Questions about working as a Certified Flight Instructor??

Question

I am thinking about becoming a pilot and I understand most pilots have worked as CFIs at some point to get enough hours to qualify for other jobs. I have 2 questions about doing this. Do CFI jobs pay enough to live on? I heard most CFI jobs will pay at least $16/hr. which is decent, but you are not guaranteed any amount of hours a week. Also is it possible to work as a CFI if you have another full time job? I don't see why you couldn't but as a student I would want a CFI with a pretty free schedule.

Thanks for any comments

Answer 1

There are settled, salaried positions for CFI's but those are rare, and they go to more experienced pilots and instructor.

The typical soon-to-be airline pilot giving instruction to build hours is the lowest form of life in the aviation industry.  It's called "paying your dues."  I did it, too, and it had its moments.  I had extra trouble finding good students because I am female, and a lot of men had a little trouble understanding that I was there to teach them flying skills, and I didn't want to date them or make out with them.  That part is also called "paying dues."

Fortunately there were some women who wanted to learn to fly, and there were wise people who referred them to me for instruction.  So I got through it, and things are a lot easier for women in aviation now than they were then.

So I did the instructing, but other things were much more fun and interesting.  Charter flying is the best, especially if the passengers are decent people that don't panic every time you increase or decrease power in flight.

I had one passenger--an investment banker of some kind--who panicked when the landing gear retracted (It goes "bumpety-klunk!" in the Baron, and shakes the whole airplane), and stayed in a state of near-panic for the remaining 2-1/2 hour flight from Wilmington to Indianapolis.

But most charter passengers are more intelligent than the average banker, and some of them give large tips for a good, comfortable flight.  It really helps to keep a running commentary in lay person's terms of everything you are doing.

So charter, banner towing, pipeline patrol, and photography are more fun and often pay much better.  People who want to fly over their new house and take some pictures can be lots of fun, and they tip well.

All of this pays $15 to $20 per hour, and it can be fun.  So that's the picture, from one old ancient pelican's perspective.  You will most likely spend at least some time doing catch-as-catch-can instructing.  It can be very rewarding, but it can also be a grind.  You will enjoy other things more.

But good luck!  If you are dedicated and talented, you can have a great career.

Answer 2

CFIs are in short supply right now.  Many of them are earning $25+.  My old school recently upped its base pay to the equivalent of about $39k per year plus a lot of potential for overtime.  It makes it harder to quit that job and move on to a regional airline where the first year pay is still sub $20k at most airlines.

Answer 3

Really depends on the CFI job you get, and what kind of style of living you're trying to support.  The pay is not steady unless you're lucky enough to find a CFI position that is salaried.  It will depend on the weather, the number of students you have, etc.  Most CFIs I know have another job.  I'm instructing and going to school at the same time, so I don't personally have time for another job.  If I wasn't in school though, it would definitely be possible.  You just have to try and arrange the schedules to work with your students.

Instructing is definitely an interesting experience.  I recommend it.