Nunavut

Greetings all!

I am beginning training at FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach Florida this August. My current training schedule will take me up to CFI. After I have complete their program, I plan to flight instruct as my primary mean to build time and experience.

That being said, I was curious about the overall value of obtaining a CFI-I and an MEI. FS offers both of these, but they will obviously tack on additional time onto my training, and they are fairly expensive extras.

My question is this. Is there a value to having the CFI-I and MEI certificates? Would having those certs make one look more marketable to the majors in the future? Would the value of having them outweigh the additional cost and time, or is just a CFI sufficient?
I would sincerely appreciate any and all thoughts and opinions on this.
Thanks!

TiredSoul

You'll learn more about flying from flight instruction then you've ever learned in formal training.
Your CFII and MEI are priceless.
Apart from becoming a better pilot you'll also not have to pay for valuable IFR/IMC and ME time.
Also considering the following:
Each PPL student will get you 5-6 hrs of cross country. That's 100 private students trying to get to 500 XC.
An instrument student will add 5-6 hrs of XC time on an IFR flight plan and some IMC.
A CPL student will add another 4-5.
MEI is the most dangerous form of flight instruction but it will hone your ME/SE skills.
You'll see this back during sim training at your next employer.

Nunavut

TiredSoul,

Thank you so much for the insight.
The school is asking:
- $6,218.75 for CFII
- $9,508.50 for MEI

Per the proposals they provided, it seems that these will be part 61 rather then 141 (does that matter?)

~Nunavut

TiredSoul

That seems a lot for MEI, how is that broken down?

Nunavut

Multi-Engine (PA-44 G-500 Series) - Part 61 Planned Duration:4 weeks

I.FLIGHT EVALUATION FOR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCESingle-Engine (Warrior III) - Part 61
10.0@$27.00G-500 Avionics Course - $270.00
5.0@$259.50Dual Flight Piper Warrior III G-500 Series - $1,297.50
6.0@$65.00Flight Briefing - $390.00
Total:$1,957.50

II.ADDITIONAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RATING AIRPLANE MULTI-ENGINEMulti-Engine (PA-44 G-500 Series) - Part 61

12.0@$417.50Dual Flight Piper Seminole (G-500 Series) - $5,010.00
12.0@$65.00Flight Briefing - $780.00
FAA Examining - $600.00
2.0 hrs. @ $355.50/hr Airplane Rental (estimated) - $711.00
Total:$7,101.00

III.ADDITIONAL FEES AND ESTIMATED COSTS
Drug Testing Fee - $100.00
Books & Supplies (Projected) - $350.00
Total:$450.00


MEI Training Total:$9,508.50

dera

Wow. Ripoff much?

renaissance2008

And I thought this one was bad (granted you get twice the hours):

Training Requirements (By MINIMUM FAA Standards for 141):

In a Piper Seminole PA-44 180T

Study Kit: $310.95 (Jeppesen Kit contains CFI, CFII, and MEI Courses)
Dual: 25 Hours @ $255 / Hr (See Aircraft Page N90PA)
Instructor-Flight: 20 Hours @ $59 / Hr
Instructor-Ground: 20 Hours @ $49 / Hr
Medical: $75 (Valid for two years regardless of license sought)
Renter’s Insurance: $225 (Valid for one year regardless of aircraft rented)
FAA Examiner Fee: $600
Misc Books and Charts: $100

Total: $9,845.95

TiredSoul

Somebody needs to explain the reason for a $2000 "assessment"

And since when is a drug test a FAR requirement for an MEI addition?
So that's down to $7000.
I'd find a school where you can do your MEI on credit while you work as a CFI.
They take $600/month off the bill every month you work as a CFI.

Flightcap

There's a guy with an ancient Aztec in Cadillac, Michigan that does weekend multi-engine ratings for dirt cheap. You might see if he does the MEI.

Flightcap

Their CFII also seems a little steep. You should be able to get the CFI-I without spending that much.