Costs of CFI, CFII, and MEI average costs
What is the typical cost of these ratings by itself, assuming the person has a commercial multi/single
|
Originally Posted by Captainfit
(Post 2932594)
What is the typical cost of these ratings by itself, assuming the person has a commercial multi/single
The CFI single engine land was my first achievement many years ago and it took me a couple months with a first time failure. First step is to obtain a super CFI (one who has 2+ years instructing) who enjoys teaching initial CFI applicants. In addition, I would take the certified ground instructor AGI and FOI (fundamentals of Instructing), The cost of the CGI rating is a couple hundred dollars (cost of written exams and books) with no oral or practical. The FOI will not have to be taken again for the CFI! It gives you the opportunity to learn how to teach by teaching ground school classes or your "super" CFI's students. You need lots of practice preparing and delivering lesson plans as well as answering student questions. Depending on your currency, you will probably need about 10 to 20 hours teaching from the right seat both private and commercial maneuvers. This will be dual instruction from your super CFI. There are designated examiners that can give the initial CFI checkride ranging in fees from $500 to $1000. If the FAA is available, they are free. This is a good starter then you can focus on the CFII and MEI. I'm shooting in the dark for costs but probably about $5K for the initial CFI, $2500 for the CFII and $5K for the MEI plus or minus a couple grand. Depends on your background! |
If you find a nice Part 61 school willing to combine CPL SE and your initial CFI.
No requirement to take your checkride from the LH seat so do your CPL ride as the warm up for your CFI. |
Just get your CFI & go instruct. You may or may not need to add anything to it, if so the school usually helps.
|
Originally Posted by sourdough44
(Post 2934634)
Just get your CFI & go instruct. You may or may not need to add anything to it, if so the school usually helps.
|
Originally Posted by 155mm
(Post 2932665)
There are designated examiners that can give the initial CFI checkride ranging in fees from $500 to $1000. If the FAA is available, they are free.
|
Originally Posted by SSlow
(Post 2936572)
Definitely go with the DPE on this one even though you'll have to pony up the $$$. Stay away from the FAA as it could very well take a month or two to get on their schedule and then who knows what will happen after that.
I've know FSDO feds who hated doing GA checkrides so much that they intentionally cultivated a reputation for brutality... very rare for any applicants to make it to the flight test. If they somehow passed the oral, they would fail something on the pre-flight walkaround (ex. loose rivet). Had a couple students burned because they wanted to save the $. After I TOLD them what was going to happen :rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by rickair7777
(Post 2936737)
This.
I've know FSDO feds who hated doing GA checkrides so much that they intentionally cultivated a reputation for brutality... very rare for any applicants to make it to the flight test. If they somehow passed the oral, they would fail something on the pre-flight walkaround (ex. loose rivet). Just pay for the DPE and get it over with. |
Originally Posted by 155mm
(Post 2932665)
It's really difficult to quote a price on any of these ratings! It really depends on your experience although, there are schools that will state a price.
The CFI single engine land was my first achievement many years ago and it took me a couple months with a first time failure. First step is to obtain a super CFI (one who has 2+ years instructing) who enjoys teaching initial CFI applicants. In addition, I would take the certified ground instructor AGI and FOI (fundamentals of Instructing), The cost of the CGI rating is a couple hundred dollars (cost of written exams and books) with no oral or practical. The FOI will not have to be taken again for the CFI! It gives you the opportunity to learn how to teach by teaching ground school classes or your "super" CFI's students. You need lots of practice preparing and delivering lesson plans as well as answering student questions. Depending on your currency, you will probably need about 10 to 20 hours teaching from the right seat both private and commercial maneuvers. This will be dual instruction from your super CFI. There are designated examiners that can give the initial CFI checkride ranging in fees from $500 to $1000. If the FAA is available, they are free. This is a good starter then you can focus on the CFII and MEI. I'm shooting in the dark for costs but probably about $5K for the initial CFI, $2500 for the CFII and $5K for the MEI plus or minus a couple grand. Depends on your background! |
My question now is, would joining a regional carrier that pays for your CFI ratings be a wise decision? Or go ahead and get your own money together, so you ultimately can have a choice on which carrier you would like to work for once they have their hours?
|
Originally Posted by Captainfit
(Post 2937051)
My question now is, would joining a regional carrier that pays for your CFI ratings be a wise decision? Or go ahead and get your own money together, so you ultimately can have a choice on which carrier you would like to work for once they have their hours?
|
Originally Posted by Captainfit
(Post 2937051)
My question now is, would joining a regional carrier that pays for your CFI ratings be a wise decision? Or go ahead and get your own money together, so you ultimately can have a choice on which carrier you would like to work for once they have their hours?
Also, I did my initial CFI for less than $1,500 (including DPE fee). I worked part time helping out at a “Part 141” (we were really just Part 61 that happened to have a part 141 cert, and used an online ground school). Anyways. I worked part time there, so I got a discount on airplane rental, and I made friends with the instructors there. So, they’d give me free instruction, and go do maneuvers with me for free. I just had to pay for the plane. As far as the ground stuff went. I’d just show up at the school and practice on the white board. When instructors would come back from flights, I’d ask if they could critique my lessons. It took me about 2 months though. I wish I had stayed and did this same thing with my CFII. But I believed if I went to a school in Florida, I could get it done quick and cheap. I went to Epic for their fast track CFII course. But in reality, I spent WAY more than I did at my old school, and it still, took me 1.5 months. Way more stress too. It wasn’t worth it. |
Mesa offers a program where they take money from your bonus, and give it to you for your CFI. I believe PSA does as well.
|
Originally Posted by Captainfit
(Post 2932594)
What is the typical cost of these ratings by itself, assuming the person has a commercial multi/single
|
Originally Posted by SSlow
(Post 2936964)
Exactly what happened to me. It took over a month to get the checkride scheduled, and when the day finally came I was handed a letter of discontinuance and a ferry permit to get home because the TSO stamps on the seat belts were faded, among other petty things.
Just pay for the DPE and get it over with. |
Originally Posted by nate5ks
(Post 2940102)
Wow, what FSDOs were doing this?
Most of these are very small % of the total, but that is some background on where/why it may happen. |
Are some FSDO’s still like this? Back when I took my CFII as my initial I had two 8 hour orals that ended in failures... I haven’t heard of this happening in a long time though and mine were from 2008.
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:21 PM. |
User Alert System provided by
Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Website Copyright ©2000 - 2017 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands