Cost of CFI Program

[Varig_777]

Hey guys, I have a question about Skymate's CFI Program.

I am currently halfway through my Commercial training which I am doing out of Monarch air in Addison airport-where all my training from PPL-Instrument and now Commercial has been done at.

As soon as my Commercial is finished with I will be looking to jump right in to CFI-I training. I have always been looking at going to American Flyers for this, but recently I have been considering Skymates.

I have read/heard great things about the school so I am sold as far as quality of training goes. Now I'm wondering about the cost.

According to my math from the Skymates website, the CFI-I program would cost roughly 5500 to 6000. Is that an average or guarantee? American Flyers' prices are just about the same, but I would say the advantage Skymates has for me is that I may want to apply as a CFI there after training....and I'm sure that getting my CFI and Multi ratings there would help when that time comes.

So just wondering about the cost, and what I should expect to pay. I'm not going to be getting my MEI just yet.... for certain $$$$ reasons.. I'm planning on getting started working as a CFI then getting my MEI while instructing.

Thanks for the info!

[PacMan4x4]

VARIG....you would save some $$ in the long run to enroll in the whole program. It's 6995 for all three ratings in the CFI package deal and 7995 if you don't have the 15 hours of ME completed. To pay for them all individually would cost 7285 and then you would have to pay to get the multi requirement which would rack up the cost more. It may benefit you to save up a bit longer and do them all at once, but that's just my opinion. From what I understand, they get you done right about at the price as advertised. If you are an extremely slow learner....not saying you are....it may cost you a bit more, but I think you'll find from talking with folks that have gone there that they have the programs laid out just about right for their training/curicullum. Good luck to you in your training.

Pac Man

[ryanmickG]

SkyMates CFI Complete Training Package
Certified Instrument Instructor (CFII) initial Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) add-on Multi Engine Instructor (MEI) add-on $6,995,00*
The CFI complete Training Package is designed for those who want to get all the three instructor ratings (CFI,CFII,MEI) together. The course includes all the ground and flight instruction, study material and AATD time.

Pre requisite for the CFI Complete Training Package is: Commercial Single and instrument rating, instrument proficiency, and 1st or 2nd class FAA medical.

*MEI requires 15 hours multi engine pilot in command before the check ride, if you do not have the PIC requirements we offer a training package that will include the 15 hrs Multi PIC for $7,995.00.

True...if you do the complete program you will have a good shot at working for us. Skymates never guarantees jobs to anybody though.

[Varig_777]

Thanks for the information. I truly may want to save up and do the whole package. Right now I am calculating that by the end of my Commercial I will still have roughly $6000 left over. I could just wait another couple of months or so and save up an additional $2000

I just have a couple of more questions:

Is the CFI program self paced or is it on a schedule the way American Flyers does it? If it is on a schedule, such as Flyers' 30 day course, I would have to squeeze it in during the summer otherwise training would interfere with college classes.

And the $7995 includes all CFI ratings plus my Multi Engine rating, right? I'm still just a little confused on how the multi engine add on works.

If, once I have my Commercial I get my Multi Addon, will that mean I now have a Multi/Instrument rating? I already have my Single Engine Instrument rating. Or is there a seperate course/checkride for your Multi/instrument?

Thank you for all the help!

[PacMan4x4]

VARIG....In order to get your MEI, you need 15 hours of PIC time by the time you take your checkride. Therefore, you need you Multi rating before you start the MEI portion of the course. If you do the multi engine commercial rating as an add on to your Single engine commercial, you will have only a couple of hours of PIC in the twin, which would be your checkride day. Somewhere along the lines, you will need to get several more hours in a twin as PIC--let's say around 9 more hours before starting the MEI course. Once you start the MEI course, your time flying will be PIC since you will now be rated in category/class. The MEI portion at Skymates, according to the website, is 4.5 hours of dual instruction.
If you don't have the time to meet the 15 hour PIC requirement, they offer the $7995 deal as an option to the CFI package with is basically getting you your additional hours for $1000....not a bad deal. Also, you can do your multi-commercial add on at Skymates for $1695 if you don't already have your multi done.
Hope this helps a little bit and doesn't cause more confusion.

