HOw do you leave an instructor?

blee256 · February 20th, 2003, 15:09

Hey guys I have an odd question for you, I will be attending ATP in April, starting off witht their private pilot program. ATP asked me to take a couple lessons before I apply to atp. So I did, well a couple lessons turned into 7 or 8. and I signed up for their ground school as well. I never told my instrutor that I was going to attend anther school. But now, my balance only has enough for about 1 more lesson. I think its pointless to keep flying there because I will attending ATP's and theirs is a flat fee? So what do I tell him? Just say bye, this is my last lesson, I'll be leavingyou? I feel kinda bad. Because I like my instructor. ANd you guys always poke fun at how poor CFI's are. So is it normal for CFI's to lose students?

thanks,
brian

I_Money · February 20th, 2003, 15:48

Dude just tell him how it is, and ask them to move your funds over to my account!
Cheers

MDPilot · February 20th, 2003, 15:56

Brian,

Here's a better idea. Call ATP and tell them to kiss off, you have found a instructor that you like, and your ticket will cost half what they want to charge. Use the rest of the money to get your instrument ticket.

Jason · February 20th, 2003, 16:03

I have to agree. I went to All ATP's for my ATP in 2000 and I had a great instructor and it's a fine school but unless you have a good reason for leaving your current flight school, why leave??? It seems as though you like your current school/instructor.

Jason

carlos · February 20th, 2003, 16:06

[ QUOTE ]
Dude just tell him how it is, and ask them to move your funds over to my account!

[/ QUOTE ]

Good advice, for the most part. Really, just explain what's going on and how it's best for you and your career plans. If you just lay out the facts in a reasonable manner, your CFI should agree that it's best for you, too. Leave anything personal out of it, although it sounds like you don't have those issues anyway. Good luck!

blee256 · February 20th, 2003, 17:31

[ QUOTE ]
Brian,

Here's a better idea. Call ATP and tell them to kiss off, you have found a instructor that you like, and your ticket will cost half what they want to charge. Use the rest of the money to get your instrument ticket.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well Lenair isnt the cheapest when it comes to FBO's. Not bad, but not cheap. I have probably spent about 800 to 1000 dollars so far and I have just over 7 hours in a 152. At ATP the private couse is a flat rate of 4995. And its 85 hours in a 172. I dont care which I fly, I just chose the 152 cuz I can fit in it, so there is no reason to pay extra for the 172.

-Brian

Aviator_925 · February 20th, 2003, 20:21

Brian,
I hope you thought about your decision carefully. If so, I suggest you take him out to lunch (you buy) and be honest. Tell him you appreciate all the knowledge he has passed on to you and that you have decided to pay ATPs price in order to get to your destination. Stay in touch with him. Also, if possible, see if a friend would be interested in flying lesson with him. If he is a cool dude and dear to you, then this would be acceptable. Instructors do loose students. But, leaving with class is always best. Now, get ready for ATP. Best wishes to you there.

flyitup · February 20th, 2003, 22:45

[ QUOTE ]

Here's a better idea. Call ATP and tell them to kiss off, you have found a instructor that you like, and your ticket will cost half what they want to charge. Use the rest of the money to get your instrument ticket.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh lordy.. I hate to risk getting "flamed", but I couldn't agree more.

Jason · February 21st, 2003, 05:35

$800-$1000 for 7 hours in a 152????????? Yikes - that's between about $115 and $145 PER HOUR. It hasn't been that long since I was renting 152's and I was only paying $55 an hour - has flight training really gotten that expensive????

Jason

ready2fly · February 21st, 2003, 06:31

I just went through this very experience = changing instructors AND FBO's.

The bottom line is: Be honest with your current instructor. He's been where you are right now. He will understand.

Believe me - I sweated the move that I made, but it was the best move for ME. You do what YOU think is best for YOU.

If you believe ATP is the right program FOR YOU - then tell these other posters to kiss off.

It's your life and your money.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

R2F

I_Money · February 21st, 2003, 06:58

They charge about $65-70 for an hour in a 152, and about $35 for instruction. I remember at that place I used to send $67 for an hour of dual! Oh the good old days boys!

Mahesh · February 21st, 2003, 08:19

Yeah plus if he is signed up for ground school, that's about another $250 and then there are the books and plotters etc. Money adds up quickly!

Mahesh

Doug Taylor · February 21st, 2003, 08:34

The good old days was back in 1987 when I'd pay $32/hr (wet) for a Tomahawk and $15/hr for flight instruction!

I_Money · February 21st, 2003, 09:37

Doug 4 is a bit early to learn to fly, heck some people think 14 is to young to start flying!

Brandon · February 21st, 2003, 10:21

[ QUOTE ]
Instructors do loose students.

