Hello everyone:

I m researching on what schools/academy i should attend for doing my CFI/CFII. So far i have come across American Flyers and some local FBOs that are offering me the CFI ticket around the same price as AF. I was considering ATP, but given the fact that I will be spending about $9k for the training with no job guarentee i am asking everyones help to guide me to the right schools that will offer me a job after giving them some business (doing my CFI with that perticular school).
I know nothing about american flyers except that you can finish your training there in about $3k.
Sounds too good to be true but also what more imp is that i wanna know if should get my written exams done before i start my CFI training?
What schools have you guys been to and how was you experience finding a job as a CFI?
Your guidance will be very much appreciated.

Thank you

There isn't much "training" involved in the CFI. You already know the material. Now you just need to demonstrate you can teach it.

Working on your own it shouldn't take more than 20 hours on the ground and about 5 hours in the air.

Your CFI really doesnt take much time. Where did you get your previous training? Have you thought about staying there or going back for your cfi? Most schools are more likely to hire you if you did most of your training with them.

I just finished the CFI/CFII at AF in Santa Monica. I thought that the Santa Monica campus was a really good program, there instructors are mostly very good and very helpful. I did the part 141, which includes an in house checkride for the CFII (which you can't fail) and you only have to do one checkride with the FAA or DPE. It cost about $5700 with 20hrs of flight time inlcuded. I went over by about 4hrs at $150/hr. I would recommend this program just be ready to work. We were there for 30 days straight from 8am to 9pm everyday! The three of us that were there everyday, we all finished within 32 days. I can't say the same for the people who would miss days and go home early. You should have your three writtens before you go. hope this helps

If you do it part 61, I'd research what the FSDO's are like as well. In my area, they are absolutely insane. Had a very well prepared CFI candidate in my school that went 5 times before he passed. Luckily for his CFI, there was a nice 709 ride waiting at the end of that tunnel.

Agreed. Some FSDOs are actually proud of their 70% first time fail rate!!

I was talking with a FSDO rep, getting my AGI/IGI's the same day I had my CFI-I check-oral. She asked me how long the oral was and I told her it took 4 hours. Her response was, "That's it? Wow."

You are going to be very hard pressed to find a school that will guarantee anything right now in terms of employment. Just the times. Even then, they will only know if they want to hire you, if you turn out to be not only a good instructor, but a good stick as well (at least those schools worth their salt).

Go somewhere that you will learn. And do not fall for the, " you already know what you are doing " thing. You do not. I can not tell you how many pilots that I have flown with from various schools that can not fly themselves out of a paper bag. At least not to our standards. Sad really. Doesn't matter Part 61 or 141, just find somewhere that has instructors with good reps and a good percentage of pass rate. Not to mention alot of experience (obviously they need two years for a signoff).

Good luck.

Try MN aviation 8 days and and the ride is with a DE. I now many people who have done it there. ground all day and then they pull you out randomly to do 2 flights a day. 8th day is the ride most past the first time. they know exactly what is going to be asked.

She asked me how long the oral was and I told her it took 4 hours. Her response was, "That's it? Wow."

is it four hours just because they have to cover EVERYTHING since the PPL?