Freelance CFI?

[Iceman21]

I am exploring the option of freelancing as a CFI but I am not sure how I should go about doing it.

I have prepared business cards, and I am going to come up with some flyers, brochures, and other literature. However, I am limited (at least I feel limited) by the fact that I don't have an airplane and I am not tied into a club. I am not at a point in my experiece level where I feel I could give advanced instruction and so forth, so I feel as though I am stuck to primary students, and primary students do not generally have their own airplanes or access to airplanes. Travel to other airports is not a problem, there is about 15-16 airports in my area that I could travel to without a problem.

So I know what I want to do, but I need some guidance on how to go about it, and how to shape it all into something that works and is viable.

 

[Nolife]

Freelance

I started out like you. I went from a school to freelancing without
airplanes. Post flyers everywhere, hand out cards, network, get
to know the DPE's in your area (they can be a great resource),
try to get checked out in airplanes at different airports so you can
have greater geographic options... get creative.

If you have a CFII you can find instrument students who own
their own planes. Safety pilot and give flight reviews. Also get to
know mechanics and fbo employees, as they are a good source
of referrals. Good word of mouth and a reputation as a
professional will get you students and keep you busy.

Also if you can afford it advertise in a local paper or magazine.
These ads aren't very expensive and have worked well for me in
the past.

One other thing you may want to try is holding a ground school
or the private and instrument written and ratings. It can meet
once or twice a week for 3-6 weeks and end with a practice
written and an endorsement for the written test (put an
expiration date on it). Make sure you get paid up front or charge
per class. Don't collect at the end because folks tend to loose
focus and quit coming especially with the instrument because it's
so technical.

You have to sell yourself as well as come up with interesting
ways of marketing your skill. I found that to be almost as fun as
the actual flying.

Bottom line is that you have to work harder than if you were at
an established school but you'll be your own boss, set your own
schedule, make more money, fly less, fly a greater variety of
airplanes, and meet some interesting people.

If I had to go back to instructing I'd freelance every time and
twice-on Sunday.

PM me if you have any specific questions. Good luck.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Check out this thread for some ideas...


http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?threadid=22778

 

[de727ups]

Flight schools

Having your own plane would be best but that may not be possible. I recently was able to make a deal with my insurance agent to add free lance CFI's to my policy for $100 a pop. If you were to have several students and approached an FBO about bringing them business...they would be crazy to turn you away. Most will laugh at you and some will use their insurance as an excuse. It only takes one, though, and you'll have a plane to use.

 

[Iceman21]

Check out this thread for some ideas...


http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?threadid=22778

Thank you, printed it and I am looking it over right now.

Having your own plane would be best but that may not be possible. I recently was able to make a deal with my insurance agent to add free lance CFI's to my policy for $100 a pop. If you were to have several students and approached an FBO about bringing them business...they would be crazy to turn you away. Most will laugh at you and some will use their insurance as an excuse. It only takes one, though, and you'll have a plane to use.

I am confused here. Are you saying you have a plane and you are able to add freelancers to your policy?

 

[de727ups]

sorry for confusing you

I am starting a small flight school with my 152, to possibly add my 172, later. I tried to set it up using free lance CFI's but ran into problems with the local airport board and the insurance company. Got the insurance company straightened out with their offer to add CFI's to the policy at $100 per CFI....Otherwise, only "employees" of the business would have been covered. The airport board, which in my view inhibits the growth of general aviation and protects the single large FBO at the airport, doesn't like the idea of free lance CFI's. Not sure how that's gonna turn out....

As far as a single individual wanting to free lance. You would be better off it you bought a plane. I've seen several 150's go at ebay for under 20K. But I understand how that is above many people's means.

Yes...I was able to add free lancer's to my policy after exchanging several emails with the agent. He just couldn't figure out why I would want to do that and it was obvious that it just isn't done that way. But he finally went to the underwriter who agreed to do it for a price...and a price that I actually found reasonable.

Old Republic Insurance Co is the insurance company. Phoenix Aviation Managers is "issuing and policyholder servicing office" and I won't mention the name of my actual agent...I probably already pissed him off enough as it is...hehe. Talking about a bunch of middle men...there has to be a better way....

 

[Iceman21]

there has to be a better way

I am still thinking through all the stuff that Toy Solder mentioned in his thread. It is easy to ingest, however, another beast when putting into practice.

I am the type that wants everything to be in place all at the same time. I am starting realize how hard it is to lay the ground work and how much I have to learn about actually marketing myself.

Good times.

 

[siucavflight]

Iceman,
A good option other than doing freelance instruction is to work for the place that you got your CFI from, they are usually very willing to hire their own students.

 

[Iceman21]

Iceman,
A good option other than doing freelance instruction is to work for the place that you got your CFI from, they are usually very willing to hire their own students.

Working there already. However, low man on the todem pole and the students are scare when they finally get to my name on the schedule.

The freelancing is to supplement what I am doing at work until I have black book full of names to separate.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Working there already. However, low man on the todem pole and the students are scare when they finally get to my name on the schedule.

The freelancing is to supplement what I am doing at work until I have black book full of names to separate.

So "freelance" there. Develop your own clientele and bring your own students in. Just like you would do with your own airplane, but using theirs.

The calculation you have to make is whether the "split" with the school on the hourly instruction rate makes sense in light of what your costs would be if you were entirely on your own.

 

[Iceman21]

The calculation you have to make is whether the "split" with the school on the hourly instruction rate makes sense in light of what your costs would be if you were entirely on your own.

I understand that thought and it may end up be a viable option until I build experience to head out on my own.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Quote by Iceman21
I am still thinking through all the stuff that Toy Solder mentioned in his thread. It is easy to ingest, however, another beast when putting into practice.

LOL... All of those ideas weren't implemented from day one! They kind of evolved into a methodology. It took me two years of trial and error to come up with my "core ideas". Also, some of those ideas were contributed by other posters.

And yes, one idea, however seemingly trivial, can require umpteen manhours to implement and follow up on. You will have to decide which ones will return the biggest bang for the buck - in your case.

Some of the ideas are obviously "short term" while others are "long haul" items. Good luck!