Considering Joining NAFI - Worth It?

[GEUAviator]

Any current or past members of NAFI on this board? I recently received a mail offer to join.

Just curious. I suppose $39 wouldn't set me back too much! Then again, I'm a CFI...

Thanks,
GEUAviator

 

[avbug]

I was a member for a couple of years. They couldn't even get my name right on the web site, were slow to update, didn't answer questions, didn't do well on a single thing they were supposed to do...except that two years after I refused to renew my membership I was still getting a subscription to Flying Magazine with a sticker on it that said "NAFI Membership Benifit."

NAFI is a token EAA effort, but only a token.

 

[bobbysamd]

NAFI

I belonged to it. I recall getting very little out of it, but it certainly can't hurt. And the $39 membership is a tax deduction.

 

[Toy Soldier]

You do get an electronic newsletter as well as a hardcopy Mentor magazine. I do find it informative. Yes, thay are a growing organization and what you "get out of it" will be different for each individual.

I am happy with the organization as a whole. In fact, in March I got my Master CFI designation from them. The news reports themselves were worth it. They also gave me a very nice plaque, membership card, and other goodies.

Also, the FAA recognizes it as a substitute for the CFI renewal. For $30, NAFI will send me a certified letter to take to the FAA in exchange for a fresh CFI ticket. If you would spend $150 renewing on line anyway, why not spend $175 with NAFI and get renewed as well as the right to say that you are a MASTER CFI? It's a lot of work, but worth it.

You also get many discounts from suplliers for being a member. For one, Gleim will give you free shipping if you are a NAFI member. I sell Gleim products, so, I save a bit there. You will save your membership fees in discounts if you buy from the various places that offer discounts.

YES, join!

 

[80/20]

They used to publish a nice hard copy color magazine with good illustrated articles. Do they still do that?

 

[Toy Soldier]

Mentor publication

They publish a MENTOR magazine that has color covers, front and back. It is about 12 pages or so.

 

[varicam]

I am happy with the organization as a whole. In fact, in March I got my Master CFI designation from them.

Heck, for 175 bucks I'll send you a Master of the Universe CFI designation. Like the NAFI Master CFI, it's great for impressing pre-solo students, but not a whole lot else.

 

[Flying Illini]

Your "master cfi" designation will do you little good unless you instruct at a part 61 outfit. Then, like mentioned above, it will help you impress new students and attract more customers for you. If I had to decide between two people who were equally qualified I would probably want the one who boasts a "master cfi" designation. But I doubt you will attract many experienced pilots just b/c of that designation. $175 is alot of money for a word added to the beginning of your title. Do it if you want, but very little benefit comes of it. There are only a few NAFI members in the part 141 school I used to teach at and they aren't running aroudn recommending it to anyone.

 

[Toy Soldier]

That "word" has already gotten me business from experienced pilots. The experienced pilots are the ones that are MORE impressed than the beginners, since the beginners don't even know what "CFI" stands for.

Like I said, if you are gonna pay for a renewal ANYWAY, then why not pay NAFI and get the extra "word". Like I recently got the "word" ATP added to my name. "Words" mean a lot to folks, especially when it denotes professionalism, experience, "been there done that", etc.

The economics makes sense. Pay NAFI, get your Master, or pay Eagle-something-or-other and get your CFI "renewal". Also, I have found in the past that the ones that "don't have" are usually the ones that complain and say that "it isn't worth it". It is a lot of work to get AND to renew.

Also, my advice comes from "me", a SUCCESSFUL CFI that turns down students because I am too busy, charge and get $45/hr with no questions.

Bottom line, I will take the "word" since it is greatly helping out my already sucessful profession.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Insurance rates

I get soooooo many benefits from NAFI that I forgot to mention this one. Having a Master designation gets me CFI insurance at about $350/year cheaper than AOPA.

Here are some others:

1. ASA products @ 20% off
2. Gleim @ free shipping
3. Iowa State Press @ 40% off
4. Flywrite Systems @ 20% off
5. Discount CFI insurance
6. National recognition

I sell Gleim products and have made back my subscription rate just in the free shipping, plus some. That's money in my pocket.

The bottom line, it is like anything else in lfe; "It is what you make of it"....

Good luck and may God Bless

 

[cessna_driver2]

Gleim will give you free shipping if you are a NAFI member.

Gleim will give free shipping if you use a credit card to order.

 

[Pilotadjuster]

NAFI

I think its worth it; the CFI insurance plan alone is a great benefit and carries a coverage very similar to the AOPA Legal Plan, but included in the policy fee. If you are a Master CFI, you even get a discount on what seems to be a well-priced plan.

Mentor has improved a lot over the past year, as far as content.

I would pay $19.95/year for Flying anyway, so another $20 for the insurance and other benefits is worth it to me. I also put the seal on my business card. Hard to say if it is worth much, but it does make the card stick out among others. Membership in a professional organization also makes an impression with some of your prospective students, many of whom may belong to professional organizations and see that as a mark of someone dedicated to his profession.

As far as Gleim--they give you free shipping. I have ordered from them before using a credit card and had to pay for shipping every time.

Toy Soldier--retired at CPT? did you have previous enlisted time?
---CPT, Armor (Reserve, Natn Gd), and discharged last year.

 

[Toy Soldier]

PilotAdjuster

Yes, I retired as an infantry captain after 23 years active, guards and reserves. I was enlisted for 13 years, then did the OCS thing.

Hooah!

 

[Pilotadjuster]

Follow me!

Always good to see a fellow combat arms guy doing well! Didn't have any enlisted time myself, "just" 12 years guard and reserve after ROTC (which is another 4...).