Quality CFI Training?

[PlayaSteelo]

The key word is QUALITY. I'm not looking for the fastest course or the absolute cheapest (although the cheaper the better). I'm really looking for quality ground/flight instruction and a CFI who will not just regurgitate what the book says or has the gouge for the examiner. I figured since i'll be a CFI for quite a while why not try and be a damn good one! I'll definitely do my part as far as self-studying with the FAA publications and starting on lesson plans.

If anyone can recommend a great CFI, FBO, or academy I would greatly appreciate it.

P.S.
I live in Miami, FL but I'm willing to travel anywhere for top quality instruction.

 

[Cessna414JJB]

The key word is QUALITY. I'm not looking for the fastest course or the absolute cheapest (although the cheaper the better). I'm really looking for quality ground/flight instruction and a CFI who will not just regurgitate what the book says or has the gouge for the examiner. I figured since i'll be a CFI for quite a while why not try and be a damn good one! I'll definitely do my part as far as self-studying with the FAA publications and starting on lesson plans.

If anyone can recommend a great CFI, FBO, or academy I would greatly appreciate it.

P.S.
I live in Miami, FL but I'm willing to travel anywhere for top quality instruction.

Good plan.
Check your PM's.

As for a school in FL I would wholeheartedly recommend www.sunstateaviation.com which is a great bunch with a good rep with the local DPE's. It's not cheap though. Ryan Sebek enjoys a great rep and is their CFI Trainer.
All you need to manage is to convince the "Marketing & Sales" person there, what exactly you need. I looked into training for the CFI with them based on a DPE recommendation and believe all my inquiries remained somewhat unanswered of not answered appropriately. Make sure you get to talk to the right people.

Cheers,

 

[AviatorGator]

Professional Flight Training at FXE just north of you might be a good choice. http://www.pft-inc.com They are smaller, so their schedule doesn't always have a CFI ground school/flight training on the books, but give them a call. Their listed price for an initial CFI is also higher than I remember it, but my experience and the experience of others might say you'll be ready when you're ready. It might cost more or less. It certainly isn't the only option, just one I've noticed is successful for some folks.

Your spin training will most likely be done in an Extra 300L at OPF (if you use PFT). That was really cool.

Also, don't fall into the trap of going to instruct where you get your CFI. Go to the best situation for you where you can get lots of students with money, dictate your own hours and have some overall flexibility.

 

[CoffeeIcePapers]

Also, don't fall into the trap of going to instruct where you get your CFI. Go to the best situation for you where you can get lots of students with money, dictate your own hours and have some overall flexibility.

It will be a tall order to demand that with a brand new CFI certificate in this market.

 

[Cessna414JJB]

It will be a tall order to demand that with a brand new CFI certificate in this market.

From the flight schools I have visited for CFI training only very few actually struck me as a good place to work at too. Offering CFI employment to graduates of own classes is just a marketing tool in most cases. With the current market you may be well better off on your own, having 20 little things going on, rather than believing one word someone else promises.

 

[t-cart]

Man, I can't help with none of your questions, but I will wish you good luck. You sound like you will make a great instructor.

 

[Fly_Unity]

The key word is QUALITY. I'm not looking for the fastest course or the absolute cheapest (although the cheaper the better). I'm really looking for quality ground/flight instruction and a CFI who will not just regurgitate what the book says or has the gouge for the examiner. I figured since i'll be a CFI for quite a while why not try and be a damn good one! I'll definitely do my part as far as self-studying with the FAA publications and starting on lesson plans.

If anyone can recommend a great CFI, FBO, or academy I would greatly appreciate it.

P.S.
I live in Miami, FL but I'm willing to travel anywhere for top quality instruction.

Don't spend any extra money on a certificate then you have to, Id go for the cheapest place you can get it, that has a good reputation.

You learn far more instructing then you would if you went to the highest price, top school. You might as well get paid to learn instead of the other way around.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[surreal1221]

Since you're not necessarily seeking the cheapest. . .I'll simply say this.

You get what you pay for.

 

[PlayaSteelo]

Thanks for all the feedback.

