CFI costs

JaceTheAce · April 28th, 2007, 14:59

I am trying to compare 3 options for my CFI training I will be starting this June or July. What would a reasonable range be for total non-complex and complex time and ground instruction time to complete the CFI training? Could you also break down an "average" of what time most motivated students finish separating it all by total hours for CFII and MEI too?

I have the following costs for the option I am looking into in San Diego (although haven't ruled out training at ATP yet):

Non-complex - Cessna 152: $52/wet
Complex - Cessna 172 RG: $89/wet
Multi-engine - Beech Duchess: $169/wet
Flight Instruction Fee: $35/hr

And yes, I do know about the difficulty to pass the CFI initials at the San Diego FSDO.

MikeOH58 · April 28th, 2007, 15:40

geeez...I wish I lived in SD after seeing the prices you posted! Nothing like that anywhere in Connecticut for training.

Andrew_VT · April 28th, 2007, 16:06

Those are good rates. As for how many hours for the CFI, I think it totally depends on how recent your commercial ride was. My CFI ride wasen't really that different than a commercial ride except the FSDO guy made me 3X as nervous and talked constantly trying to screw me up. I dont think the guy had been in anything smaller than a turboprop in quite some time. I was told the Portland, ME pass rate was 23% when I went through there, not sure of the accuracy of that though.

JaceTheAce · April 28th, 2007, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_VT

Those are good rates. As for how many hours for the CFI, I think it totally depends on how recent your commercial ride was. My CFI ride wasen't really that different than a commercial ride except the FSDO guy made me 3X as nervous and talked constantly trying to screw me up. I dont think the guy had been in anything smaller than a turboprop in quite some time. I was told the Portland, ME pass rate was 23% when I went through there, not sure of the accuracy of that though.

My commercial ride was last December, so not too far back. I am still pretty refreshed with those maneuvers and I didn't have any difficulty performing them to standards.

montanapilot · April 28th, 2007, 18:26

damn those are good rates. do your MEI as initial is my advice the other rides will be a cakewalk if you knock out the hardest one first.

SmitteyB · April 28th, 2007, 18:29

No matter what- the initial is the hardest.

If you do the CFI first- it will be the hardest. If you do the II first, it will be. Same with the MEI.

cypilot77 · April 28th, 2007, 18:35

With the above prices i wouldnt mind do any one first. Even if you fail the first time, you dont have to worry about the big $$$$. Just choose the one you feel more comfortable and keep taking the test as many times as you need to. I wish you pass it at the first time though. Here in Long island,NY the cheapest price you can get today is $125 an hour plus taxes for a piper. So imagine.

tprops4me · April 28th, 2007, 18:37

Why are you not doing it at UND. I thought all that was in the program. Did I miss something.

Andrew_VT · April 28th, 2007, 18:44

If you are set on your commercial manuvers, then the best advice I can think of is 'keep it simple'. In the oral, when asked a question, give the most basic answer possible then shut you mouth... they love nothing more than to listen to you talk yourself into a hole. I got in trouble on my oral with the most basic questions, I was expecting commercial level questions, I got Private level questions that I had taken for granted. A very memorable exchange from my oral:

examiner: "how many kinds of airspeed are there?"
me: "umm...indicated...absolute...umm..."
examiner: "no I didnt ask you to name them, how many?"
me: "well hold on I'm counting..."
examiner: "well you should know it without counting...this is the stuff you're supposed to be teaching...you need to know it"

30 minutes later:
examiner: "well you got off to a rough start but you're doing better now...I still dont know if I can pass someone that dosent know how many different kinds of airspeed there are though"

I never failed... but it was the most fustrating week of my life (yes week...long story)

JaceTheAce · April 28th, 2007, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by tprops4me

Why are you not doing it at UND. I thought all that was in the program. Did I miss something.

Well, would you pay $8175 for UND's CFI initial program? Or go the FBO route and potentially save $5000-6000?

I'm an Aviation Management major, so CFI and II is not required.

TheAlchemist · April 28th, 2007, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Non-complex - Cessna 152: $52/wet
Complex - Cessna 172 RG: $89/wet
Multi-engine - Beech Duchess: $169/wet
Flight Instruction Fee: $35/hr

And yes, I do know about the difficulty to pass the CFI initials at the San Diego FSDO.

WHAA? WHERE IN SAN DIEGO?

tprops4me · April 28th, 2007, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

I'm an Aviation Management major, so CFI and II is not required.

Now I see. Thought you had to do it through them. Yeah, do the fbo thing. Sorry.

