Does using a retired or presently flying professional corporate or airline pilot as instructor add to the cost of the program?
A. The answer is no. Most flight schools operate under the premise that you need 1200 hours and 100 hours of multi-engine experience to be considered by a regional airline. Flight schools will sell you a professional pilot program through CFI CFII MEI and then hire you as instructor if they have an opening to instruct the class behind you. You can build flight hours while being paid 8 or 9 dollars an hour as an instuctor. You do need a hundred hours of multi-engine time to qualify for airlines. The problem is that to teach as a multi-engine instructor, most insurance companies require 50 to 100 hours in the type aircraft you are going to instruct in. That means you have to buy some more multi-engine time to qualify as a multi-engine flight instructor. The airlines will interview and accept pilots with 500 to 600 hours, providing they have had the advanced turbine or regional jet transition course. Some of the top flight training programs in the country will offer you advanced training
