CFI

[EnRoute]

Hi All,

I'm "early 40's". Keeping that in mind, I haven't flown in about 15 years. Comm,Inst,multi, 400TT. I am going to attempt my CFI after all this time. I have completed my written tests, FOI, FIA, picked up my medical, FCC, been studying for a couple of months and am ready to get back into the air.

? What would you be looking for in a flight instructor? I have been reading on this and other forums for several months, been talking to friends in the industry, and have been watching the news, so I understand the industry with respect to it's many issues. I am not posting this to debate the instability or any other factor of this industry, other than finding a a CFI. What I am really asking is who do you think a 43 year old guy would most relate to and benefit from in a CFI.

Regards

[mojo6911]

There are more factors than just your age. With that said, there are some people who would rather have a 43 year old instructor than a 23 year old.

CFIs are in high demand. Just be yourself and the business will come.

[tgrayson]

Originally Posted by EnRoute

What I am really asking is who do you think a 43 year old guy would most relate to and benefit from in a CFI.

That really depends on the maturity levels of both the 43-year old and the CFI. On average, you’d probably relate better to someone your (our) own age. But don’t assume that such a person will necessarily be a better instructor, because that depends on so many other variables.

I don’t consider that age affects learning ability much, until you hit the 70’s, perhaps. Older students seem to want to be in control of the training process more than a 20-year old does, and really want to understand, rather than memorizing facts. That can take longer. And if you have a CFI who has only achieved rote memorization and expects the same from you, you will be frustrated.

Test fly an instructor or two as you get back to proficiency before you commit to one for completing your CFI. I really don't think there's a reliable way to evaluate an instructor without training with him for a while.

[Matt13C]

When I was looking for an instructor I was looking for passion. I met a few who I could tell were only CFI'ing to get hours and move on. Not that there is anything wrong with using it as a time builder and a way to improve your own piloting skills, I myself plan on going this route. I could just tell they did not exactly enjoy being a CFI, or did not act as if they did, and I was afraid it might degrade my overall experience. If you are just as happy in a 172 as you are in a 747 it shows and I think it makes the learning experience that much more enjoyable and easy.

Of course I also looked for competence and professionalism. But I think most people look for these in an instructor.

I don't think age has anything to do with it though. I found a great lifetime instructor who loves to fly and teach. I am certain there are time builders out there who may not have the experience but are still great instructors. I am also sure there are lifetime instructors who I would not want to step into a plane with.

If you love to fly and love to teach others to fly I say go for it.

[Sidious]

I've run the gamit with great instructors who had a passion for aviation and then the time builders. My commercial instructor was in his late 40's and I may have learned more from him then any of the others.

Like tgrayson said it matters more on the maturity level of both the CFI and the student. Rote memorization vs. true understanding and correlation.

My best instructor I ever had told me that it truly takes someone who loves aviation to nurture another students love for it. That is so true.

I think that you asking these questions shows you care and that is the best step to take.

Good luck

[germb747]

Originally Posted by Matt13C

If you are just as happy in a 172 as you are in a 747 it shows and I think it makes the learning experience that much more enjoyable and easy.

Ha Ha! Having flown both airplanes, I'm HAPPIER in the C172 than I am in the B747! In the C172, I can fly WHEN I want, WHERE I want, and HOW I want! Nothing beats a $100 hamburger!

[CaptainCrickettMan]

Enroute,

Couldn't have picked a better time to become a CFI as they are in huge demand now. Plus, you make a ton of money doing it if you get in with the right flying club/flight school. CFI's where I work make between $50 and $75 per hour; free lance. It's a great gig, making your own schedule and you can get all the business you want. There are some flying clubs up in NorCal where the CFIs make between $70 and $120 per hour. That's a place to be a career CFI if you wanted to. PM me if you want specifics on the flying clubs that have freelance CFI's. Good luck with your training!