As I stated, the cheaper the better but Quality is the main factor. I'm just sick of being promised top quality and receiving piss poor instruction. Throughout my PPL-CMEL most of my ground was self study which is alright except the book can only teach you so much. Not to mention that I have gone through about 10 instructors mainly from the 07 regional hiring frenzy. In 08 I decided to receive training with one of the sponsors on this board with the understanding that it would be one on one ground with top quality flight instructors from the Air Force. Funny thing is the best instructor there was just a regular CFI with no AF experience. He was excellent for flight instruction but was not allowed to give ground instruction at the school.

Anyways enough of my rant, if anyone has more info on any other schools please share.

Once again thanks!

 

[Cessna414JJB]

Thanks for all the feedback.

As I stated, the cheaper the better but Quality is the main factor. I'm just sick of being promised top quality and receiving piss poor instruction. Throughout my PPL-CMEL most of my ground was self study which is alright except the book can only teach you so much. Not to mention that I have gone through about 10 instructors mainly from the 07 regional hiring frenzy. In 08 I decided to receive training with one of the sponsors on this board with the understanding that it would be one on one ground with top quality flight instructors from the Air Force. Funny thing is the best instructor there was just a regular CFI with no AF experience. He was excellent for flight instruction but was not allowed to give ground instruction at the school.

Anyways enough of my rant, if anyone has more info on any other schools please share.

Once again thanks!

My own research leads me to believe that 90% of the flightschools must be totally overwhelmed with students. They don't even have time to answer emails...
Really a shame when you have to beg people to take your money.

 

[muffinman]

I did my CFI on the cheap as far as out of pocket money spent.
find a good pilot friend that can ride left seat, go up and fly from the right seat. Do all the commercial maneuvers from the right seat.

then study every book you have from your private/instrument/commercial days. then find other stuff to read. Know the FIO stuff.

then find an instructor to do you CFI with. The best part about doing a CFI is that since you are doing it to learn how to teach, most of the stuff will be left up to you as a learning experience.

Really there is not a lot to it, I spent most of my time with my instructor learning from his experiences and knowing what to expect from students at different phases of training.

Like someone say above, don't spend any more money then you have to. The CFI can be a pretty straight forward, cheap ticket to get.

 

[escapepilot]

I did my CFI with a Charles Ede at Umatillia, FL. I think he operated under the name of Add-A-Rating. Extremely good instruction, reasonable price. He was a former bush pilot in Alaska. I'm not sure if he's still in business, but if he is, I HIGHLY recommend him.

 

[jamin35008]

Good plan.
Check your PM's.

As for a school in FL I would wholeheartedly recommend www.sunstateaviation.com which is a great bunch with a good rep with the local DPE's. It's not cheap though. Ryan Sebek enjoys a great rep and is their CFI Trainer.
All you need to manage is to convince the "Marketing & Sales" person there, what exactly you need. I looked into training for the CFI with them based on a DPE recommendation and believe all my inquiries remained somewhat unanswered of not answered appropriately. Make sure you get to talk to the right people.

Cheers,

If cash is not the biggest factor for you I would second this. I got my commercial there and the place is well run with great instructors. I flew with Ryan a few times and that guy knows his stuff front to back and back to front, up and down. Iwould love to get my CFI there but with work and family I just cant get that much time off at once so Im doing the local FBO route. DPE there is really great...cant remember her name (dont have my ticket in front of me) but really fair and down to earth. Sunstate is a great place and that price you see on the website is what you pay...no hidden costs. Good Luck!

 

[PlayaSteelo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still checking out all my options wether its here in Florida or nationwide, I just want some damn good training.

If cash is not the biggest factor for you I would second this. I got my commercial there and the place is well run with great instructors. I flew with Ryan a few times and that guy knows his stuff front to back and back to front, up and down. Iwould love to get my CFI there but with work and family I just cant get that much time off at once so Im doing the local FBO route. DPE there is really great...cant remember her name (dont have my ticket in front of me) but really fair and down to earth. Sunstate is a great place and that price you see on the website is what you pay...no hidden costs. Good Luck!

I know I did not emphasize too much on costs but $7535 is a little pricey for 17 flight hours and 40 hrs ground. I visited Sunstate in Nov 08 and met some really nice people and I'm sure they have a good rep, I'll keep it mind.

Once again thanks to all.

 

[Cessna414JJB]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still checking out all my options wether its here in Florida or nationwide, I just want some damn good training.



I know I did not emphasize too much on costs but $7535 is a little pricey for 17 flight hours and 40 hrs ground. I visited Sunstate in Nov 08 and met some really nice people and I'm sure they have a good rep, I'll keep it mind.

