Originally Posted by
STR8NLVL
Ninja - I'd encourage you to go to your FBO and ask the local CFI's at the airport where you're working for free how many hours they're getting and what kind of money they're making for the last couple of months. Maybe when you see that while an extra 20-30 bucks a month might be chump change to you, it's the difference between Ramen noodles and PBJ for a guy starving to pay his dues so he can move on. You may think the few students you're teaching aren't enough to make a difference, but I guarantee they would be a big difference to the starving CFI at your local FBO from whom you're stealing clients. The reason no one can earn a living as a full time CFI is because whenever they try to justify charging more for their services some douche bag comes along giving the same services for free. If you want to help the profession, provide extraordinary instruction at above average prices, driving up the wages while giving your students a bargain for their money. At the very least charge what the full time guys do and just be better. Otherwise, you're stealing from guys who depend on those students to survive.
+1
I guarantee that the schools at your airport are less than thrilled that you are teaching for free. Aviation works on notoriously thin profit margins and every student counts for flight schools, especially those in in more rural or low-activity airports. You are hurting their business.
To me the only people that should be taught how to fly for free are:
- Family members
- Very close friends (probably gonna need some barter if it is more than the occasional lesson)
- Things that are more charitable and giving back ie underprivileged kids, EAA young eagles
It really grinds my gears as someone who has worked as a full-time instructor at a smaller school that lived paycheck to paycheck when people say that they'll do it for free for fun, knowing how it affects others.
I have no problem with part-time CFIs, they're great and can be excellent teachers because many truly do enjoy it and stay with schools for a long-time (ie repeat business with BFRs, new ratings, referrals, etc). Just don't do it for free and besides who doesn't need a little extra beer money
