College of Aviation
Man walking in front of plane fleet

Why CFI at WMU

Apply now!

About

Over the course of its 85 year history, the College of Aviation has grown into a world renowned program with a prodigious industry reputation. With over 1200 resident undergraduate students, the College of Aviation is recognized as one of largest aviation program in the United States and with its fleet of 32 Cirrus SR20 G7, 9 Piper Seminole, 1 Piper Super Cub, 1 Super Decathlon it is home to the largest flight schools in the mid-west. Additionally, the College of Aviation offers the only comprehensive aviation program at a public university in Michigan, making the College of Aviation a powerful force in the future of aviation training.

City of Battle Creek

Community Opportunities and Options

In addition to working at the College of Aviation, Certified Flight Instructors have the benefit of living in the Battle Creek/Kalamazoo area.  Battle Creek is located in Calhoun County, and is the home of Western Michigan University's College of Aviation.  The city is also the birthplace of Cornflakes, offering many additional amenities such as: lots of green spaces, the Binder Park Zoo, great golf options, and many tremendous restaurants.  Western Michigan University's main campus is housed in Kalamazoo.  The city offers trails, parks, and a walkable downtown with many great food and drink options.  In Kalamazoo, you get to enjoy big city excitement, with a twist of easy-going comfort!
Visit Battle Creek Discover Kalamazoo
  • Commercial single-engine land certificate 
  • Single engine airplane flight instructor certificate 
  • Instrument flight instructor knowledge exam passed 
  • Serious candidates will have their instrument instructor rating 

Program

  • Third largest collegiate aviation program in the United States
  • Part 141 Curricula
  • Highly regulated program makes an easy transition to the airlines
  • TCO: Training Course Outline Comprehensive Part 141
  • Dedicated support staff with years of industry knowledge
  • Motivated Students - future professional pilots 

Location

  • Train in uncongested airspace
  • Near complex airspace, such as KDTW and KMDW
  • Southwest Michigan offers ever changing weather and elements
  • Tight-knit community and like-minded peers 

Aircraft 

  • 32 Cirrus SR20 G7s
  • 10 Piper Seminoles
  • 1 American Champion Super Decathlon
  • 1 Piper Supercub on Amphibious Floats
  • 4 FRASCA Cirrus G7 simulators with a complete cockpit and 3 projectors that provide a 12 foot tall, 220-degree wrap-around screen
  • 1 FRASCA Piper Seminole simulator

Cirrus SR20 Generation 7

With 32 of these aircraft, the WMU’s College of Aviation possesses one of the largest fleets of Cirrus in the world, and was the first fleet customer for the Generation 7. The TRAC20 G7 is an advanced, high-performance aircraft constructed primarily of composite materials and designed to be aerodynamically efficient. 

The SR20 is FAA certified for day, night, VFR, and IFR flight.

Piper Seminole 

The Piper Seminole provides students with an opportunity to gain multi-engine and instrument flying experieplatform. WMU maintains a late model fleet and all but two of the Seminole's are equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit avionics suite. The remaining two are fully glass cockpit equipped with Avidyne Entegra avionics.

College Specific

  • Pay during indoctrination training
  • Free proficiency time in aircraft and state-of-the-art simulation
  • Reduced prices for pilot training
  • Aircraft rental privileges
  • Paid FAA medical
  • Free sea-plane training after 1,500 hours dual given
  • Assistance with CFI renewal 
  • $23/hour as an initial instructor/intern
  • $28/hour after 350 hours of instruction given at WMU (and having instrument instructor rating) 
  • $33/hour as a Multi-Engine and/or Super Decathlon instructor
  • $33/hour as a Check Instructor
  • $35/hour as an Advanced Check Instructor
  • $23/hour for Duty Time

*Pay rates reflect compensation as a WMU employee (W-2).  WMU CFIs are not independent contractors (IRS 1099 Form).  Income earned as a W-2 employee is not subject to self-employment tax, which can result in significant tax savings.

  • CFII
  • Opportunity to earn your Multi-Engine Instructor rating
  • Free sea-plane training with 1,500 billable hours 
  • With over 700 flight science majors, there is no shortage of students! Current instructors have up to 8 students 
  • Consistent incoming freshman classes of ~200 students
  • Opportunity to fly Monday through Saturday, year round
  • WMU Flight Instructors average over 50-60 billable hours a month
  • University holidays guaranteed off 
  • Separate department dedicated to recruiting new flight students
  • Multiple airlines, corporate aviation companies, and the U.S. military are on campus each month, providing networking opportunities 
  • Access to WMU Career Fairs, such as Aviation Outlook Day 
  • Delta Propel Partner 
  • United Aviate Partner