[/ QUOTE ]
Isn't that against flight school policy?

Doug Taylor · February 21st, 2003, 10:21

Fraternization!

tonyw · February 21st, 2003, 10:24

Has anyone noticed that when you pay an instructor who is a contractor it's cheaper than when you go through an FBO?

I may do that for my instrument rating. I may join a flying club that's at an airport that doesn't require you to submit to a proctological exam from the TSA in order to fly. Then I'll use one of their instructors since it will be cheaper.

pilot602 · February 21st, 2003, 10:32

Eh, here's something that'll make you sick -

Back when my Dad was building time he would rent his Champ or Tri-Pacer (can't remember which) to his friend for $6/hr WET.

About the cheapest airplane in PHX right now is roughly about an $80/hr 152 (that's dual, wet) but still ...

ready2fly · February 21st, 2003, 10:42

Here's how my FBO breaks it down:

(all prices wet)
C-150 $45/hr
PA38-115 Tomahawk $45/hr.
C-172 - $70/hr.
PA28-161 Warrior $70/hr.
PA...umm...ARROW $90/hr.
And the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW 172SP with Bendix/King 550 moving map and KLN 94 GPS $90/hr

Instructors - $26/hr (dry)

We also have a Beech Travel Air that is only used for training at $175/hr.

Those are the cheapest anywhere in this town.

blee256 · February 21st, 2003, 12:43

well yeah, the C-152's rent for about 70-80 dollars an hour, plus 35 for instructor. And that 800 dollar quote didnt include my ground school of 250 and its supplies. If you add that then thats well over a grand. i have probable spent about 230 for supplies and books.

thanks R2F about my career choice. I wanted to go to the academies, but I Dont like the idea of paying back a 80+K loan for the next 20 years. If money wasnt an issue, I would definitely go to Comair. If the FBO was considerably cheaper than ATP, I would stay at Lenair, its a good shool. But when my instrucor gave me the price sheet it came to close to 30K without my instructor ratings. so add another 5k for that and its 33-36k. ATP is 38k and you get a lot more multi time. and the instructor job at ATP seems more attractive than Lenair, both financially and for building time. SOCAL mentioned he had something like 5 or 600 hours of multi and he has only been insturcting for 8 months or so. I dont consider myself to be an idiot, so I think i made the best choice. I have considered my options and I chose what the best for me would be.

-Brian

drumminpilot · February 21st, 2003, 13:59

[ QUOTE ]
Here's how my FBO breaks it down:

(all prices wet)
C-150 $45/hr
PA38-115 Tomahawk $45/hr.
C-172 - $70/hr.
PA28-161 Warrior $70/hr.
PA...umm...ARROW $90/hr.
And the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW 172SP with Bendix/King 550 moving map and KLN 94 GPS $90/hr

Instructors - $26/hr (dry)

We also have a Beech Travel Air that is only used for training at $175/hr.

[/ QUOTE ]

Those are really good prices for FL. I'd post what I'm paying, but I'm afraid it'd pi$$ everybody off.....

flyitup · February 21st, 2003, 20:07

[ QUOTE ]
Those are really good prices for FL. I'd post what I'm paying, but I'm afraid it'd pi$$ everybody off.....

[/ QUOTE ]

No kidding!

I think the only one that has us beat as far as rates are concerned is braidkid... Nice Cessna employee benie!!

Alchemy · February 21st, 2003, 21:22

Be careful! I left my second CFI in an extremely rude manner. The planes he was giving me instruction in were constantly down for maintenance, and no one would call me in advance to tell me not to go to the airport. I'd make a 30 minute drive to the field only to wait around another half hour for my CFI to show up before I started to ask around and find out on my own that the plane was down for MX.

When this sequence of events happened for the 4th time within a period of 3 or 4 months, I acted on impulse (very frustrated right about then), drove to another flight school at the airport, walked in, and signed up with them. I never even bothered to call my old CFI and tell him I was quitting him.

Eventually, about a month or so later he emailed me and ask me to return a book that he had lent to me and I had forgotten about. I sent him back an apologetic email, then drove out to the airport the same day to drop off his book.

I feel really bad about it, because he wasn't responsible for the planes breaking. On the other hand someone should've called me ahead of time so I wouldn't have kept getting stood up at the airport.

The CFI at my current flight school actually made sure to check up and talk to my old one to make sure I wasn't some kind of psycho who got into fights with instructors before he started giving me lessons. All in all, I wish I could've handled this differently because now I'm sure there are a few people out there who have a less than favorable opinion about me.

