Contract Instructor

[flyf15]

Theres a flight school near me that has contract instructors. I'm a pretty busy college student so I don't know if being an employed instructor would work out too great with my schedule, but being a contract instructor seems appealing. I don't know anything about this, so I'm kind of hesitant...below are a few details.

- They currently have 25 instructors and 14 airplanes... don't know how busy they are, but that seems to be a horrible ratio as far as getting students goes. Although, since I'm very busy, I don't really desire that many students.

- What is the insurance situation like at places like this? Do the CFIs have to buy their own insurance?

- The CFIs have to pay the monthly club dues just like everyone else.

- From what I've heard, becoming an instructor is half-way between an aircraft checkout and an interview.

I'd really appreciate your opinions guys, thanks much.

 

[Ralgha]

Does sound like a horrible instructor to plane ratio.

You'll have to ask them what the insurance situation is, likely you would have to buy your own, plan on $650 a year for $1 million in liability.

If you're fairly sure you'll be able to at least make back your insurance investment, I'd say go for it. That's how I got started while in college and got a small base started to work off of.

 

[flyf15]

Thanks much!

Are there any special tips to getting students at a contract flight school over the typical stuff at a normal flight school (making calls to follow up, being around to talk to people who walk in the door, etc..)?

 

[SigAV8R]

Thanks much!

Are there any special tips to getting students at a contract flight school over the typical stuff at a normal flight school (making calls to follow up, being around to talk to people who walk in the door, etc..)?

For all the FBO contract CFIs, the name of the game is to be around the flight school as much as possible to be there when John Doe newbie walks in and wants an introductory fllight. Otherwise, you'll have to find your own students. Some FBOs do a rotating call type of system where your name is on a list and they keep track of whose turn it is to get the offer for a prospective student. IF you're in college, the FBO just became your new library/study hall. The more you're around, the better your chances of picking up students.