Why are you becoming a CFI?
So as the title says-why are so many people continuing into CFI training when it appears it's next to impossible to get a job instructing anymore? I've seen so many posts here and other places about CFI's who can't find work despite going in and shaking hands with chief pilots and applying to 100+ opportunities.
The C172 I rent has a list of 26 CFI's checked out on it; I can't imagine adding myself to the list and becoming the 27th option. It's obviously very expensive & a significant amount of work to become a CFI, CFII, MEI. Is there no return on the investment?
I am considering starting my IFR training soon with career change ambitions. I'm a master electrician & the trades jobs are gone so I need something that has an actual barrier to entry; hence my interest in aviation.
Is becoming an instructor no longer a realistic option to build hours? What are low time pilots doing for work?
https://redd.it/1o26tqe
@r_aviation
So as the title says-why are so many people continuing into CFI training when it appears it's next to impossible to get a job instructing anymore? I've seen so many posts here and other places about CFI's who can't find work despite going in and shaking hands with chief pilots and applying to 100+ opportunities.
The C172 I rent has a list of 26 CFI's checked out on it; I can't imagine adding myself to the list and becoming the 27th option. It's obviously very expensive & a significant amount of work to become a CFI, CFII, MEI. Is there no return on the investment?
I am considering starting my IFR training soon with career change ambitions. I'm a master electrician & the trades jobs are gone so I need something that has an actual barrier to entry; hence my interest in aviation.
Is becoming an instructor no longer a realistic option to build hours? What are low time pilots doing for work?
https://redd.it/1o26tqe
@r_aviation
Reddit
From the flying community on Reddit
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Putin says Russian air defenses responsible for Azerbaijani jet’s crash last year, killing 38
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/09/europe/putin-azerbaijan-jet-crash-intl
https://redd.it/1o29eqa
@r_aviation
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/09/europe/putin-azerbaijan-jet-crash-intl
https://redd.it/1o29eqa
@r_aviation
CNN
Putin says Russian air defenses responsible for Azerbaijani jet’s crash last year, killing 38
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia’s air defense were to blame for downing an Azerbaijani jetliner in December that killed 38 people, his first admission of responsibility for the crash in an effort to ease tensions between the neighbors.
Found a Polish MiG-21 on a USMC bombing range and I am hoping someone can help me figure out its history
https://redd.it/1o2g511
@r_aviation
https://redd.it/1o2g511
@r_aviation
Reddit
From the aviation community on Reddit: Found a Polish MiG-21 on a USMC bombing range and I am hoping someone can help me figure…
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Operational Control: The Real Cornerstone of Legal vs. Illegal Flights
Ask any commercial pilot applicant if a flight is legal, and chances are the first thing they’ll bring up is “holding out.” While that matters, it isn’t the foundation. The real cornerstone of commercial flying is operational control (OpCon)—who has the authority to start, conduct, and end a flight.
What is Operational Control?
The FAA defines it in 14 CFR 1.1 as:
“Operational control—with respect to a flight, means the exercise of authority over initiating, conducting or terminating a flight.”
Sounds simple, but in practice it isn’t. Determining who actually has OpCon takes careful thought.
Why it matters
OpCon is what tells us who is ultimately responsible for a flight’s safety and legality. Sometimes that’s the PIC—but in commercial operations, it’s often a separate person or entity employing the crew.
OpCon only really becomes critical when passengers or property are being transported. A common area of confusion is in flight schools: instructors often ask “who has OpCon?” In truth, the school usually retains many elements of it, with the CFI acting as their agent. For pure training flights, the distinction isn’t very important. But once transportation enters the equation, knowing exactly who holds OpCon—and ensuring they’re legally authorized—is essential.
If this topic interests you, I’ve written a full article with real-world scenarios where “legal” flights can slip into illegal charter through misunderstandings or abuse of OpCon. You can read the full piece here:
👉 Operational Control: Where Legal Flights Slip Into Illegal Charters
https://redd.it/1o2hfm0
@r_aviation
Ask any commercial pilot applicant if a flight is legal, and chances are the first thing they’ll bring up is “holding out.” While that matters, it isn’t the foundation. The real cornerstone of commercial flying is operational control (OpCon)—who has the authority to start, conduct, and end a flight.
What is Operational Control?
The FAA defines it in 14 CFR 1.1 as:
“Operational control—with respect to a flight, means the exercise of authority over initiating, conducting or terminating a flight.”
Sounds simple, but in practice it isn’t. Determining who actually has OpCon takes careful thought.
Why it matters
OpCon is what tells us who is ultimately responsible for a flight’s safety and legality. Sometimes that’s the PIC—but in commercial operations, it’s often a separate person or entity employing the crew.
OpCon only really becomes critical when passengers or property are being transported. A common area of confusion is in flight schools: instructors often ask “who has OpCon?” In truth, the school usually retains many elements of it, with the CFI acting as their agent. For pure training flights, the distinction isn’t very important. But once transportation enters the equation, knowing exactly who holds OpCon—and ensuring they’re legally authorized—is essential.
If this topic interests you, I’ve written a full article with real-world scenarios where “legal” flights can slip into illegal charter through misunderstandings or abuse of OpCon. You can read the full piece here:
👉 Operational Control: Where Legal Flights Slip Into Illegal Charters
https://redd.it/1o2hfm0
@r_aviation
Substack
Operational Control: Where Legal Flights Cross the Line
Forget Holding Out – Operational Control is More Important