February 20th, 2003, 15:09	#1
blee256 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: lower canada Posts: 1,604	HOw do you leave an instructor? Hey guys I have an odd question for you, I will be attending ATP in April, starting off witht their private pilot program. ATP asked me to take a couple lessons before I apply to atp. So I did, well a couple lessons turned into 7 or 8. and I signed up for their ground school as well. I never told my instrutor that I was going to attend anther school. But now, my balance only has enough for about 1 more lesson. I think its pointless to keep flying there because I will attending ATP's and theirs is a flat fee? So what do I tell him? Just say bye, this is my last lesson, I'll be leavingyou? I feel kinda bad. Because I like my instructor. ANd you guys always poke fun at how poor CFI's are. So is it normal for CFI's to lose students? thanks, brian

February 20th, 2003, 15:48	#2
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,645	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Dude just tell him how it is, and ask them to move your funds over to my account! Cheers

February 20th, 2003, 15:56	#3
MDPilot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southeast US Posts: 754	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Brian, Here's a better idea. Call ATP and tell them to kiss off, you have found a instructor that you like, and your ticket will cost half what they want to charge. Use the rest of the money to get your instrument ticket.

February 20th, 2003, 16:03	#4
Jason Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 975	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? I have to agree. I went to All ATP's for my ATP in 2000 and I had a great instructor and it's a fine school but unless you have a good reason for leaving your current flight school, why leave??? It seems as though you like your current school/instructor. Jason

February 20th, 2003, 16:06	#5
carlos Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 91	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? [ QUOTE ] Dude just tell him how it is, and ask them to move your funds over to my account! [/ QUOTE ] Good advice, for the most part. Really, just explain what's going on and how it's best for you and your career plans. If you just lay out the facts in a reasonable manner, your CFI should agree that it's best for you, too. Leave anything personal out of it, although it sounds like you don't have those issues anyway. Good luck!

February 20th, 2003, 17:31	#6
blee256 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: lower canada Posts: 1,604	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? [ QUOTE ] Brian, Here's a better idea. Call ATP and tell them to kiss off, you have found a instructor that you like, and your ticket will cost half what they want to charge. Use the rest of the money to get your instrument ticket. [/ QUOTE ] Well Lenair isnt the cheapest when it comes to FBO's. Not bad, but not cheap. I have probably spent about 800 to 1000 dollars so far and I have just over 7 hours in a 152. At ATP the private couse is a flat rate of 4995. And its 85 hours in a 172. I dont care which I fly, I just chose the 152 cuz I can fit in it, so there is no reason to pay extra for the 172. -Brian

February 20th, 2003, 20:21	#7
Aviator_925 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 12	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Brian, I hope you thought about your decision carefully. If so, I suggest you take him out to lunch (you buy) and be honest. Tell him you appreciate all the knowledge he has passed on to you and that you have decided to pay ATPs price in order to get to your destination. Stay in touch with him. Also, if possible, see if a friend would be interested in flying lesson with him. If he is a cool dude and dear to you, then this would be acceptable. Instructors do loose students. But, leaving with class is always best. Now, get ready for ATP. Best wishes to you there.

February 20th, 2003, 22:45	#8
flyitup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 620	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? [ QUOTE ] Here's a better idea. Call ATP and tell them to kiss off, you have found a instructor that you like, and your ticket will cost half what they want to charge. Use the rest of the money to get your instrument ticket. [/ QUOTE ] Oh lordy.. I hate to risk getting "flamed", but I couldn't agree more.

February 21st, 2003, 05:35	#9
Jason Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 975	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? $800-$1000 for 7 hours in a 152????????? Yikes - that's between about $115 and $145 PER HOUR. It hasn't been that long since I was renting 152's and I was only paying $55 an hour - has flight training really gotten that expensive???? Jason

February 21st, 2003, 06:31	#10
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,080	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? I just went through this very experience = changing instructors AND FBO's. The bottom line is: Be honest with your current instructor. He's been where you are right now. He will understand. Believe me - I sweated the move that I made, but it was the best move for ME. You do what YOU think is best for YOU. If you believe ATP is the right program FOR YOU - then tell these other posters to kiss off. It's your life and your money. Good luck! Keep us posted. R2F

February 21st, 2003, 06:58	#11
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,645	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? They charge about $65-70 for an hour in a 152, and about $35 for instruction. I remember at that place I used to send $67 for an hour of dual! Oh the good old days boys!

February 21st, 2003, 08:19	#12
Mahesh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Northern Hemisphere Posts: 1,311	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Yeah plus if he is signed up for ground school, that's about another $250 and then there are the books and plotters etc. Money adds up quickly! Mahesh

February 21st, 2003, 08:34	#13
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,825 Blog Entries: 1	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? The good old days was back in 1987 when I'd pay $32/hr (wet) for a Tomahawk and $15/hr for flight instruction!

February 21st, 2003, 09:37	#14
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,645	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Doug 4 is a bit early to learn to fly, heck some people think 14 is to young to start flying!

