CFI-Instrument Add-On?

[E6BAV8R]

I'm currently a CFI and instructing at a local university and have been thinking whether or not I should get my CFI-Instrument add-on.

Obviously having the CFII add-on would help me a lot in terms of learning it better and gaining that experience, but of course the money factor then comes into play, of which I think it would cost about $500 for the total add-on.

I have had the opportunity of being hired as a right-seater at a big simulator training facility with my current credentials. I really don't know how long I'll be working at the facility, atleast a year though, and will be instructing at the same time. By the time I get my SIC, and eventually PIC type rating in the aircraft, I will hopefully have around 1000-1500 TT hours and will either go to an airline or be able to do some right seat work by contract.

So my eventual question is, do you think the CFII would pay for itself? Obviously having it would help me a lot by teaching it but I have a hard time with paying the $500 at the moment and having it pay for itself. Yes it would help me a lot teaching it but I can also keep studying my butt off to stay on top of instrument procedures and currency.

Any opinions and ideas will be helpful!

Greg

[KC Jake]

I don't have my CFII yet, but I would think that it definitely would be worth the time. I don't know where you're getting the $500 number from, but it seems teaching one instrument student would end up paying for that.

[woutlaw]

I've gotten far more work due to my II than my CFI, so I'd highly recommend it.

Four of my first five students were instrument students, I did a fair number of IPCs and plain ol' proficiency flying with guys who hadn't been inside a cloud in a while.

An added benefit was I wound up flying more interesting equipment (Bonanzas, Malibus, Mooneys etc...) with owners who were looking for an instrument instructor to ride along in IMC, put them through their paces to keep them sharp, etc...

And, teaching instruments will make you a much better instrument pilot. It's amazing how much is going on and how well you can keep it all prioritized and in your head after you've taught instrument flying for a little bit.

Having access to a a sim is great too. No worry about cancellations due to icing or convection, you're inside, warm and dry so no shoveling out the hangar or freezing to death in a drafty 172, all of which means you're more likely to get paid.

The CFII was some of the best money I've ever spent.

Or, put it this way: CFIs instruct for fun, CFIIs instruct for money and Cirrus instructors instruct for both. :-) (Yes, I'm a CSIP as well.)

[E6BAV8R]

Originally Posted by KC Jake

I don't have my CFII yet, but I would think that it definitely would be worth the time. I don't know where you're getting the $500 number from, but it seems teaching one instrument student would end up paying for that.

The $500 is the amount of money I would have to pay to get my checkride prep, the flight portion of the checkride and examiners fees for the ride.

I know it would be a big benefit to me to get it but right now I'm just not seeing the real benefits it would bring me. I still do quite a bit of IMC flying with my other friends and instructors and still go through my instrument currency requirements whenever I get the chance.

It's just hard justifying spending that amount of money at the moment.

[Pietrantonio]

Maybe you can just keep the idea on the back burner for now, and see how everything is going to work out. If you find out later on that you will need it, then go for it. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with it. Just my $0.02

[Nihon_Ni]

Originally Posted by E6BAV8R

The $500 is the amount of money I would have to pay to get my checkride prep, the flight portion of the checkride and examiners fees for the ride.

I know it would be a big benefit to me to get it but right now I'm just not seeing the real benefits it would bring me. I still do quite a bit of IMC flying with my other friends and instructors and still go through my instrument currency requirements whenever I get the chance.

It's just hard justifying spending that amount of money at the moment.

I think you've already answered your own question. You probably have better things to do with $500 than get a new ticket that isn't required for the next step in your career. You can always pick it up later if and when it will have a higher potential of return on your investment.

FWIW, if you can really get it for $500, then that's a bargin. The last time I took a check ride (my CFII ride about 2.5 yrs ago) I paid the examiner $400 -- and that was just his fee. If you can do the prep, rent the plane for 1.5 hrs and pay the examiner all for $500 then that's a great deal. However, I'm willing to bet that you can't get it all done for that little. Even if you only need one training flight to secure an instructor endorsement (doubtful) and get the examiner to give you a cut-rate price, I think you still will be hard pressed to get it done for $500. (That may make your decision process even easier!)

I got my CFII when it was time to renew my certificate. My rating has yet to "pay for itself" as I've only given about 15 hrs of instrument instruction vs. 500 hrs of instruction with my CFI-A certificate. I am glad I got it because I think it was an important step in my development as a teacher. Mine was about $2000, but I paid for it by spending the amount I budget for personal flying. I saved up enough month's worth of my flying budget until I could spend it over a short period that culminated in a new rating.

Blue skies,
Rob

[moxiepilot]

I was in the same boat. it took 1.5 years for me to get the add on. it does end up paying for itself pretty quickly ( as compared to the MEI which at $25/hr might take about 6 months to a year to end up breaking even)

[flyguy969]

I think that the add on would absolutely be worth the time. One thing to consider is that by having your CFII you will be keeping current with your skills as you teach others!

[CaptainCrickettMan]

Get the addon. It's basically just another instrument checkride, plus you will have a flawless understanding of IFR after constructing the lesson plans and teaching the material. I have not had any IFR students yet but I am still glad I did it. Just my few pesos.