CFI school opinions?

[based]

Hello there!

I'm finishing up my commercial in short time from now. I'd like to get some ideas and do my homework on the most affordable/efficient way to obtain the CFI certificate.

At my current school I'm paying per hour ($65 + $160) for instructor and piper arrow. Their CFI course has about 22 hours dual flying, 30 hours of ground etc. The cost is over $6200 before examiner/written fees etc.. The CFII course will be over $3000 more. They are a busy place so I assume this will take a few months to get through the course due to availability. The price seems rather steep after looking at other schools. I feel the quality of instruction is very good though.

In comparison, the American Flyers 30 day CFI/CFII course advertised at $3,495. I'm aware you will usually spend a bit more time and money than advertised. I've also heard good and bad opinions about them. I do think the price and dedicating the entire month towards getting it done is appealing. I currently work full time and study or take lessons after work. If I were to do the AF course, I'd have to take a month off and come hopefully come out with the licenses in my pocket and opportunities to work somewhere as a CFI

I have access to a fixed gear IFR equipped plane I can fly for peanuts. In this situation, would doing CFII as initial be the way to go?

Open to suggestions...
Thanks!

 

[Sosee]

My suggestion and its only my suggestion is to get with an Instructor you know and trust who has done CFI initials in the past and work with him/her 1 on 1, especially if you have access to a plane.

CFI academies are okay but all you really need is "volunteers" to practice on.
When I did my CFI initial, I worked with my instructor who did all of my training from Private through Multi and then he and I went to get a couple types together. I had access to several fixed gear planes and then fell into an arrow, though I used a Cessna 172RG for the checkride since the arrow owner sold that one a few months out from my ride.

A lot of the CFI Initial is you teaching. That is something you can prepare for on your own (with the help of friends who are "students" for you). Heck my cat is probably proficient at slow flight and most ground reference maneuvers. hehe

As far as doing the CFII as the initial, nope. Do the CFI initial first so you can be working while you prep for the CFII.
My CFII checkride was totally easy compared to my CFI initial ride....and I do mean easy.

Don't sell yourself short. Try it one on one with a seasoned CFI and see how it goes. Could end up saving you a lot of green.

 

[doog]

I like the focussed aspect of American Flyers and am leaning towards going there as well. So many people fail the CFI I'd rather go with a dedicated course that is accustomed to pushing a lot of people through, and also to focus and just get it done. If you can pull the time off that's what I'd do... I say that though and I haven't done it yet either, primarily because other aspects of my life are getting in the way of taking 30-45 days off to go do it... the price is a bonus.

 

[based]

Thanks for the input!

I've got in touch with one of my previous instructors that has trained CFI students. I think us working together 1 on 1, and not through a flight school will be the most affordable. I'll see how the rest of my Commercial training goes and then I'll have the answer!