[aviatorrbt]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrickettMan

Enroute,

Couldn't have picked a better time to become a CFI as they are in huge demand now. Plus, you make a ton of money doing it if you get in with the right flying club/flight school. CFI's where I work make between $50 and $75 per hour; free lance. It's a great gig, making your own schedule and you can get all the business you want. There are some flying clubs up in NorCal where the CFIs make between $70 and $120 per hour. That's a place to be a career CFI if you wanted to. PM me if you want specifics on the flying clubs that have freelance CFI's. Good luck with your training!

[CaptainCrickettMan]

Originally Posted by aviatorrbt

Work 4 hours a day there and you're set! LOL

[tgrayson]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrickettMan

Work 4 hours a day there and you're set! LOL

And a 2000 sq. ft. house will cost how much in that area?

[fly4food84]

Good luck! I agree with the others, this is a great time to make a some pocket change while being a CFI.

[planesiscool]

I am working on my PPL and I think I'd rather have a 43 year old CFI because my instructor is a 20 year old female. She is a good pilot but she is trying to build time for a charter job, and she is flaky. Sometimes she doesn't "feel good." I mean I understand the fact that you want to build time but it costs me $140/hour every time I go up, and the longer I go between lessons the more rusty I get. It is extremely aggrivating.

[Matt13C]

Originally Posted by planesiscool

I am working on my PPL and I think I'd rather have a 43 year old CFI because my instructor is a 20 year old female. She is a good pilot but she is trying to build time for a charter job, and she is flaky. Sometimes she doesn't "feel good." I mean I understand the fact that you want to build time but it costs me $140/hour every time I go up, and the longer I go between lessons the more rusty I get. It is extremely aggrivating.

I would not deal with that. Find a new instructor.

[mojo6911]

Originally Posted by planesiscool

I am working on my PPL and I think I'd rather have a 43 year old CFI because my instructor is a 20 year old female. She is a good pilot but she is trying to build time for a charter job, and she is flaky. Sometimes she doesn't "feel good." I mean I understand the fact that you want to build time but it costs me $140/hour every time I go up, and the longer I go between lessons the more rusty I get. It is extremely aggrivating.

You are the customer. Switch.

[TexasFlyer]

I seen age to have no factor on quality of training. Some people are simply better teachers than others.

My instructors have ranged from barely out of their parents house (they may still be living there) to retired airline pilots.

So what made an instructor the "best" for me?
1) They love being a teacher and can convey their thoughts well
2) They have passion for aviation in general
3) They are still having fun
4) They know their knowledge on the aircraft you are flying and the FAA Regs and all else relevant to attaining the rating you seek
5) They LOVE being a teacher

Oh, and those who were the "best" were some we'd call time builders. But even a time builder can have all those traits. And I found #1 and #5 to be key!

[CaptainCrickettMan]

Originally Posted by tgrayson

And a 2000 sq. ft. house will cost how much in that area?

I don't care to own a house in this lifetime but to answer your question, it would run anywhere between 400-600K. LOL But keep in mind, the career CFI's at the place I work make $65-$75/hr and work a solid 30-40hrs a week. Do the math.

[tgrayson]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrickettMan

I don't care to own a house in this lifetime but to answer your question, it would run anywhere between 400-600K. LOL But keep in mind, the career CFI's at the place I work make $65-$75/hr and work a solid 30-40hrs a week. Do the math.

I did. Your housing costs are 4-5X this part of the country and that's not taking into other higher costs. Not nearly as attractive as it sounds.

[CaptainCrickettMan]

Originally Posted by tgrayson

I did. Your housing costs are 4-5X this part of the country and that's not taking into other higher costs. Not nearly as attractive as it sounds.

I'm on the low end of the pay scale there, work well under 40 hrs a week, pay fairly cheap rent and still manage to save a couple thousand a month. I moved to SoCal from a dirt cheap part of the country and it's about double for rent but food is way cheaper here. Gas is a bit expensive but it's not exactly cheap anywhere you go. Annual income at the club ranges between $40,000 a year for part timers and over $110,000 for the full timers. If $110k isn't enough, even in SoCal, that person might want to re-think about their spending. I wouldn't say SoCal is 4-5 times the cost in general, but if you want to buy a house, yes, it's about what you said. All I'm saying is it's a great gig, especially for being a CFI, and just wanted the original poster to know that he can make some good money being a CFI.

