CFI Pay

[Flechas]

i have a question: i work as a CFI for a small flight school, but i'm self employed because i don't get any benefits (medical, dental , ...). The thing is that i only get half of what the school charges for instruction ($20, so i get $10).
Is this normal or am i being completely ripped off?

appreciate your thought on this.

 

[banned username 2]

Well unfortunately that is pretty normal... Most small flights schools do no give you benefits and usually hire you as an "Independant Contractor"

Don't feel bad, I remember back in the early 90's American Flyers was charging something like $40 per hour for a CFI and a new hire CFI at American Flyers was making $6/hr. Talk about grabbing your ankles.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Two of the local schools pay $14/17 per hour. They charge $24 and $27 respectively.

You might want to see if they will pay you more if you bring your own students. The logic is that the school will make a few bucks off of you and the rental of the aircraft.

They may also want to raise the rates. I saw an article a while back that says the "average" school billing rate is becoming more like $35 to $45 per hour.

Your other option, since you are "self employed" is to work independent. Hence the benefit - if you can bring in your own students then you can probably find students with planes and then keep the entire billing rate.

I currently have 5 students. 4 are finishing up their private and then I will have 6 instrument students (1 other pending) - all the while I am a PART-TIME independent CFI charging $45/hr.

 

[MarineGrunt]

I currently have 5 students. 4 are finishing up their private and then I will have 6 instrument students (1 other pending) - all the while I am a PART-TIME independent CFI charging $45/hr.

Dang! You're doing a lot better than I am as a FULL TIME flight instructor.

I only see $13 of the $33 we charge.

 

[T/SF34/A]

You have to be an "Independent Contractor" to make any money flight instructing. It's ridiculous that flight schools charge 33- for instruction, but then pay the instructor 13-. The school that I use to work for charged 35 an hour for instruction and I saw 10 of that. I currently "contract" part time and charge 25 an hour. I pocket all 25.

If the demand is great, find an FBO that rents its aircraft out and ask if they would mind if you instructed in it. If they do not mind, then you can charge what you want for instruction. Obviously the aircraft rental is separate expence for the student. Be sure to purchase CFI insurance because you probably wont be covered under the FBO.

Try it, you might like it...

 

[labbats]

You get only $10 an hour because you don't have to sell yourself and drum up business. I left sales to be a pilot and don't need that headache.

Also, let's not all say that it's as easy as going independent and charging a whopping $45 an hour. In order to garner that kind of coin, you'd need to have a serious amount of word-of-mouth that you knew what you were doing and were a seasoned veteran. That doesn't happen to someone who just got their CFI or has less than 1000 hours dual given.

 

[Toy Soldier]

labbats

You are correct about the experience=rates. I started out charging the same as the local FBO and raised my rates as I got more ratings/experience.

Once I got the Master CFI my rate went to $35. $45/hr came after I got my ATP.

There are some local instructors (downtown) that charge $65/hr and are booked.

In an earlier post I mentioned that the public doesn't mind paying top-notch money if they are getting top-notch service in return.

I'm not sure when my rates will go up to $65/hr..

 

[banned username 2]

Once I got the Master CFI my rate went to $35. $45/hr came after I got my ATP.

Whats a "Master CFI"?

 

[T/SF34/A]

Supply and Demand

If they want it, they will come.

If you were to try going solo, you could probably make a bit more than working for a flight school. Like said above, you would have to make a name for yourself. It's hard to compete with a well known flight school.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Falcon Capt

Here is the link, if you are interested.

http://www.nafinet.org/mastercfi/index.html

It is a designation earned through the National Association of Flight Instructors. It is also recognized by the FAA as a method for renewing your CFI ticket.