Pac Man

[kellwolf]

If you're on the fence about the MEI, here's my story:

I was debating on getting it, in fact had decided AGAINST it since I didn't have the cash. At the time, I was planning on going back to ORL and instructing there. You need over 200 dual given to even think about instructing in the twin there, so I was going to get my MEI later down the road. Then the Arrow broke. I could sit around for a week, paying rent and not flying or I could get the MEI in the 'Nole and the CFI in the 172. I decided to do the latter, and things couldn't have worked out better. For starters, Skymates won't (or at least didn't as of about a year ago) hire instructors WIHTOUT an MEI. Things might have changed since then since they're getting short on instructors, though. So, I wouldn't have gotten the job at Skymates without it. Another thing is, you'd be surprised how many ME hours you can get just by being in the right place at the right time and having the MEI. There are a lot of instructors out there that DON'T have it, so when some guy that owns a Baron comes in off the street and says "I need a BFR. Who can do it?" YOU'RE the one that can say "I can." (assuming you have the 5 hours PIC in the Baron at least). I think the MEI makes you a lot more marketable as a CFI and opens doors that would otherwise be closed. You'll have to get the CMEL if you want to fly bigger equipment anyway, so I think it's a wise investment to spend the extra $$$ and get the MEI.

[Varig_777]

Yeah, that all makes sense. Pacman, thanks for explaining the prices for me. That is a great deal that Skymates offers: Your Multi plus 15 hours on top of CFI-I and MEI for an additional $1000.... I can't think of any other place that offers a package like that.

I do definently think its worth saving up an additonal 1k to 2k and getting my MEI along with CFI ratings. At this point the only down side I can see is the drive: Arlington airport is a 40 minute drive from my house, whereas Addison airport is only 2 minutes But for the experience, ratings, and quality of training I will receive that extra drive is probably worth it.

On average how much multi/total time do CFIs at Skymates get per month? I am getting all my information together since I will be starting all my CFI training sometime within the next 2 months. Hopefully I will see all you around the airport!

[kellwolf]

I don't know what the average is now, but I was seeing somewhere between 90-100 hours a month TT. I started mid-Aug of 05 and left at the end of Feb 06. When I was hired, I had about 300TT and 30ME. When I left for Pinnacle, I was at 950TT and 250ME, and that was in about 7 months. As stated in some other threads, the ME instruction goes in seniority order normally, but if you're in the right place at the right time, you can get it a little earlier. I found that one of the best ways to get ME time is to answer the phone when you're hanging out doing nothing. I scored a lot of ME add-on students that way just by talking to them on the phone and getting them set-up. I think the month of Nov 05 I spent more time in the Seminole than the 172s or the Arrow!

[KLB]

Originally Posted by Varig_777

Arlington airport is a 40 minute drive from my house, whereas Addison airport is only 2 minutes

I did it. It ain't that bad.

[Varig_777]

That is quite a bit of time kellwolf. If I can get over 100 multi hours in a year I would be VERY happy. From what it sounds like I can almost count on that at Skymates.

My goal after instructing for a couple of years is going to a part 135 gig-preferably Ameriflight- or fly a corporate jet. Then eventually move on to a legacy carrier. Part 135 is 1200TT and 50 multi.... shouldn't be a problem after 2 or so years at Skymates.

And what about the CFI program? Is it self paced or is there a set schedule of attendance? How do you guys think I should approach my ratings? As soon as I am done with my Commercial here in the next 2 months I was planning on starting my CFI training immedietly afterwards. Is that good or should I do my multi first?

Thanks for all your help!

[jtrain609]

You'd be in good company, there are a handful of old Skymates instructors flying freight, and two recent ones at Amflight.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by Varig_777

And what about the CFI program? Is it self paced or is there a set schedule of attendance? How do you guys think I should approach my ratings? As soon as I am done with my Commercial here in the next 2 months I was planning on starting my CFI training immedietly afterwards. Is that good or should I do my multi first?

Thanks for all your help!

When I went through, it was self-paced, one on one with your instructor. It still is for the add-on CFIs. For the initial, I think you can still do the same thing. When I was there and LeAnne was doing the initial instruction, she would often get a group of the CFI students together in an informal group teaching session. I actually wound up filling in for her on a couple of those. But, the self-paced option is always there.

[perpetual]

Just seconding, thirding, and etc, all the above,.. Yeah you can get everything at Skymates for a super low overall cost.

*I came with my commercial hourly requirements met.

I did COMM(SEL/MEL) + CFI/CFII/MEI for very low total combined cost.

Cost breakdown:

Checkride Costs: 350$ x 4 = 1,400$
*CFI initial checkride cost = free @ (FSDO)
Instructor + Aircraft rental = 5849.30$
(8.9 Arrow Hours
(16.1 Cessna Hours
(9.5 Seminole Hours
(1.4 Simulator Hours
______________________________________________

35.9 Total hours
Total Cost = 7249.30$


-Joe aka Egg