Cost of CFI rating

Hey, all. Been searching around the internet trying to get a ballpark cost
to add CFI to a CP-ASEL-IA. Anybody done that lately?

-c

Spent about 5-6 hours polishing things in an Arrow. Apply your local rate.
A few ground lessons with my CFI. Most of them were him constantly asking
"why?" until I *had* to have a beer.
2 written exams, $80 each.
DE fee $400.

Lots of prep at home. I actually got the King CFI course. Pretty cheezy at
times, but it provided a few examples of how to present material. A couple
CFIs let me tag along on some instruction flights. Again, handy to see
different ways material is presented. Any "fun" flying I did, I did from the
right seat to get used to feel.

Luckily, my CFI did my IFR rating all the way through CFII. DE had done my
commercial ride a few months earlier. So, they were all quite familiar with
my knowledge level, or lack thereof.

You already know how to fly. They just want to see that you can explain how
things work, and why things are happening.

"gatt" wrote in message
...

Hey, all. Been searching around the internet trying to get a ballpark
cost
to add CFI to a CP-ASEL-IA. Anybody done that lately?

-c

"Steven Barnes" wrote in message
et...

Spent about 5-6 hours polishing things in an Arrow. Apply your local rate.
A few ground lessons with my CFI. Most of them were him constantly asking
"why?" until I *had* to have a beer.
2 written exams, $80 each.
DE fee $400.


What two written exams?

In USofA Fundamentals of Instruction and Instructor Airplane

Going rate for a written exam around here is $90
BT

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
hlink.net...

"Steven Barnes" wrote in message
et...

Spent about 5-6 hours polishing things in an Arrow. Apply your local
rate.
A few ground lessons with my CFI. Most of them were him constantly asking
"why?" until I *had* to have a beer.
2 written exams, $80 each.
DE fee $400.


What two written exams?

I think it's $90 here, too. But I got $10 off by having an AOPA membership.
CATS, I believe. The other FBO uses Lasergrade. Not sure if they offer AOPA
discount.

"BT" wrote in message
news
In USofA Fundamentals of Instruction and Instructor Airplane

Going rate for a written exam around here is $90
BT

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
hlink.net...

"Steven Barnes" wrote in message
et...

Spent about 5-6 hours polishing things in an Arrow. Apply your local
rate.
A few ground lessons with my CFI. Most of them were him constantly
asking
"why?" until I *had* to have a beer.
2 written exams, $80 each.
DE fee $400.


What two written exams?

On 2007-05-25 18:54:28 -0700, "BT" said:

In USofA Fundamentals of Instruction and Instructor Airplane

Going rate for a written exam around here is $90
BT

Might as well do the ground instructor exams while you're at it.

--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor

Thanks for that. I kinda panicked awhile ago until I realized that two of
the figures I saw either included the commerical program as well, or were
for helicopter. *whew*

Everybody have a safe and inspiring weekend!

-c

"Steven Barnes" wrote in message
et...
Spent about 5-6 hours polishing things in an Arrow. Apply your local rate.
A few ground lessons with my CFI. Most of them were him constantly asking
"why?" until I *had* to have a beer.
2 written exams, $80 each.
DE fee $400.

Lots of prep at home. I actually got the King CFI course. Pretty cheezy at
times, but it provided a few examples of how to present material. A couple
CFIs let me tag along on some instruction flights. Again, handy to see
different ways material is presented. Any "fun" flying I did, I did from
the
right seat to get used to feel.

Luckily, my CFI did my IFR rating all the way through CFII. DE had done my
commercial ride a few months earlier. So, they were all quite familiar
with
my knowledge level, or lack thereof.

You already know how to fly. They just want to see that you can explain
how
things work, and why things are happening.

"gatt" wrote in message
...

Hey, all. Been searching around the internet trying to get a ballpark
cost
to add CFI to a CP-ASEL-IA. Anybody done that lately?

-c

On May 25, 8:15 pm, "gatt" wrote:
Hey, all. Been searching around the internet trying to get a ballpark cost
to add CFI to a CP-ASEL-IA. Anybody done that lately?

-c

Probably about 10 hours of flying from the right seat while
instructing, so cost should be less than $1500 including instructor
fee. Most of the work is ground prep, a great part of which you can do
yourself.

I would recommend getting the training from the most experienced and
respected instructor you can find. This is one rating where your
instructor can make a big difference. Unlike other checkrides, you
can't slowly ease into your role as a CFI. You may have to make
critical decisions from day one, and mistakes can cost you dearly.
I've known newly minted CFIs who made grave errors on their first few
months of instructing, one even resulted in the death of a student.
You will also have to know how to handle situations when pilots with
more hours than you come for a flight review, fly dangerously or try
to impress with you with their war stories. The FIO exam is a bunch of
crap. You can't rely on that information to become a good CFI.

On May 25, 5:15 pm, "gatt" wrote:
Hey, all. Been searching around the internet trying to get a ballpark cost
to add CFI to a CP-ASEL-IA. Anybody done that lately?

-c

A lot of it depends on how up you are on the commercial manuervers. If
you can fly the commercial manuervers while talking (do lots, and lots
of talking) then you have the flying down. Its mostly ground work.
I've heard lots of stories about guys who go up with the examiner and
fly the commercial maneuvers from the right seat with their mouth
closed. The examiner says "nice flying, you failed". You gotta talk a
lot.

-Robert, CFII

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...
On May 25, 5:15 pm, "gatt" wrote:
Hey, all. Been searching around the internet trying to get a ballpark
cost
to add CFI to a CP-ASEL-IA. Anybody done that lately?

-c

A lot of it depends on how up you are on the commercial manuervers. If
you can fly the commercial manuervers while talking (do lots, and lots
of talking) then you have the flying down. Its mostly ground work.
I've heard lots of stories about guys who go up with the examiner and
fly the commercial maneuvers from the right seat with their mouth
closed. The examiner says "nice flying, you failed". You gotta talk a
lot.

-Robert, CFII

Something I have always recommended to every CFI candidate studying for the
practical that crossed my path was to pick someone outside the aviation
community like a friend, a girlfriend, a mother or father etc. Ask them to
serve as a "student" guinea pig, then pick things at random that they will
be teaching as a CFI and try to "teach it to these people". Then have them
explain it back as they understand it from what you have both said and
demonstrated to them visually. It's an eye opening experience for a
potential CFI.
I have found this "technique" extremely helpful to new CFI applicants
getting ready for the examination.
I call this little exercise in learning how to teach properly, "The.... If I
can explain lift to my Mother and have HER understand it, I can explain lift
to ANYONE" test :"-)))
Works like a charm. I've suggested this technique to new instructors all
through my aviation life and never once regretted using it as a teaching
aid.
Dudley Henriques