[TexasFlyer]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrickettMan

Annual income at the club ranges between $40,000 a year for part timers and over $110,000 for the full timers. If $110k isn't enough, even in SoCal, that person might want to re-think about their spending.

It sounds to be a good gig. But I am sorry you feel $110k a year is good money in SoCal.

I know for a fact, $110k is not ever going to make anyone rich, even in South Texas! But I do know, it makes for a comfortable living in South Texas and you can at least own a home and enjoy a hobby of some sort (whether it be aviation, boating, motorcycling, etc.). But you still need to watch your spending even on $110k a year.

In SoCal, good luck even owning a decent house even on $110k a year! Unless of course, you forgo all hobby's and make your home your life. But I guess that's what cable TV is for...lol.

Lets' face. it. Life in the new century is tough. Most everyone is underpaid. The dollar is being devalued. And we are most certainly in a recession although the government seems to be in denial about a lot of truths lately. At the end of the day though, people should not settle. Strive to be the best you can be and attain your goals. It's hard work. And at the end of the day, we are all underpaid!!!

But hey, thanks for letting us know about the gig. For SoCal, it's a gig that is on par with the $30k to $35k gigs I know about in small town Georgia and South Texas where a 3000 sq ft home with some property and a 2 car garage will run you a mere $200k of your hard earned money. Yep, still out of reach though for the CFI... so hope you have a two income situation to help things out!

Cheers to all us current and future hard working CFI's and entry level pilots who will be underpaid for years to come... and cheers to all the senior pilots who lost their earnings power over the last 20 years... and cheers to all of us who fly simply because we love aviation and flying!

[CaptainCrickettMan]

Originally Posted by TexasFlyer

It sounds to be a good gig. But I am sorry you feel $110k a year is good money in SoCal.

I know for a fact, $110k is not ever going to make anyone rich, even in South Texas! But I do know, it makes for a comfortable living in South Texas and you can at least own a home and enjoy a hobby of some sort (whether it be aviation, boating, motorcycling, etc.). But you still need to watch your spending even on $110k a year.

In SoCal, good luck even owning a decent house even on $110k a year! Unless of course, you forgo all hobby's and make your home your life. But I guess that's what cable TV is for...lol.

Lets' face. it. Life in the new century is tough. Most everyone is underpaid. The dollar is being devalued. And we are most certainly in a recession although the government seems to be in denial about a lot of truths lately. At the end of the day though, people should not settle. Strive to be the best you can be and attain your goals. It's hard work. And at the end of the day, we are all underpaid!!!

But hey, thanks for letting us know about the gig. For SoCal, it's a gig that is on par with the $30k to $35k gigs I know about in small town Georgia and South Texas where a 3000 sq ft home with some property and a 2 car garage will run you a mere $200k of your hard earned money. Yep, still out of reach though for the CFI... so hope you have a two income situation to help things out!

Cheers to all us current and future hard working CFI's and entry level pilots who will be underpaid for years to come... and cheers to all the senior pilots who lost their earnings power over the last 20 years... and cheers to all of us who fly simply because we love aviation and flying!

How did this topic turn into a cost of living debate? I'm not going to argue with someone about cost of living in CA who lives and works in Texas. All I said was there are CFI jobs out there for the "original poster of this topic" that he can make some good money doing. That's it! If over 100K a year (cash) is not great compensation for a CFI, who can make their own schedule and be their own boss, then what is? If there is a CFI job out there paying over 110K a year, please let us know. I'm not being sarcastic either.

Fly for the love of flying and yes, cheers to all the pilots who lost their earnings over the past 20 years. May they one day, soon, be blessed with much higher wages. We all fly because we love aviation but we also must have some sense of self worth in this industry. Why low ball yourself (not you personally) and bring the industry down for the future pilots? You busted your balls to get where you are, you should be compensated for your hard work and sacrifices.

By the way, Texasflyer, I enjoyed your post above about what makes a great CFI. Couldn't agree more.