Once again thanks to all.

Playa, if you'd like to read some responses to inquiries I got while "shopping" shoot me a PM. Sunsate was top of the line in regards to professionalism.

 

[Blackhawk]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still checking out all my options wether its here in Florida or nationwide, I just want some damn good training.



I know I did not emphasize too much on costs but $7535 is a little pricey for 17 flight hours and 40 hrs ground. I visited Sunstate in Nov 08 and met some really nice people and I'm sure they have a good rep, I'll keep it mind.

Once again thanks to all.

Of course when you become a CFI it won't become pricey.

 

[PlayaSteelo]

Of course when you become a CFI it won't become pricey.

True, but i'm having a constant battle with myself thinking for $7,000 I could get the CFI,CFII,MEI at a ratings mill. But then again it may not be the quality i'm looking for.

Ay, Dios Mio!
The battle continues anic:

 

[Cessna414JJB]

True, but i'm having a constant battle with myself thinking for $7,000 I could get the CFI,CFII,MEI at a ratings mill. But then again it may not be the quality i'm looking for.

Ay, Dios Mio!
The battle continues anic:

True - for seven grant you can buy it all. However, you may also put an effective damper onto your chances to get hired by a few facilities.
It's very very seldom, but I've talked to Chief CFI's who will effectively NOT hire you if you get any instructor rating with such a mill. I've been around this bush and that was the response I got at least.

Sending inquiries out to flightschools advertising CFI training (I had been looking for a CFI/MEI package without the CFII). Sometimes that involved filling out online contact form, providing detailed question in the body of text. I called countless schools, but usually got stuck with receptionists trying to take numbers, halfass answers, and one giy asked me for a deposit before he would pay attention... The rest of the responses was nothing short of an insult of intelligence.

Mr. X, please let me have a phone number so I can find out what stuff you need. What ratings do you want? We don't have a curriculum.

I asked very detailed (CFI/MEI Package, writtens passed, Briefs ready) for timeline, housing & examiner fees...

Hi X, our program is advertised at this price, but normally people need more time. You need comm. multi and fund. o. instr. and instrument, you have that?

Ohhh, really?

What training are you interested in? I'll call you later to talk you.

That was 9 days ago. I hope he doesn't call me. Could be a short smalltalk. Also very concise questions asked by me.

12+ so called 'reputable' flightschools never bothered to respond.

Things worked out a different way for me, I'm allset now, but I was stunned to read some of this stuff. Make sure you get what you pay for. A fancy website tells you nothing about a place and when their staff gives you tough love before you have even signed up - it's time to get it done somewhere else.

 

[African_Swallow]

True, but i'm having a constant battle with myself thinking for $7,000 I could get the CFI,CFII,MEI at a ratings mill. But then again it may not be the quality i'm looking for.

Ay, Dios Mio!
The battle continues anic:

I went to a ratings mill. Now, as a CFI, I still ask questions, sometimes dumb ones, sometimes insightful (I think ). I still make mistakes. Would I be a better CFI if I went to a "better CFI school"? I don't know. But IMHO, a school is not going to make you a great instructor, no matter how great those instructors are. True, it's nice to work with folks who really know the industry and topics inside and out. I think as a CFI, you really need to be resourceful for your students. "Knowing" things upfront will come in time, not necessarily during CFI training. I know I wasn't able to absorb ALL of the FAA publications, textbooks, etc. in that time and I still refer to them and reread on a regular basis. It seems that I am always learning about new sources for material too! CFI training prepares you "to know a little about everything" in aviation. As for the actual flight training...safety first, of course! Students will try to kill you! They will try to make you bust airspace, fly too close to the ground, miss radio calls, inadvertantly spin, wheelbarrow on landing, etc. Now, if a "good CFI school" can simulate all these things, more power to them.

I'd say, if you're a good study and really motivated to produce quality pilots from your teaching, get the ratings cheaply, and develop good CFI habits as quickly as you can. Either way, no matter where you go for your CFI training, your first students will always be guinea pigs and you will always be learning on the job. I always remind anyone I fly with AOPA Flight Training Mag's motto: A Good Pilot Is Always Learning.

...

 

[PlayaSteelo]

Playa, if you'd like to read some responses to inquiries I got while "shopping" shoot me a PM. Sunsate was top of the line in regards to professionalism.

You got a PM.