JaceTheAce · April 28th, 2007, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAlchemist

WHAA? WHERE IN SAN DIEGO?

mojo6911 · April 29th, 2007, 00:14

My background.

90% of my time in 172's. Did my Commercial in Sept in the Arrow. Wasn't really flying much, and did my CFI ride in a 172RG in January. I flew 3 flights, and did a few hours of ground. I studied a lot on my own and had a solid grasp of the regs before starting my training, and I nailed my checkride.

If you have a good foundation to start with, like I did, it shouldn't take more than about 10-15 hours of ground and about 5-10 hours of flight time.

JaceTheAce · April 29th, 2007, 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo6911

My background.

90% of my time in 172's. Did my Commercial in Sept in the Arrow. Wasn't really flying much, and did my CFI ride in a 172RG in January. I flew 3 flights, and did a few hours of ground. I studied a lot on my own and had a solid grasp of the regs before starting my training, and I nailed my checkride.

If you have a good foundation to start with, like I did, it should take more than about 10-15 hours of ground and about 5-10 hours of flight time.

Thank you... this is the kind of post I was looking for.

montanapilot · April 29th, 2007, 03:07

i agree it is all about the ground study. i probably did about 5 or 6 training flight for the CFI but went into hermit mode and studyed like a madman.

JaceTheAce · April 29th, 2007, 03:12

This is what I came up with on Excel. Does it sound about right?

mojo6911 · April 29th, 2007, 03:50

I would just do it all in the RG. You are going to have to use it for the checkride anyways. It is worth the $150 total price difference, IMO.

TheAlchemist · April 29th, 2007, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Thanks!

JaceTheAce · April 29th, 2007, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo6911

I would just do it all in the RG. You are going to have to use it for the checkride anyways. It is worth the $150 total price difference, IMO.

Good point. I wish they had a cheap Arrow to fly - I'm much more used to flying that.

TheAlchemist · April 29th, 2007, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Do you know if that price allows you to bring a safety pilot along?

Thanks.

JaceTheAce · April 29th, 2007, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAlchemist

Do you know if that price allows you to bring a safety pilot along?

Thanks.

Not sure if they want you to be a member of the club if you're a safety pilot (I would doubt they'd care). I think the dues are only $25/mo.

Check your PM...

TheAlchemist · April 29th, 2007, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Not sure if they want you to be a member of the club if you're a safety pilot (I would doubt they'd care). I think the dues are only $25/mo.

Check your PM...

I did and back at ya!

PanJet · April 29th, 2007, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Non-complex - Cessna 152: $52/wet
Complex - Cessna 172 RG: $89/wet
Multi-engine - Beech Duchess: $169/wet
Flight Instruction Fee: $35/hr

I'm paying $169/hour for a Turbo Seminole with GPS/MFD/HSI/Dual Nav and Com/Dual Attitude Indicators/Autopilot, at least for now. I've heard it's going up to $175/hour soon, but still very reasonable.

As far as the CFI training, I was similar to mojo. Finished my commercial in the Arrow in Feb, then it was down for a while for annual and other maintenance stuff. While it was down I did a bunch of ground for CFI, then probably 8-10 hours of flying in July to get recurrent on all the maneuvers, and finally a checkride in the beginning of August.

CFII only took me five flights with an instructor and a couple ground lessons, but I also was quite proficient at instruments since I love instrument flying. I've seen it take much much longer for people who haven't used their instrument ratings since they got it (and no, just flying six approaches every six months doesn't count in my opinion).

MEI took me a total of three flights after I got my multi. Did it in three days.

JaceTheAce · April 29th, 2007, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanJet

I'm paying $169/hour for a Turbo Seminole with GPS/MFD/HSI/Dual Nav and Com/Dual Attitude Indicators/Autopilot, at least for now. I've heard it's going up to $175/hour soon, but still very reasonable.

As far as the CFI training, I was similar to mojo. Finished my commercial in the Arrow in Feb, then it was down for a while for annual and other maintenance stuff. While it was down I did a bunch of ground for CFI, then probably 8-10 hours of flying in July to get recurrent on all the maneuvers, and finally a checkride in the beginning of August.

CFII only took me five flights with an instructor and a couple ground lessons, but I also was quite proficient at instruments since I love instrument flying. I've seen it take much much longer for people who haven't used their instrument ratings since they got it (and no, just flying six approaches every six months doesn't count in my opinion).

MEI took me a total of three flights after I got my multi. Did it in three days.

Very interesting points ...and $169/wet for a Turbo Seminole is cheap!

