CFI salary

[Fenix]

Ok, so im sure this has been asked and answered, but i couldn't find anything to statisfy my curiosity. What is the starting salary for a CFI? I know it depends on where you go, and who you know, but im trying to get an idea of how much top ramen to buy when becoming a CFI.

[lv@1stflite]

You can afford top ramen <growl...grumble> You gonna finish it? Can I have a bite?

[lv@1stflite]

Seriously, about $15 an hour, no student no pay......

[Sparker]

It totally depends on the school. I have talked to a couple that pay 35-45 per hour and some that pay $15. Depends on the area. High time CFIs can make decent money, but students usually wont pay the difference for better training.

[Gomer Pylot]

In general, students want cheap, and cheap is what they get.

[Fenix]

It totally depends on the school. I have talked to a couple that pay 35-45 per hour and some that pay $15. Depends on the area. High time CFIs can make decent money, but students usually wont pay the difference for better training.

 

Wow ok, it's not as bad as I had originally thought. If it's anywhere near $15/hr then im good, i bearly make $13.50/hr now. Of course that $700 per month loan repayment is going to kill me.. i think i'll manage, as long as i get to fly

[Goldy]

Wow ok, it's not as bad as I had originally thought. If it's anywhere near $15/hr then im good, i bearly make $13.50/hr now. Of course that $700 per month loan repayment is going to kill me.. i think i'll manage, as long as i get to fly

 

Remember thats $15 bucks an hour as a contract employee. SO no benefits, vacation, sick time, or all the other cushy sttuff. And also remember that you are probably only being paid for each flight hour. So if you come in and spend 10 hours you might get paid for 6 or 7 flight hours. The rest is downtime, refueling, pre flight inspections, students not showing up, students showing up early, students showing up late, birds going in for maintenance, birds going in for 100 hour inspections, birds going in for annuals, going in for mags, going in for 2 year transponder checks, going in for overhauls.....get the point yet ?

 

Good luck to you

 

Goldy

[nbit]

Remember thats $15 bucks an hour as a contract employee. SO no benefits, vacation, sick time, or all the other cushy sttuff. And also remember that you are probably only being paid for each flight hour. So if you come in and spend 10 hours you might get paid for 6 or 7 flight hours. The rest is downtime, refueling, pre flight inspections, students not showing up, students showing up early, students showing up late, birds going in for maintenance, birds going in for 100 hour inspections, birds going in for annuals, going in for mags, going in for 2 year transponder checks, going in for overhauls.....get the point yet ?

 

Good luck to you

 

Goldy

 

Touche! (in agreement "get the point?")

[LostHeliBoy]

SO... where to start... Yeah now YOUR the instructor at the school where you did a long slog thru the tortures of the helicopter educational industry it is now your turn to give back.. SO...

Who do you owe money to?

Loans.

Rent.

Food.

Beverage.

Girlfriends..

 

All take a toll on the little money that you do make but ..

 

BUT, the hours that you get with your students as the try to do things to you and the helicopter that it was never intended to do, those hours are gold!..

15.00 just never seems like it was enough..

 

but then I think of the next job and the next and the next... and I realise that this is only a little step until I get that next one .. I just have to hold on a bit more..

 

SO a few questions..

If your getting 15.oo

 

Do you have to find students?

Do you have to answer the phone?

Do you have to fuel the helicopters?

Do you have to Process the loan papers for you students?

Do advertising

Pay for your own insurance?

Buy a helicopter?

Rent a Hanger?

It might seem like a pittance but ..

your getting hours

a good networking chance..

making friends

and HOURS..

 

So take a breath and see that life is more than money ..

Money just makes it run smoother.. DARN.

 

--LHB

[Copterpilot213]

I couldn't have said it better LHB. To get even R22 time you're really getting more like $315 an hour or more if you include all the costs involved with aircraft ownership. In my opinion unless you're going to go into the military, it really is a pretty good deal for newbie helo pilots.

 

Also, I've heard a few schools have pay based on number of hours instructing. The more experienced you get the more pay you get. $15 is usually just the starting point... first few months. Some schools also pay for the whole flight block, including pre flight, post flight, refueling, etc. Also if you do simulator time or ground lessons with a student you should usually get pay, but at a reduced "ground" rate.

 

P.S. Another expense most people don't think about is CFI life insurance... If anyone is counting on you financially it might be a good thing to plan for. As a student I personally have life insurance that also covers me if I die in a training accident. Most life insurance companies do not cover you for that.

[Gerhardt]

My old CFI had students schedule their time with him in advance. That way he got paid ($30/hr) regardless of what we were doing.

 

If nothing else, it encouraged students to have the preflight done be ready to go at the top of the hour.

