Finding The Right Flight Instructor | Choosing a CFI

[@scotthancock4130]

Thank you so much for pointing out that choosing the right instructor is important. It's like choosing the right doctor. They should be able to fit a correct "mold" you are searching for. And by the way, I LOVE😍😍 that new picture!!!

[@flywiththeguys]

You are so welcome!

[@crazylocha]

@Flywiththeguys thanks for joining some of the other KZbin streams of aviation. Just a general idea from your tools page, you might want to check all the links and make sure they are up to date. Great ideas and tips all through your website and videos. Keep up the great job.

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks! And thanks for the heads up on the links. They all wen't to where I originally wanted them to go, save one.... But I think I'll rework the tools page now so I can provide more!

[@DraculaBoy182]

Great advice, I’m currently interviewing CFII’s, for instrument training. It’s hard to find and instructor in So-Cal that won’t nickel and dime you and that can work with you and truly care about your progress. Finding one that’s modest when it comes to rates is tough and/or willing to negotiate a good rate, as it is a BIG investment. Yes, you pay for quality training but I still find the prices to be absurd for the average Joe. it’s so expensive. Instructor rates over here are insane $70-85/hr. Most think we’re Warren Buffett’s sons; we’re not. Good luck to all of you folks out there. Safe flying.

[@flywiththeguys]

I'm seeing those same rates here in AZ as well. Private instruction is getting really pricy for some reason, borderline prohibitive. Lots of reasons why and I'm thinking of making a video on it.

[@DraculaBoy182]

@@flywiththeguys Wow, it’s increasing. I’ve seen the rates going up over the last few years. Whom knows what the real reason behind it is. That’d be awesome. Hopefully they see what’s going on, because this isn’t helping aspiring professional pilots nor private pilots.

[@flywiththeguys]

@@DraculaBoy182 Part of it has to do with a living wage. Since covid there has been a incredible amount of instructors hitting the market and instruction hours have gone down a bit. BUT, if people progress through their training at a good rate, the cost difference between a 40 ish dual hours isn't that much in the overall cost of the PPL. Mostly annoying. It's the aircraft rates that are getting really out of hand. All our mechanics increased their rates by 20% this year.

[@DraculaBoy182]

@@flywiththeguys Indeed, that is true. The Kobe crash caused insurance rates to go up for aircraft, and thus raised prices which affects aircraft rental rates. Before the investigation even started the policy of $50 million was paid out. It’s insane. Well at least here in California. Hopefully the GA industry makes a correction because they’ll disillusion people from wanting to become aviators due to the cost of training to want to make a career as a pilot. Also, the Regionals carriers best be careful because they’ll make their bed again if they’re hoping for the 1500 hour rule to go away and want to pay pilots terrible wages again. They’re going to need pilots again at some point and best pay them well; not starving wages. Some have upped their pay but if you keep your pilots happy, the company will do well. Just my two cents.

[@theprudentpilot788]

Love the way you break it all down brother. Awesome!

[@flywiththeguys]

I appreciate that! Thank you!

[@nhra-ct8396]

Great job breaking it down, Is there a database/listing of CFI's by location available anywhere?

[@flywiththeguys]

There is but it's kind of useless. It's better to ask around. Frustrating for sure, but you may hone in on someone great. Otherwise, you're just throwing lawn darts. www.gleim.com/aviation/directories/index.php?avTab=cfi&search=us

[@learning2fly]

Great Info! I appreciate the easy to understand information! I look forward to your videos.

[@flywiththeguys]

Glad you like them!

[@BioHorror]

Good info! I'm in this process now. Thx

[@flywiththeguys]

Best of luck! You going with a private instructor or looking at a school?

[@BioHorror]

@@flywiththeguys probably a private instructor, I've already spoken to one in my area and want to schedule a discovery flight soon. There are a ton of options where I live though (North Texas) so I'm at a bit of a loss TBH.