April 28th, 2007, 14:59	#1
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 7,544	CFI costs I am trying to compare 3 options for my CFI training I will be starting this June or July. What would a reasonable range be for total non-complex and complex time and ground instruction time to complete the CFI training? Could you also break down an "average" of what time most motivated students finish separating it all by total hours for CFII and MEI too? I have the following costs for the option I am looking into in San Diego (although haven't ruled out training at ATP yet): Non-complex - Cessna 152: $52/wet Complex - Cessna 172 RG: $89/wet Multi-engine - Beech Duchess: $169/wet Flight Instruction Fee: $35/hr And yes, I do know about the difficulty to pass the CFI initials at the San Diego FSDO. __________________ "Time spent flying is not deducted from one's lifespan." Join the Impact - Protest Prop 8 on November 15th!

April 28th, 2007, 15:40	#2
MikeOH58 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,171	Re: CFI costs geeez...I wish I lived in SD after seeing the prices you posted! Nothing like that anywhere in Connecticut for training.

April 28th, 2007, 16:06	#3
Andrew_VT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 617	Re: CFI costs Those are good rates. As for how many hours for the CFI, I think it totally depends on how recent your commercial ride was. My CFI ride wasen't really that different than a commercial ride except the FSDO guy made me 3X as nervous and talked constantly trying to screw me up. I dont think the guy had been in anything smaller than a turboprop in quite some time. I was told the Portland, ME pass rate was 23% when I went through there, not sure of the accuracy of that though.

April 28th, 2007, 18:26	#5
montanapilot Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Portland, Orygun Posts: 1,643	Re: CFI costs damn those are good rates. do your MEI as initial is my advice the other rides will be a cakewalk if you knock out the hardest one first.

April 28th, 2007, 18:29	#6
SmitteyB Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 1,974	Re: CFI costs No matter what- the initial is the hardest. If you do the CFI first- it will be the hardest. If you do the II first, it will be. Same with the MEI.

April 28th, 2007, 18:35	#7
cypilot77 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York Posts: 84	Re: CFI costs With the above prices i wouldnt mind do any one first. Even if you fail the first time, you dont have to worry about the big $$$$. Just choose the one you feel more comfortable and keep taking the test as many times as you need to. I wish you pass it at the first time though. Here in Long island,NY the cheapest price you can get today is $125 an hour plus taxes for a piper. So imagine.

April 28th, 2007, 18:37	#8
tprops4me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 352	Re: CFI costs Why are you not doing it at UND. I thought all that was in the program. Did I miss something.

April 28th, 2007, 18:44	#9
Andrew_VT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 617	Re: CFI costs If you are set on your commercial manuvers, then the best advice I can think of is 'keep it simple'. In the oral, when asked a question, give the most basic answer possible then shut you mouth... they love nothing more than to listen to you talk yourself into a hole. I got in trouble on my oral with the most basic questions, I was expecting commercial level questions, I got Private level questions that I had taken for granted. A very memorable exchange from my oral: examiner: "how many kinds of airspeed are there?" me: "umm...indicated...absolute...umm..." examiner: "no I didnt ask you to name them, how many?" me: "well hold on I'm counting..." examiner: "well you should know it without counting...this is the stuff you're supposed to be teaching...you need to know it" 30 minutes later: examiner: "well you got off to a rough start but you're doing better now...I still dont know if I can pass someone that dosent know how many different kinds of airspeed there are though" I never failed... but it was the most fustrating week of my life (yes week...long story)

April 29th, 2007, 00:14	#14
mojo6911 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: GKY Posts: 1,915	Re: CFI costs My background. 90% of my time in 172's. Did my Commercial in Sept in the Arrow. Wasn't really flying much, and did my CFI ride in a 172RG in January. I flew 3 flights, and did a few hours of ground. I studied a lot on my own and had a solid grasp of the regs before starting my training, and I nailed my checkride. If you have a good foundation to start with, like I did, it shouldn't take more than about 10-15 hours of ground and about 5-10 hours of flight time. Last edited by mojo6911; April 29th, 2007 at 02:39.

April 29th, 2007, 03:07	#16
montanapilot Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Portland, Orygun Posts: 1,643	Re: CFI costs i agree it is all about the ground study. i probably did about 5 or 6 training flight for the CFI but went into hermit mode and studyed like a madman.

April 29th, 2007, 03:12	#17
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 7,544	Re: CFI costs This is what I came up with on Excel. Does it sound about right? __________________ "Time spent flying is not deducted from one's lifespan." Join the Impact - Protest Prop 8 on November 15th!

April 29th, 2007, 03:50	#18
mojo6911 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: GKY Posts: 1,915	Re: CFI costs I would just do it all in the RG. You are going to have to use it for the checkride anyways. It is worth the $150 total price difference, IMO.

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