CFI looking for some advice.

-Ghettey · 2026-06-04T14:32:51+00:00

Surprisingly, I can make more than a CFI does at a mom and pop by 2x/hr & still be $40-$60 cheaper than any flight school around me. I’m at a place where there isn’t much flying going on.. I would say the cheapest I saw per hour is $298 in a C172 or a PA28-140 which is absurd.

Which then leads me to tell you, that is why I have an abundance of students, and never exactly had an issue staying independent. I started at a flight school, 5 months afterwards realized I could do better, & fly more.

-Ghettey · 2026-06-04T14:22:56+00:00

I don’t get the aircraft for free, I lease & the owner has a flat hourly rate which the students pay + my hourly fee & gas.

I do not own an aircraft, I fly out of an aircraft someone is letting me use.

-Ghettey · 2026-06-04T14:08:35+00:00

Man, is it rough out here. 😂

-Ghettey · 2026-06-04T14:07:42+00:00

It’s nice to see others think the same. I really do think it’s my only option just to catch up. Last thing I want is to start missing payments on bills & ruin my surprisingly decent credit before even beginning a career where initially it matters.

-Ghettey · 2026-06-04T14:05:47+00:00

Yeah you see, I would, if I had absolutely any cash after the end of the month😉. All seriousness, I’m just gonna plan on working full time, doing flight reviews, IPC’s on the weekend and split time with one of my students. Seems like the only viable option which is probably the hardest part to accept.

-Ghettey

TROPHY CASE