Flight Instructor Pay Survey

jtrain609 said:
Funny, because my 65 year old mother said folks were saying the same thing 30 years ago, and it's still here.
Click to expand...
Yes, and my 90 mom started collecting at 62.5' not possible anymore. I'm bumped to 67 and I bet it moves before I get there. I have more faith in my Boeing and GE defined benefit pensions than I do in SS. It's good to dream though..... :)
 
jtrain609 said:
Cool idea until you want to start collecting social security. Good luck with that one.
Click to expand...


Or maybe I don't depend on the government to invest my money for me. As soon as Uncle Sam can give me a 24% ROR I'll be more than happy to hand over that part of my paycheck. Until then ill spend my money how I see fit.
 
cmill said:
Or maybe I don't depend on the government to invest my money for me. As soon as Uncle Sam can give me a 24% ROR I'll be more than happy to hand over that part of my paycheck. Until then ill spend my money how I see fit.
Click to expand...
That is not how social insurance works.
 
I really want to thank everyone for contributing to this discussion both in the public forum and the folks who have private messaged me so far. All the information is greatly appreciated and will be used in my attempt to tweak our existing pay scale with upper management.

wheelsup said:
I doubt anyone responding with SoCal payrates has been to Gainesville, FL.

First issue is it's Central Florida. It's a hole. COLA in Central FL vs. SoCal? HAHAHA.
Second issue is, pay for a CFI is secondary in nature. 90% of CFI's (rough guess) are in it for the hours, and multi time in particular.

If your school has an issue with CFI's working under 50 hours a month you need to do all you can to get the billable hours up. If your school has no multi, or a multi that rarely operates, that is also another issue.

In FL pay for CFI's and pilots in general is dismal at best. But the schools that fly a lot and have a twin that flies a lot could pay peanuts and still have a ton of applicants. Back in '04 I was working at a school that paid $12/hr which is a paycut from the $20/hr I was getting before but I gladly did it, tons of flying and lots of new students. Until the hurricane hit.
Click to expand...

I'd say that whether GNV and the surrounding area is "a hole" is really in the eye of the beholder. Certainly the cost of living, taxes, etc are significantly lower in North Central FL...I haven't spent much time in SoCal so I'll reserve further judgement. From what I've received and read so far I would say that the two areas aren't that far apart on a dollars vs. dollars basis.

Our school can easily take on 2 to 3 instructors right now and easily meet/exceed 50 billable hours a month. We also have a multi and I'd say that's it is reasonably priced given the other prices I see around the state. We also manage a part 91 Caravan cargo operation that affords employees (and certainly instructors) single engine turbine time for those looking to gain experience and build more hours. Finally, for those that impress us and those that are interested there is potential for growth within the company to become a cargo captain and eventually a charter pilot.

Thanks again for input!
 
cmill said:
Or maybe I don't depend on the government to invest my money for me. As soon as Uncle Sam can give me a 24% ROR I'll be more than happy to hand over that part of my paycheck. Until then ill spend my money how I see fit.
Click to expand...
Social Security is a small % of taxes. Taxes are used to run the country as well. Good thing we have all these stupid/noble taxpayers footing the bill for your ass.
 
AviatorGator said:
I really want to thank everyone for contributing to this discussion both in the public forum and the folks who have private messaged me so far. All the information is greatly appreciated and will be used in my attempt to tweak our existing pay scale with upper management.



I'd say that whether GNV and the surrounding area is "a hole" is really in the eye of the beholder. Certainly the cost of living, taxes, etc are significantly lower in North Central FL...I haven't spent much time in SoCal so I'll reserve further judgement. From what I've received and read so far I would say that the two areas aren't that far apart on a dollars vs. dollars basis.

Our school can easily take on 2 to 3 instructors right now and easily meet/exceed 50 billable hours a month. We also have a multi and I'd say that's it is reasonably priced given the other prices I see around the state. We also manage a part 91 Caravan cargo operation that affords employees (and certainly instructors) single engine turbine time for those looking to gain experience and build more hours. Finally, for those that impress us and those that are interested there is potential for growth within the company to become a cargo captain and eventually a charter pilot.

Thanks again for input!
Click to expand...
Would it be possible to set a bonus structure where if you hit say 100 billable hours you get 5 free hours of twin time? Partnered up with another CFI that is around 100 hours in 12 months. Would provide them a way to build multi time if you twin isn't flying much, and basically give them incentive to hang around so you can plan better. That would allow you to reduce staffing allowing them to bill more and earn a decent wage.

That's what the last school I was at did, 148 avg billable a month for me of which 80 was logged time, 60 SEL and 20 MEL.
 
FAA needs to remove instruction from being commercial flying.
AMF doesn't allow outside commercial flying and there is no way I'm getting fired after that oil hose pops off for $50/hour.

That was easy.

You'd get guys who actually have a passion for instruction.
 
wheelsup said:
Would it be possible to set a bonus structure where if you hit say 100 billable hours you get 5 free hours of twin time? Partnered up with another CFI that is around 100 hours in 12 months. Would provide them a way to build multi time if you twin isn't flying much, and basically give them incentive to hang around so you can plan better. That would allow you to reduce staffing allowing them to bill more and earn a decent wage.

That's what the last school I was at did, 148 avg billable a month for me of which 80 was logged time, 60 SEL and 20 MEL.
Click to expand...


Heh, at our school if I break 80 hours billable I get 1/2 hour of twin time. Oh boy.
 
I have been instructing for two years now...

The first year the place I worked at I received $25.00/hr Single $30.00/hr Multi.

Where I work now I receive $2000/month based on 40hrs of duty time mandatory. Anything over 40hrs I get $28.00/hr.

I know for me the garunteed $2000/month is what attracts me. Often times there might be an off month where you just dont get a break in the weather or airplanes are broke and you can't get in that 70-80hours. Then your ending up with that • pay check and eating ramen for the next month.
 
wheelsup said:
Well I assumed people would be disclosing their income to the IRS and paying the appropriate taxes. I had a partnership that I ran concurrently while instructing and even though I was paid in cash I disclosed it via a K1. Good for you for sticking it to 'the man'.
Click to expand...


Getting paid cash(or by check/credit card, whatever) is going to be 1099 income, not W2 wages. Goes on a Schedule C, which allows you to deduct all of you business/flying related expenses, which are substantial for a CFI. You'll come out ahead every time with this arrangement, just need to keep better records.
 
[quote="AviatorGator, post: 2108210, member: 12690"] I'd say that whether GNV and the surrounding area is "a hole" is really in the eye of the beholder. Certainly the cost of living, taxes, etc are significantly lower in North Central FL...I haven't spent much time in SoCal so I'll reserve further judgement. From what I've received and read so far I would say that the two areas aren't that far apart on a dollars vs. dollars basis.[/quote]

Eh...no, North Central Florida is a hole.

Carry on.

edit: erm, broken quote tag.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top