CFI Hourly Rate

[districtpilot]

I am still current, though I haven't instructed for over 4 years. Considering picking up extra flying work on weekends. I have no idea what the going rate is these days. Anybody?

 

[Rotorhead1]

My rates are for the North Georgia area $30.00 private, $35.00 Instrument, and $42.00 Multi. Hope this gives you an idea.

 

[districtpilot]

Thanks for the info, Rotorhead1. I appreciate it.

 

[pilot754]

Los Angeles, CA

I was $50.00 hr Ground and Flight as an independent not for a schhol I kept all. However I am now on my way to a regional/corporate leaving instructing.

 

[JediNein]

$120/hr and $100/hr pre-paid for Van Nuys, CA, specializing in glass cockpit, GPS, and avionics training.

 

[340drvr]

$45-$50 /hr, whether ground, single, multi, doesn't matter.
Not trying to pick on Rotorhead1, but I've never understood this multi-tiered rate schedule for instruction time. Yeah, many FBO's and flight schools use this as a way to increase the hourly pay for more "senior" instructors, but, free-lance, an hour of my time giving instruction is an hour of my time, doesn't matter if it's a twin turboprop, or somebody wants me to show their 3-yr old how to drive a pedal-powered Stearman toy, it all costs the same. (Just my 1/2 cent!)

 

[acaTerry]

Here's a good formula that has served me well over the years...
$25 flat for being a CFI
$2 for holding II
$2 for holding MEI
$2 for holding ATP
$2 for each 100 dual given
For a mid-time CFI (1000 dual given) who can give specialized instruction and the advice of an ATP, that comes to about $50 an hour-ish. Sounds unfair to some that you charge for what you hold instead of what you are actually excercising, but remember that you pay for experience in every other profession, and aviation should be no different.
Puts me at nearly 90 an hour in the PHX area but you'll find that most airplane owners are willing to pay.