CFI Budget

[surfCRQ]

No Im not refering to the ramen I'll be eating once employed...
I need to get a rough idea of how much I will spend at my flight school to get my cfi.
I know that it is tons of self study, and the flying is mostly a transition to the right seat and an ability to explain manuevers as they are flown. How much ground/ flight should i budget on? How much needs to be complex or should i start in the 152?

152 - $75
PA28-200-RT - $115
Instruction- $35

[mojo6911]

I would say about 5-10 hours of flight instruction and 5-10 hours of ground. It really depends, though.

[Nihon_Ni]

How many hours do you have and how proficient are you with all the private and commercial maneuvers?

Personally, I had about 800 hrs when I began training for my CFI. I flew once a week for about 6 months and logged about 30 hrs dual and 100 hrs ground instruction.

[juskl]

30-40 hours of flight and about 15-20 of ground. First time pass rate for CFI is not good. Usually due to poor preparation and poor flying. I read an article where some FSDO's are going to start giving 709 rides to CFI's that endorse and applicant for a CFI checkride whom is less then prepared. Not that they just messed something up, but that they had no biz being there. So the more time the better.

[mojo6911]

Originally Posted by juskl

30-40 hours of flight and about 15-20 of ground. First time pass rate for CFI is not good. Usually due to poor preparation and poor flying. I read an article where some FSDO's are going to start giving 709 rides to CFI's that endorse and applicant for a CFI checkride whom is less then prepared. Not that they just messed something up, but that they had no biz being there. So the more time the better.

At this level, you are already a Commercial Pilot. I don't have the PTS in front of me, but I don't believe the flying skills are more restrictive for the Flight Instructor than they are for the Commercial Pilot practical.

Like I posted earlier, it all depends. If you have been flying pretty regularly, you can work your way through a FAR/AIM, it shouldn't take that long. Different FSDO's work different ways. Don't take it personally if you fail the checkride.

Do you have any time in the Arrow?

[surfCRQ]

Wow... some differing opinions. I guess this is a very circumstantial matter. I am planning on making this a full time effort. I think I have a good opportunity with an instructor that is willing to work with me. I just passed my commercial ASEL on the 8th of this month. However that was the last time I flew, Ive been on a long vacation. CFI training begins tommorow. I am going to start the flying in a 152, I figure that is the aircraft I will be teaching in most. I plan to transition to the arrow when im comfortable teaching all the ppl stuff in the cessna. My instructor said to plan on at least 10 flights about 15 + hours, and at least 30-40 ground... we'll see. maybe I'll go buy a scratcher, thatll be my budget.

Any more advice?

[imasaluki]

Originally Posted by surfCRQ

Wow... some differing opinions. I guess this is a very circumstantial matter. I am planning on making this a full time effort. I think I have a good opportunity with an instructor that is willing to work with me. I just passed my commercial ASEL on the 8th of this month. However that was the last time I flew, Ive been on a long vacation. CFI training begins tommorow. I am going to start the flying in a 152, I figure that is the aircraft I will be teaching in most. I plan to transition to the arrow when im comfortable teaching all the ppl stuff in the cessna. My instructor said to plan on at least 10 flights about 15 + hours, and at least 30-40 ground... we'll see. maybe I'll go buy a scratcher, thatll be my budget.

Any more advice?

The CFI is very ground intensive. The more prepared you are with your material before the ground lesson, the easier this will be for you. The flying portion will all depend on how well you take to the right seat and how well you're able to teach while you fly. You should probably budget 15-20 hours of flying and get in the Arrow as soon as you can because your checkride will be in the Arrow.

Don't skimp on the ground.

[imasaluki]

Originally Posted by mojo6911

At this level, you are already a Commercial Pilot. I don't have the PTS in front of me, but I don't believe the flying skills are more restrictive for the Flight Instructor than they are for the Commercial Pilot practical.

Like I posted earlier, it all depends. If you have been flying pretty regularly, you can work your way through a FAR/AIM, it shouldn't take that long. Different FSDO's work different ways. Don't take it personally if you fail the checkride.

Do you have any time in the Arrow?

I believe the Flight Instructor PTS says all of the maneuvers should be completed to AT LEAST commercial standards. There are some extra stall demo maneuvers to learn for the CFI as well.

[surfCRQ]

I'm writing a book. It is called CFI Binder. Its gonna be a best seller. I sit in this little apartment hunched over this laptop, writing and revising. Stretching and eating. Drinking beer and falling asleep. This is RAD. ha! any advice.

[Codyjp]

Originally Posted by surfCRQ

I'm writing a book. It is called CFI Binder. Its gonna be a best seller. I sit in this little apartment hunched over this laptop, writing and revising. Stretching and eating. Drinking beer and falling asleep. This is RAD. ha! any advice.

Oh that is easy. I had mine done in 40, 14 hour days. No problemo! JK. Make sure and get some ground and critique on your first few lesson plans so you are sure you are doing it right.

[v1valarob]

ATP gave us 5 hours, haha.

-Rob

[mojo6911]

Originally Posted by surfCRQ

I'm writing a book. It is called CFI Binder. Its gonna be a best seller. I sit in this little apartment hunched over this laptop, writing and revising. Stretching and eating. Drinking beer and falling asleep. This is RAD. ha! any advice.

More than likely, you will never open it again.