Career CFI?

clrd4takeoff

clrd4takeoff

New Member
I would like to know if anyone out there is a career CFI.

I am considering this option. Do you have any suggestions or comments?

Thanks!

TL
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Yeah, I know some people that planned to fly regional, corporate, etc. but liked being a CFI so they still do it. Most have jobs with airlines just to supplement that CFI income. One even started his own training school/FBO using the career CFI route.
 
Now I wouldn't mind opening my flight school either. Might still happen someday. Is the certification with the FAA process long and difficult?
 
Sheesh, if you can live on CFI pay for the rest of your life, lemmie know how you do it!

Nah, seriously, at the flight school I work at there's a couple of people there that freelance, and one old dude that's retired and does it for fun. SO- it can be done, as long as you work for yourself or have income from another source.
 
I'm very business savy, but I dont know if I would like the challenge of opening up a flight school. I have witnessed many go under
 
I'll tell you what little I know about it, based on talking to one of the few career cfis I've known. He did freelance for 50/hr of instruction and mostly trained cfi applicants.

There are many challenges. First you will have to specialize in something so you're the 'go to' guy for that kind of training. It can be anything from training in a certain type of aircraft to aerobatics, like Rich Stowell in SZP. This will help keep a student base who will pay more for what they feel is better training. Otherwise you will be competing with people willing to instruct for next to nothing so they can log the time and move on.

Other things to think about are the fact that there are really no benefits other than what you make per hour; there is no retirement other than what you make for yourself. Your income is dependent on weather, airplane down time, student availability... anyway it can be done but you'll have to REALLY love it
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To teach CFIs all you need is a CFI?

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You need to have been a CFI for at least 2 years and have given something like 200 hours dual given before you can sign others off to take a CFI test.
 
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[ QUOTE ]
To teach CFIs all you need is a CFI?

[/ QUOTE ]

You need to have been a CFI for at least 2 years and have given something like 200 hours dual given before you can sign others off to take a CFI test.

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What about for the written tests? Do I just show up and ask to take the written or what?

thanks
 
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What about for the written tests? Do I just show up and ask to take the written or what?

thanks

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You don't need to be signed off by any instructor to take the written CFI tests (same for the CFII). Whenever you're ready, you can just go in to a computer based testing center, sign up, and take the test. Getting your CFI is easier from the written test vantage point... you can do it whenever... but a lot more difficult in the flight aspects... you can't go to any ol' FBO and take care of it. You need to go to an FBO with a complex aircraft that has an instructor with the 2 years/200 hour experience.
 
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