Making it as a freelance instructor

[cookmg]

I was hoping some of you who have had experience in freelance would care to comment on the difficulites and possibilities within this job. Can a new instructor build up to full time within 90 days of earning their ticket? How can a new instructor set himself apart from other instructors and get some students? Does your job become salesman instead of instructor?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[bigD]

I'm not a freelance CFI myself, but I know a couple, and have picked their brains about this subject myself.

Hurdle number one is having a plane to instruct from. Either you own your own, or you have a special arrangement with a flight school to instruct in their planes. Flight schools generally don't allow freelance instructors, so it could be tough to find something to instruct in.

The freelance people I know seem to do well enough, but they're also very, very outgoing people that play the salesman game exceptionally well. You're going to have to look at your own personality and make sure you're prepared to do the necessary schmoozing and legwork to get students. This is going to be pretty tough initially, but after you get a couple of students and get more well known around the airport - it'll get easier. One friend of mine has built such a reputation, she doesn't really have to work to get students anymore. They just flow in on their own from the recommendations of other pilots.

So it's possible, but many CFI's I know would just rather work for a school, take the lower pay, but not have to worry about the salesman role.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Making it as a freelance CFI

Have faith! You can make it work.

As a SUCCESSFUL freelancer, I will share the following tips:

1. Work now to begin earning your NAFI Master CFI designation. It takes two years, but the payoff in having the designation will enable you to command higher rates.

2. Buy and read the book "The Savy CFI". Read it several times. I would recommend that it be required reading!

3. Get into the "circles" of folks that know folks that have money! I typically fly lawyers, doctors and other professionals. I do this because they have money and don't mind flying regularly. They also don't mind paying higher rates - since they themselves charge higher rates! They will also refer you to their friends! I got three students at a lawyer/doctor Christmas party one year!

4. Charge for ALL of your time. I bill out at $45/hr, flight or ground. I typically give them a break and charge $35/hr if they pay me in 10 hour blocks.

5. The problem with #3 above is that they need their own planes. Therefore, I do my best to convince them of purchasing their own. All of my students have their own planes or have access to one.

6. Freelance out of a school. You may be able to work out a deal with the local school so that you get paid for your students that you bring since the school is making money on the plane rental. I had this deal worked out once. Also, you can work the schools students while you build your own student base.

7. Search on LANDINGS.COM and find the folks in your area that have their own planes. Then contact them to see if they need BFR's, IPC's, or want to earn their instrument ticket! BE PRO-ACTIVE!

8. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! Word of mouth does wonders. I also have "Flight Instructor" sewn on a lot of my shirts - which sparks conversation in public! I have gotten students this way.

9. Advertise through the AOPA instructor program. Gleim will also give you mention on their page. I have gotten several full time students off of my AOPA listing.

10. Join NAFI (National Association of Flight Instructors).

Obviously, this list is NOT all inclusive. Be creative. Don't sell yourself out for free like some instructors do. Be professional. Don't be afraid to get out there and hustle either. When I first started instructing, I became "on demand" so much that I was flying more per month (as a part-time CFI) that the highest flying full-time CFI - this was because I worked the system, etc...

Good luck, and hit the ground running!




7.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Ignore the 7 above at bottom of page!

I hit a key by accident! Oooops, sorry... There is NO info to go with the #7 at the bottom of the page......

 

[Deftone45075]

Cookmg,

If you can go freelance, do it. You can earn a lot more money that way.