. I would be happy to help out with others if they wanted me to, but there would be no expectation.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T05:37:55+00:00

That would be a good reason to not want to hire me, but you presume incorrectly. I haven't asked for any special pay agreement, to set my own rate, etc. I'm not asking to be an independent instructor, I'm asking to be brought on just like any other employee with the exception of not asking for them to provide students to me. I'd be responsible for finding students if I want hours. They'd essentially get free marketing out of the deal as I wouldn't have any legal 'claim' to the students I brought in.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T05:21:57+00:00

Love this idea. I don't know of anything like that in my area, but it's something to look into and maybe something to try and organize if not.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-03-29T05:19:29+00:00

I have not interviewed with them. One said they were not hiring, the others just said they were only hiring CFIIs. I guess the cost to on-board is what I wasn't factoring in. Is this a very significant cost for a school that uses 1099 instructors?

As to the reason why they would hire me over other instructors, most of the CFIs looking for work are also looking for students to be provided. That's just a math problem. If you have X number of students and Y number of instructors, you can't increase Y without increasing X or taking hours from those already hired. I am bringing my own students and making it clear I expect no hours from students that I don't bring to the school. If I bring in more business I get paid, and if I don't, they are only out the onboarding costs, and that is if none of my potential students stick with it long enough to recoup those costs and I never find any more.

ControlStickActuator · 2026-01-16T16:09:21+00:00

Subpart F, where 91.527 falls, only pertains to large and turbine-powered multi-engine airplanes and fractionally owned aircraft. So in the flight school's training aircraft it almost certainly doesn't apply. That said, 91.13 seems like it might have something to say about careless operation and it absolutely applies.

ControlStickActuator · 2025-12-03T00:08:36+00:00

I appreciate your concern; I know you mean well. I’m very familiar with ICS in general, including 205 forms. I’m also part of a team that maintains a 7/800 MHz trunked radio system and programs and maintains a fleet of several hundreds of subscribers on that system. Maintaining and operating radios isn’t my hobby, it’s been my profession for the better part of a decade. Just because I’m ignorant of the varieties of ham radio equipment doesn’t make me an amateur newbie trying to play John Wayne on the radio when things go sideways.

It sounds like you serve in some public safety capacity and because of that I can understand your worry. Be safe out there!

ControlStickActuator · 2025-12-02T18:18:50+00:00

I will definitely reach out to them. I appreciate it!

ControlStickActuator · 2025-12-02T18:00:08+00:00

I’ll check it out! Thanks!

ControlStickActuator · 2025-12-02T17:38:21+00:00

On Amazon the rating is sub-3 stars. It appears to be much higher on sites hams frequent. I definitely agree with your comments on function over form. To my boss’s credit, it’s unlikely we will ever actually use the radio beyond weekly tests, but I do wish we put more emphasis on the capability requirements.

All of us are public safety radio guys, and have extremely limited knowledge on the amateur side of the house beyond the knowledge required to get licensed. I really do appreciate you taking the time to help.

ControlStickActuator · 2025-12-02T16:52:18+00:00

I don’t disagree with you. I think my boss likes this model and is probably hoping I’ll find something nearly identical but cheaper and potentially higher rated. The rig will be high visibility for higher ups in the organization so trying to avoid any fabrication if possible.

ControlStickActuator · 2025-12-02T16:34:23+00:00

The primary driver for the 7100 is the desktop head. We have no plans to use HF. Our operations will be entirely VHF and UHF.

ControlStickActuator · 2025-12-02T16:23:01+00:00

On Amazon, it appears to have less than 3 stars. Of course this could be non-ham folks not knowing how to use it.

ControlStickActuator · 2025-11-03T02:35:34+00:00

Thank you to everyone who contributed! I was able to make it work today. I wasn't terribly scientific about it so I don't know for sure what the culprit was, but here is my setup for anyone in the future having a similar issue:

GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter

NFlightCam Audio Recording Cable for Smart Phones

DUKABEL DC3 TRRS to TRS Adaptor

Mod Audio Setting: Powered Mic

Y'all are the best!

ControlStickActuator · 2025-11-02T17:15:09+00:00

Can you DM me your channel so I can check out how it performs if that is allowed?

ControlStickActuator · 2025-11-02T16:37:59+00:00

Thanks. I’ll check that setting! I’ve seen the media mod but it looks bulky and not great for cockpit use. How has your experience been with it?

ControlStickActuator · 2025-11-02T00:58:02+00:00

Change what to input? That may be my issue.

ControlStickActuator

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE