Meet Ian Rodriguez | Flight Instructor & Cargo Pilot

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ian Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ian, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It all simply started with making an Instagram page so that I could market myself as an instructor. I wanted to make sure I set myself up for success to have students and it somewhat worked. I have been able to be an independent CFI for several years now.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My “business” as small as it is started out simply to attract more students and brand myself as an independent flight instructor. What sets me apart is my genuine passion for instructing and my dedication to continue doing for the rest of my career. Most CFI’s complete their ATP minimums so that they can move on to the airlines or a different career and then never instruct again. Many pilots do not enjoy instructing… at least not enough to do it for the rest of their life. My students know I love it and its one reason why they like working with me. I am most proud of the students that I get to work with from a student pilot all the way to airlines. It is really uplifting being with someone for their whole training journey. However, the instructing journey is not always easy. Long hours, missing meals, twisted sleep schedules, not being paid for all hours that you show up are in your future as a CFI, but at least its good preparation for what you will experience at the airlines or the cargo world! I overcame these challenges with just keeping eventually asking my students to work with me on a schedule that would be healthy for me. I had to set boundaries for myself. This is a must. If you don’t, you could easily burnout. If there was one thing I wanted anyone to take away from my work is that I genuinely want to help and be involved in the aviation community. My priority is not making money first. If it were, my rate would be much higher than $30 an hour and I wouldn’t give so many freebies for my time, but I see it as giving back and providing an opportunity for those who might otherwise not be able to pursue aviation. I want to see more pilots in the world. I am hoping what I am doing can ultimately culminate into creating grants and non profits that sponsor students and future pilots.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Nashville, Tennessee so here would be my itinerary for a week in the area. Take a helicopter ride over downtown first night in. Then go down to broadway and check out the bars and clubs such as Acme Feed & Seed, 5th & Broadway, Roberts Western World to get that out of the way. Even if you don’t drink there is plenty of live music, great food, and things to explore. If its the summer, take a kayak or boat around Percy Priest Lake or the Cumberland River then pedal taverns later. Check out the Country Music Hall of Fame on day 3 and relax at any of the parks (Centennial, Shelby Bottom, or Radnor). Go to a Predators hockey game because they are a blast. Go to Zanies comedy club for a good laugh. Eat a fancy dinner at House of Cards for a magic show while you eat. Go to a concert either at the Grand Old Opry, The Ryman Auditorium, or The Brooklyn Bowl. Nashville has got music at every corner but these venues have some class acts. As far as food, you have to try these places at least once: Hattie B’s, Prince’s, The Pancake Pantry, Biscuit Love, Slim & Husky’s, The Pharmacy, Stay Golden, Crema, Pinewood Social, Jack Brown’s, Thai Phooket, and any others that locals recommend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the support of my parents. My family introduced the possibility of aviation to me. That is huge because I encounter so many people even still that tell me they never even realized flying planes is an option that exists. Sometimes it just takes being enlightened to see where you can go. After them, my students deserve a ton of credit. Without their trust in me as a CFI, I would not have been able to reach an airline or cargo career. I chose the instructing route not sure if I would be any good, and thank goodness the students liked working with me and I continued to be referred. Thanks to my students success, I was able to succeed.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenashvillepilot/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealnashvillepilot

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW7FCAXtN8f7vdMLvqRRU8w

Image Credits
Collin Nixon