Hi, I read in previous posts that the flight hours CFI’s build each month can vary between 50 to 100 depending on a variety of factors (eg. weather, # of students, etc). I’m curious if CFI’s are able to choose how many students they wish to work with (either more or less)? What’s the process in which students are assigned to CFI’s? Thanks in advance for everyone’s insights - this forum is incredibly helpful!
Ravi,
You are correct that some instructors fly an average of 50-100, some may not even get 50 if the weather persists consistent non-flying weather or if the location doesn’t have the student population. CFIs are given students based on a rotation, currently I’m seeing some instructors being given positions like the main commercial phase instructor and flight instructor instrument add-on. I currently have 2 students, but one was given to me to finish their phase of program since both our lead and TSS (in-house) went to the regionals and their current instructor took the lead position.
Brady
Ravi,
Any flight school will somewhat lima how many students a CFI has. If you are an ATP instructor, they will control student allocation in a way that makes sense for the students and instructors. At other flight schools, they will probably limit it as well as a CFI with too many students will not be able to offer sufficient flexibility to the students.
Chris
Ravi,
Let me ask you a question? After you invest $90k into the program would you want your instructor to be juggling as many students as possible, not caring about the students or their needs but simply how many hours they can build as quickly as possible OR an instructor who is not only there to build their time, but understands the students are where they were and deserve a certain level of attention and flexibility?
Adam
Hi Brady, thanks for sharing!
Chris, that’s good to know!
Adam, couldn’t agree more!
Ravi,
Flight time does vary from CFI to CFI due to many reasons, weather, aircraft availability and student load. At ATP, student allocation is done through the TSS and lead instructor. The goal is for all students to get the equal time and attention with their instructor. So one CFI having 4 students while another has 1 is definitely something that the training support staff tries to mitigate and avoid if at all possible. There are a few exceptions, for example brand new instructors are limited to 1-2 students in the beginning just to get their bearings. Also there are some specialty CFI positions like the ones that do all the Comm SE training or ME training that may fluctuate and have more students than average at some points… but you get the gist. Student allocation will always be at the best interest of the student, not the instructor who gets to log the time.
-Hannah
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Hannah, thanks for outlining…very helpful info.