If this is you shame on you!

Oh well. Worrying about what everyone else is doing will only get you an ulcer. I doubt he has a ton of business anyway.

But then, this isn't much different from airlines and their "$9 fares! Anyone can enjoy and afford airline flying!!"

Same bar lowering, different part of the industry. Only thing is, in the airlines it's accepted; here it's not.
 
If he was volunteering to give ground and flight lessons and/ or discovery flights for the Young Eagles, or a disadvantaged and deserving kid (s), (which I myself have done both), or in a program where kids work/do chores around the FBO or hangars and on the planes and must keep up their grades, etc., for their ground and flight lessons (there are several programs like this around the country) I wouldn't have an issue with this. But really, why is he doing this and who is he? What is he thinking?
 
Here's something to wrap your head around... when I was a freelance instructor I was able to attract more students the more I charged for my time and services. Looking back...I think that when I charged a premium, I was more 'valuable' to my potential students. (i.e. Look at this guy, he charges a fortune... but, he describes the process in great detail, educates his potential students by 'giving away' all of this educational material on his website so you can make an informed decision, and he also gives a very expensive and informative 'first lesson' - 3-4 times as much as the other schools, but he spends a whole half day with you and you spend an hour in the air and at the end you will have mastered basic flight maneuvers - let's hire him!)

Not everyone can be Mr. Marketing or Super Instructor (like I was :)) but those who are dedicated to excellence can make it work.
 
Houston said:
Just a guess, but I suspect there is a financial motivation related to the use of the airplane he would provide. Somewhat like the "buy one, get one free" logic. I always want to ask if I can just have that second free one and not buy the first one.
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lol There has to be some shell game b.s. attached to this, I am betting. Ugh.
 
hmm is this like that telephone scam from Africa were he needs a down payment on the airplane for free lessons... DA20 so solid bro... Jokes of coarse
 
ClearedForOption said:
Here's something to wrap your head around... when I was a freelance instructor I was able to attract more students the more I charged for my time and services. Looking back...I think that when I charged a premium, I was more 'valuable' to my potential students. (i.e. Look at this guy, he charges a fortune... but, he describes the process in great detail, educates his potential students by 'giving away' all of this educational material on his website so you can make an informed decision, and he also gives a very expensive and informative 'first lesson' - 3-4 times as much as the other schools, but he spends a whole half day with you and you spend an hour in the air and at the end you will have mastered basic flight maneuvers - let's hire him!)

Not everyone can be Mr. Marketing or Super Instructor (like I was :)) but those who are dedicated to excellence can make it work.
Click to expand...

Are you being serious?
 
ClearedForOption said:
Here's something to wrap your head around... when I was a freelance instructor I was able to attract more students the more I charged for my time and services. Looking back...I think that when I charged a premium, I was more 'valuable' to my potential students. (i.e. Look at this guy, he charges a fortune... but, he describes the process in great detail, educates his potential students by 'giving away' all of this educational material on his website so you can make an informed decision, and he also gives a very expensive and informative 'first lesson' - 3-4 times as much as the other schools, but he spends a whole half day with you and you spend an hour in the air and at the end you will have mastered basic flight maneuvers - let's hire him!)

Not everyone can be Mr. Marketing or Super Instructor (like I was :)) but those who are dedicated to excellence can make it work.
Click to expand...

This is a good lesson. Not that discounting is bad - it isn't. But your model also works. Key take-away here is that many people think solely on price when conceiving a business or enterprise - they need to focus on the model they want first, then price accordingly.

People do not think enough on the front end. First, identify your goal. Second, identify different business models to achieve the goal and then pick the one that you can most successfully execute.
 
Jet said:
Are you being serious?
Click to expand...

For the parts that you made bold... That was a side of seriousness covered in red clovers, blue diamonds, melted chocolate and a dash of sarcasm.

The serious part is that I did have a 'business model' and goal of earning back my investment of the cost of my own certificates, saving for 'regional 1st year pay', and overall timebuilding when I was a freelance instructor - and I did market myself quite well to the point where I kept very busy outside of normal business day and on weekends. I also worked a full time job while instructing so during the 'daylight savings' months I worked very long days between the two jobs. (along with having full weekends)

My point, was that when I was instructing (even though my goal was an airline job) I did my best to become the best possible instructor that I could be. From being a 'Technical T.A.' in college (teaching people how to use motion picture equipment, editing equipment, and etc.) I knew that I had talent through prior experience in one on one instruction. I combined that with my graphic design skills, some marketing experience, and internet advertising and built up a thriving business during my 4 years as a CFI. It worked for me, I was blessed to have been able to be a freelance instructor and work with a facility owner who wanted people to succeed in their careers. But, I also sought that out.

I'm not saying that my career model should be everyone's model. In other threads I've talked about my career progression and mused about how it could have been different if I'd taken various shortcuts, prepared for interviews differently, and etc. And, of course, hindsight is 20/20. I've also tried to pay it forward - as best as I can. (Hopefully anyone studying for their CFI or even current CFI's has downloaded my initial cadre of lesson plans, my article on talking on the radio, and etc.) I know that I have posted it often enough when I come upon the perpetual 'CFI Lesson Plan' threads.

What I am saying (not to the fellow who posted that internet ad - although I do hope that he does stumble upon this site and participate in the community while educating himself) is that there are tons of people out there who view this community without participating. These same people might have the (original) idea that they are going to 'shortcut their way past instructing' (or however they view it) by doing 'X' or 'Y.' I am trying to offer up a slightly different perspective with my own story.
 
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