[@BioHorror]

@@flywiththeguys Not 100% sure yet. There are a ton of options where I live (North Texas) so I'm at a bit of a loss. I have spoken with an instructor and received a quote for $160/hr (Piper Cherokee PA-28 140 @ 130 + 30/hr instructor rate) which doesn't seem to bad. I was planning on doing an online ground school to get a jump on learning also.

[@flywiththeguys]

@@BioHorror Check out North Texas Aviators over on Facebook - facebook.com/groups/154954314873793/

[@BioHorror]

@@flywiththeguys Ahh tough one. I haven't look at FB for 10 years.

[@matthewkorniczky]

Love it! Thanks!

[@flywiththeguys]

You are so welcome!

[@paulegan2252]

Thanks. Very helpful. Question...are discovery flights usually provided at no cost? Do they count towards flight hours? Thanks!

[@flywiththeguys]

Glad you liked it. =) You typically have to pay for discovery flights. We actually made a video on one too - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnqmqJqYi7mSn8U

[@BigTrainsTVlive]

A good school will encourage you to try other instructors

[@flywiththeguys]

Thats debatable. When you change instructors, it usually takes more time because you have to get them up to speed on where you are. This can be ground or flying time. Time = money. So some encourage it the wrong reasons. By buddy kept getting tossed between instructors as they left the school for airline jobs and he wasted all kinds of money because of it. BUT, flying with other instructors can teach you things from a new prospective. This is why most schools have stage checks built into their program. Even I flew with a couple different instructors after I picked one, just to make sure I was ready for my checkride. It was very beneficial. A good school doing it for the right reasons, I would agree is good. But encouraging it to help make money is not.

[@bobolewie]

Thanks for your videos but I have one question, how do you actually FIND private CFIs? I have Googled and come up with little. I have visited flight schools in my area of coastal central Florida but I was thinking it would be great to find a pilot who is maybe retired, has his own plane and really cares about his students instead of just trying to build hours. Thanks again

[@flywiththeguys]

That can be a problem. I've seen people find success on Facebook pilot groups. Just be airport specific. People generally speak up.

[@ihelpsed8em]

Nice video.

[@abhishekchhalani3385]

Could you recommend some good resources to search for flight instructors ?

[@flywiththeguys]

Thats a hard one. We have a directory over on our website if you're in the greater phoenix area.

[@jhanick]

i can't even get one to return my phone calls.

[@flywiththeguys]

I know the feeling. We're working on a project right now and no one is willing to commit to training.

[@freedom4u18]

Can you use more than one instructor or should I stay with one

[@flywiththeguys]

You can switch, but each time you do you have to get your new instructor up to speed with where you are. Could take an few hours in the plane and some ground time.

[@carlmanning6707]

I’m going interested in flying but I’m a big guy at 400 lbs im not sure if I would fit in them training planes.

[@flywiththeguys]

You can train in larger aircraft, but they do cost more to rent. Like a Cessna 182 has a lot more shoulder room.

[@carlmanning6707]

Fly With The Guys I’m serious about getting my license do you think I should buy a 182 I’m thinking that if it’s going to cost more to rent a bigger plane l might as well pay myself. I will have to do some research to see if that’s a good thing to do. Thanks

[@carlmanning6707]

Do you think this would make sense?

[@junetebarts1334]

@@carlmanning6707 You may want to see if you can obtain a medical certificate first before you buy a plane

[@hassanalshaalan3014]

how can i take ground school online ? thanks

[@flywiththeguys]

Check out a few of the online ground schools. A quick google search will provide plenty of them.

[@m.s.aviation7065]

2nd

[@flywiththeguys]

Nice.

[@NouSkion]

How to choose a CFI? How about how to find a CFI?! None of them will even respond!

[@flywiththeguys]

Sometimes finding one can be a challenge. I'm looking for one right now for a project and they're just in hiding most the time. When I find one that could be good, they don't want to be on camera. =(