[Fenix]

I wanna say thank you for your input, and veiws. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in it for the money, I'm in it for the experience, joy, and excitment a helicopter pilot experiences. They money is just an added bonus, which helps supports family, and further training; I'l only expect what I've earned. I have no problem making any nessecary sacrifices to get where I want to be. I know it's not going to be easy, or fun sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Can't wait for my intro flight

[BillyBob]

I wanna say thank you for your input, and veiws. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in it for the money, I'm in it for the experience, joy, and excitment a helicopter pilot experiences. They money is just an added bonus, which helps supports family, and further training; I'l only expect what I've earned. I have no problem making any nessecary sacrifices to get where I want to be. I know it's not going to be easy, or fun sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Can't wait for my intro flight

 

 

Fenix,

 

There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with expecting to be paid for ones skills and work. Do not ever say "will fly for food". That is so damaging to you and those behind you.

[Guest No Bad Days...]

It totally depends on the school. I have talked to a couple that pay 35-45 per hour and some that pay $15. Depends on the area. High time CFIs can make decent money, but students usually wont pay the difference for better training.

 

So, what Schools will pay you $35-40 per hour after you get your CFI & become an instructor???

 

I am interested in finding out and researching these schools for future enrollment.

[Sparker]

Also if you do simulator time or ground lessons with a student you should usually get pay, but at a reduced "ground" rate.

 

IMO the instructor should get paid the same on the ground as in the air... If you need an instructor it doesn't really matter why you need them. All of the schools I have talked to pay the CFI the same on ground and in the air.

 

Fenix,

 

There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with expecting to be paid for ones skills and work. Do not ever say "will fly for food". That is so damaging to you and those behind you.

 

I agree, if pilots weren't willing to fly so cheap we could all make more money, the problem is too many pilots are willing to do it for less. If you think building up hours is going to earn you more money you may be wrong. What does an operator gain from your experience? Chances are they can find a younger pilot willing to fly the same bird for cheaper... so what benefit do the companies get by having a high time pilot? Either way their ship gets from point a to point b.

Edited September 14, 2007 by Sparker

[Copterpilot213]

I agree, if pilots weren't willing to fly so cheap we could all make more money, the problem is too many pilots are willing to do it for less. If you think building up hours is going to earn you more money you may be wrong. What does an operator gain from your experience? Chances are they can find a younger pilot willing to fly the same bird for cheaper... so what benefit do the companies get by having a high time pilot? Either way their ship gets from point a to point b.

 

True, but a high time pilot should come with cheaper insurance premiums and be able to do more difficult things.

[HelliBoy]

True, but a high time pilot should come with cheaper insurance premiums and be able to do more difficult things.

 

"Should" being the operative word there. Insurance companies would prolly justify it with the 2nd part of your sentance.

[rollthbns]

Wow I was just thinking about this the other day, and then it hit me. I have never worked so hard to get to the bottom of the ladder. AWESOME! Im almost to the bottom rung now.

 

I have to echo the sentiment here from others that you do NOT FLY FOR FREE. I know that topic has been beat up and down the block. I would just offer this thought: "Doing what it takes" does not mean that your skills and knowlege should not be compensated. Hustle, stay honest, and have a solid humble respect for your skills and the skills of your fellow pilots. the more flight time panhandlers there are, the slower the payscale catches up. Stay safe!

[wannabe heli pilot]

Wow I was just thinking about this the other day, and then it hit me. I have never worked so hard to get to the bottom of the ladder. AWESOME! Im almost to the bottom rung now.

I'm still laughing at that and my own situation to get to that same rung! I've heard SSH pay is around 18$ HR pre and post and goes up with x amount of hours then again at x amount up to 22Hr ,then I believe it tops out at around 25.

Edited September 19, 2007 by wannabe heli pilot

[toad]

I couldn't have said it better LHB. To get even R22 time you're really getting more like $315 an hour or more if you include all the costs involved with aircraft ownership. In my opinion unless you're going to go into the military, it really is a pretty good deal for newbie helo pilots.

 

Also, I've heard a few schools have pay based on number of hours instructing. The more experienced you get the more pay you get. $15 is usually just the starting point... first few months. Some schools also pay for the whole flight block, including pre flight, post flight, refueling, etc. Also if you do simulator time or ground lessons with a student you should usually get pay, but at a reduced "ground" rate.

 

P.S. Another expense most people don't think about is CFI life insurance... If anyone is counting on you financially it might be a good thing to plan for. As a student I personally have life insurance that also covers me if I die in a training accident. Most life insurance companies do not cover you for that.

Just wondering, what life insurance company does you use?

thanks

 

 

TOAD

[gordman]

Another expense most people don't think about is CFI life insurance... If anyone is counting on you financially it might be a good thing to plan for. As a student I personally have life insurance that also covers me if I die in a training accident. Most life insurance companies do not cover you for that.

You are right about this, but if you already have a life insurance, CFI life insurance still stands here? Do I have to pay twice for life insurance in this case?

[Copterpilot213]

@ Toad

 

Hey I didn't see your post, sorry about that!

 

I go through AOPA, it's a pretty good deal and more affordable than a lot of places I checked.

 

@ gordman

 

It depends, ask your insurance agent if your covered while training a student. My regular life insurance definitely didn't cover that!

[big_z]

Our guys start at around 12 to 25 an hour depending on whether you are flying or not. But there's plenty of overtime available. So it ends up being like 40 to 50, which is pretty good.