February 21st, 2003, 10:21	#15
Brandon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 111	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? [ QUOTE ] Instructors do loose students. [/ QUOTE ] Isn't that against flight school policy?

February 21st, 2003, 10:24	#17
tonyw Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 15,166	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Has anyone noticed that when you pay an instructor who is a contractor it's cheaper than when you go through an FBO? I may do that for my instrument rating. I may join a flying club that's at an airport that doesn't require you to submit to a proctological exam from the TSA in order to fly. Then I'll use one of their instructors since it will be cheaper.

February 21st, 2003, 10:32	#18
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,750	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Eh, here's something that'll make you sick - Back when my Dad was building time he would rent his Champ or Tri-Pacer (can't remember which) to his friend for $6/hr WET. About the cheapest airplane in PHX right now is roughly about an $80/hr 152 (that's dual, wet) but still ...

February 21st, 2003, 10:42	#19
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,080	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Here's how my FBO breaks it down: (all prices wet) C-150 $45/hr PA38-115 Tomahawk $45/hr. C-172 - $70/hr. PA28-161 Warrior $70/hr. PA...umm...ARROW $90/hr. And the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW 172SP with Bendix/King 550 moving map and KLN 94 GPS $90/hr Instructors - $26/hr (dry) We also have a Beech Travel Air that is only used for training at $175/hr. Those are the cheapest anywhere in this town.

February 21st, 2003, 12:43	#20
blee256 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: lower canada Posts: 1,604	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? well yeah, the C-152's rent for about 70-80 dollars an hour, plus 35 for instructor. And that 800 dollar quote didnt include my ground school of 250 and its supplies. If you add that then thats well over a grand. i have probable spent about 230 for supplies and books. thanks R2F about my career choice. I wanted to go to the academies, but I Dont like the idea of paying back a 80+K loan for the next 20 years. If money wasnt an issue, I would definitely go to Comair. If the FBO was considerably cheaper than ATP, I would stay at Lenair, its a good shool. But when my instrucor gave me the price sheet it came to close to 30K without my instructor ratings. so add another 5k for that and its 33-36k. ATP is 38k and you get a lot more multi time. and the instructor job at ATP seems more attractive than Lenair, both financially and for building time. SOCAL mentioned he had something like 5 or 600 hours of multi and he has only been insturcting for 8 months or so. I dont consider myself to be an idiot, so I think i made the best choice. I have considered my options and I chose what the best for me would be. -Brian

February 21st, 2003, 13:59	#21
drumminpilot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Springdale, AR (XNA/RVS/ASG) Posts: 320	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? [ QUOTE ] Here's how my FBO breaks it down: (all prices wet) C-150 $45/hr PA38-115 Tomahawk $45/hr. C-172 - $70/hr. PA28-161 Warrior $70/hr. PA...umm...ARROW $90/hr. And the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW 172SP with Bendix/King 550 moving map and KLN 94 GPS $90/hr Instructors - $26/hr (dry) We also have a Beech Travel Air that is only used for training at $175/hr. [/ QUOTE ] Those are really good prices for FL. I'd post what I'm paying, but I'm afraid it'd pi$$ everybody off.....

February 21st, 2003, 20:07	#22
flyitup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 620	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? [ QUOTE ] Those are really good prices for FL. I'd post what I'm paying, but I'm afraid it'd pi$$ everybody off..... [/ QUOTE ] No kidding! I think the only one that has us beat as far as rates are concerned is braidkid... Nice Cessna employee benie!!

February 21st, 2003, 21:22	#23
Alchemy Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 1,722	Re: HOw do you leave an instructor? Be careful! I left my second CFI in an extremely rude manner. The planes he was giving me instruction in were constantly down for maintenance, and no one would call me in advance to tell me not to go to the airport. I'd make a 30 minute drive to the field only to wait around another half hour for my CFI to show up before I started to ask around and find out on my own that the plane was down for MX. When this sequence of events happened for the 4th time within a period of 3 or 4 months, I acted on impulse (very frustrated right about then), drove to another flight school at the airport, walked in, and signed up with them. I never even bothered to call my old CFI and tell him I was quitting him. Eventually, about a month or so later he emailed me and ask me to return a book that he had lent to me and I had forgotten about. I sent him back an apologetic email, then drove out to the airport the same day to drop off his book. I feel really bad about it, because he wasn't responsible for the planes breaking. On the other hand someone should've called me ahead of time so I wouldn't have kept getting stood up at the airport. The CFI at my current flight school actually made sure to check up and talk to my old one to make sure I wasn't some kind of psycho who got into fights with instructors before he started giving me lessons. All in all, I wish I could've handled this differently because now I'm sure there are a few people out there who have a less than favorable opinion about me.

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