So, I recently finished up my CFI, CFII, and MEI.... I had been talking with my old flight school where I got my private, and kept in touch with them about my training and how I want to come back and instruct for them. So since I have all my certificates, I went back into their office, sat down and established I'm going to have to do some 141 aircraft checkouts. ok no problem. they said maybe about 4 hours or so depending on how well I do. 2hrs for G1000, and 2 for 172 RG (i have 0 hrs)... So i been reading up on their SOP's.. go back in the office to clarify a couple things. OH yea. I have to pay for the checkouts. ?????? at $180/hr for the 172 SP's.... I just cant afford that. flight training all the way through your MEI isnt cheap either!! is this normal?? do most flight schools want you to pay for your own checkout??? and demand at least $800 worth???s

 

I wouldn't pay for their required OJT, especially in today's market!

 

absolutely not and no way.

I would not ever pay to get checked out for a position as a CFI. They must be the lone rangers in the flight school world because alot of schools not only pay to check you out but pay you a sign on bonus. There are umpteen million schools that will not charge you to check out. The only situation where this may be worth it is if you will average over 100 hours per month, make your own schedule and get paid 30+ per flight hour then I would consider it.

Where I work I got checked out in the 172N's, 172SP's,172 G1000, 182S,182 G1000, PA28, PA28R, PA44 and they paid for it. Why? because they need me to instruct for them and if they dont check me out then I cant instruct and after ive been there 6 months it pays for itself. They will also pay for me to rent the planes to maintain instrument and night currency if needed.

You deserve better than that. Set the bar higher

 

They are probably required to so a standardization ride with under the 141 certificate, although this is the cost of doing business!

No way I would agree to pay for this, NO WAY!

Find a cordial and polite (but firm) way to voice your opposition, if you get any push back or they are unwilling to yield know that there are plenty of places that need CFI's.

 

I know the 141 school that I want to work for (WMU) if you come in with just your CFI they will give you 4 hrs to get your CFII in the cirrus, and as much time in the sim as you would need I think... then every semester you would get 2 hrs to get current. All of the standardition in the planes and how they want you to teach in their planes is paid for. You worked for what you've got, now they have to pay for you to work for them! I would say find somewhere else...

There are many flight schools that want CFI/I, MEI's. Flight schools need pilots just like the airlines cuz you know CFI's leave for airline jobs when the get the hours. If you want to move to michigan I know you could get a job flying the SR20/22 and possibly upgrade to PA44 or PA34 after you prove yourself as an instructor. (start at $17, up to $29 after 700 hrs at the school).

 

yea... my only thing is that i'm stuck here for another school year and this is the only place that has instruction within an hour every which way (well that's worth the drive) I just wanted to check and make sure this wasn't common and that it was indeed ridiculous. who knows...

I was wondering maybe just bail out for a semester and instruct for a coupl months and off to the airlines... finish school later????

 

Finish school now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I make it clearer than that?

 

I'll second that! I'll also agree that no flight school should be charging new hires to get checked out in their aircraft. That's the cost of doing business, and right now CFI's are in demand.

At the very maximum if they hold the line, I wouldn't personally be willing to pay for anything other than fuel on the flights. (And even that's a stretch).

 

Word.








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i want to so bad... and i really want this to work out but.... i dont have the money... right now i'm washing horse trailers and airplanes for the money, and i got bills to pay so i'm really just back to my old job... makin crap pay but i have to pay the bills... when will i earn $800 as a college student that i can just put out for my job