May be overpriced
03-13-2010 | 08:59 PM
#31
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: USAF
I should have clarified. The $11-$12k would include all three CFI ratings.
Regarding starting pay, the last company I was affiliated with started in the mid $30k's and topped out at just over $50K.
The target goal of any CFI candidate, aside from building time (we are all doing that to some degree or another), should be the motivation and desire to truely teach another person. The rewards are more intrinsic than extrinsic. Sadly, this is not case, more often than not. If one finds him or herself lacking this motivation, then he or she should not acquire the CFI ratings. It's not for everybody and it's nothing personal. Similar to persuing any other pilot credential. If one were to go into it with only the former in mind, then he or she will simply be fueling the fire of ignorance and misnomer which seems to be self-perpetuating at many flight schools at present. There are other ways of building time besides instruction. Not all of them are glamerous, but we all start from the bottom and work our way up. This applies to all of us.
Regarding starting pay, the last company I was affiliated with started in the mid $30k's and topped out at just over $50K.
The target goal of any CFI candidate, aside from building time (we are all doing that to some degree or another), should be the motivation and desire to truely teach another person. The rewards are more intrinsic than extrinsic. Sadly, this is not case, more often than not. If one finds him or herself lacking this motivation, then he or she should not acquire the CFI ratings. It's not for everybody and it's nothing personal. Similar to persuing any other pilot credential. If one were to go into it with only the former in mind, then he or she will simply be fueling the fire of ignorance and misnomer which seems to be self-perpetuating at many flight schools at present. There are other ways of building time besides instruction. Not all of them are glamerous, but we all start from the bottom and work our way up. This applies to all of us.
There is a condition going around Florida (and I'm sure other parts)... many pilots call it 'inbreeding' amongst CFIs: Basically when a student gets his/her CFI, they turn around and start instructing at a school with less than 300hrs of mostly 172 time. They've never really had much real-world experience... but they are proficient in their maneuvers (in a 172) and begin to teach other students. They don't instill some critical traits of being a pilot, which are outside the scope of maneuvers, etc. Those other students get their CFI, and the cycle continues. The 'older' CFIs with the same bad habits become check pilots... and the cycle gets worse, etc.
03-13-2010 | 09:06 PM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
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From: FAA 'Flight Check'
From what I've read, I wish more chief pilot/instructors thought like you do.
There is a condition going around Florida (and I'm sure other parts)... many pilots call it 'inbreeding' amongst CFIs: Basically when a student gets his/her CFI, they turn around and start instructing at a school with less than 300hrs of mostly 172 time. They've never really had much real-world experience... but they are proficient in their maneuvers (in a 172) and begin to teach other students. They don't instill some critical traits of being a pilot, which are outside the scope of maneuvers, etc. Those other students get their CFI, and the cycle continues. The 'older' CFIs with the same bad habits become check pilots... and the cycle gets worse, etc.
There is a condition going around Florida (and I'm sure other parts)... many pilots call it 'inbreeding' amongst CFIs: Basically when a student gets his/her CFI, they turn around and start instructing at a school with less than 300hrs of mostly 172 time. They've never really had much real-world experience... but they are proficient in their maneuvers (in a 172) and begin to teach other students. They don't instill some critical traits of being a pilot, which are outside the scope of maneuvers, etc. Those other students get their CFI, and the cycle continues. The 'older' CFIs with the same bad habits become check pilots... and the cycle gets worse, etc.
This is exactly the reason that I chose not to hang around and get my Instructor rating(s) and instead graduate and move on.
In the past, I have LOVED instructing, but I felt that I needed some time to experience the *real* world before I tried to impart my knowledge to others.
Also - at the time I didn't realize that instructing was the most natural of ways to build time.
I ran across this in the miltiary too. I've met really sharp SerGrad instructors in the fleet that spent some time right after earning their wings who spent a few months minimum instructing the first phases of internediate or advance at the time; plus it was a great way to increase your chances of getting your choice of fleet aircraft after that time too. I am still glad that I had at least one fleet tour under my belt before instructing and I do think that it adds to the experience level and at least can illustrate the briefing points sometimes with a good sea story or two
USMCFLYR
03-13-2010 | 10:22 PM
#33
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 695
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From: Cessna 152 Captain
Well the reason why I posted the question is because I am doing research!! AND I am not spending anything yet nor am I content on such prices. Like I said before I am seeking advice and of course paying close attention to every single post in here is a must since the purpose of the thread is to inform myself.14 Days $4,995
$5,995 if multi-PIC requirement
03-13-2010 | 10:26 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,398
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From: USAF
Ryan -
This is exactly the reason that I chose not to hang around and get my Instructor rating(s) and instead graduate and move on.
In the past, I have LOVED instructing, but I felt that I needed some time to experience the *real* world before I tried to impart my knowledge to others.
Also - at the time I didn't realize that instructing was the most natural of ways to build time.
I ran across this in the miltiary too. I've met really sharp SerGrad instructors in the fleet that spent some time right after earning their wings who spent a few months minimum instructing the first phases of internediate or advance at the time; plus it was a great way to increase your chances of getting your choice of fleet aircraft after that time too. I am still glad that I had at least one fleet tour under my belt before instructing and I do think that it adds to the experience level and at least can illustrate the briefing points sometimes with a good sea story or two
USMCFLYR
This is exactly the reason that I chose not to hang around and get my Instructor rating(s) and instead graduate and move on.
In the past, I have LOVED instructing, but I felt that I needed some time to experience the *real* world before I tried to impart my knowledge to others.
Also - at the time I didn't realize that instructing was the most natural of ways to build time.
I ran across this in the miltiary too. I've met really sharp SerGrad instructors in the fleet that spent some time right after earning their wings who spent a few months minimum instructing the first phases of internediate or advance at the time; plus it was a great way to increase your chances of getting your choice of fleet aircraft after that time too. I am still glad that I had at least one fleet tour under my belt before instructing and I do think that it adds to the experience level and at least can illustrate the briefing points sometimes with a good sea story or two
USMCFLYR
