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7 Answers

Is it viable to work as a Flight Instructor nowadays?

Asked by: 5331 views , ,
Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor, Private Pilot

I have been pondering the idea of becoming a Certified Flight instructor  for some time now. But I have many concerns, for example costs, time, and job availability etc. My main concern however is, Can it be done? And feed the family, pay for bills, have time to do other important things in life. I am not a pilot yet, or have a family, i'm 19 and choosing a career. My options are either choose to become a CFI or (one of my other interests) become a computer programmer. I realize it will cost upwards of 30,000 to become a CFI in the first place, but i've always wanted to learn how to fly! I don't have an interest in flying for major airlines or making hours as a flight instructor, I simply want a job that I will love and get income to pay for lifes many things (bills, food, etc) I don't want to find myself working 60 hours a week (~40 hours is probably my max). So can it be done? I would like a Realistic answer. And if it matters I will probably be moving to Houston TX in the coming months. 

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7 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Oct 21, 2014

    Get a degree in Computer Science and then learn to fly after you graduate. This way you will be able to afford it. Realistically, in my opinion, you can’t earn a decent living as a young flight instructor.

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  2. Felix on Oct 21, 2014

    You’ll make a lot more money as a computer programmer than you will as an instructor. I work as a software engineer during the day, and work as a CFI at a local flight school early mornings, evenings and weekends. Worst part is that 9-5 Monday-Friday all I can think about is being in the air and flying rather than sitting in this office in front of this screen…

    You are young, you have choices. Do what you love first and don’t think about money. You could be making a ton of money but if you hate every second of it you will regret your choice.

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  3. deon lombard on Oct 21, 2014

    I have a opportunity for a young recent qualified flight instructor to build hours very quickly at corona / riverside area
    Part time is ok as well
    Call Deon 9492839041

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  4. Adam on Oct 22, 2014

    Learn to fly for the fun of it. Choose a day job that you both enjoy doing and are also adequately compensated for. Becoming a CFI is one of two reasons. #1 to build experience for the next flying job. #2 For the love of teaching. Thankfully, for both my own and my students’ sake I was doing both. Instructing is what you make of it. It’s definitely not going to be a comfortable living. Even if you are experienced. (Not including the KINGS or ATP types) they made out pretty well…

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  5. Tom on Oct 22, 2014

    It is tough to sustain a decent income as a CFI. You have to take into account weather, if it’s crappy for a week, you have no flights, amount of students, and time. When I was instructing full time, I could spend 12 hours at the airport, and maybe get paid for 8 hours if it was a good day. Thrown in some weather I might have had 2 or 3 days without any pay.

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  6. Nibake on Oct 27, 2014

    Take this with a grain of salt, but if I were going to try to make a career out of flight instruction here is what I would do:

    -Probably need to live in a metropolitan area so you can target individuals who are will to pay a little extra for a highly recommended instructor.
    -Sharpen your skills constantly, go above and beyond your students needs so as to get future referrals
    -Buy a plane, get your A&P and do your own 100 hr inspections

    You should be able to charge $50/hr and pocket $20-30/hr on the airplane rental as well, enough to make a decent living if you were doing 3-4 hours a day of instructing (when the weather was good).

    That would require having probably 10-15 students depending on the frequency of lessons that each one wanted.

    Having said that, I already have CFI and am close to getting my A&P. To start from scratch you will have to pay probably about $100,000 or take out a LOT of student loans. The perks would be having your own airplane and setting your own schedule however you please. The downsides are pretty obvious, irregular scheduling, irregular income, poor cost of training – career pay ratio. But if you love flying and teaching and are a natural teacher go for it. If you’re not sure about those two things maybe get another job first and think about flying a little later.

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  7. Gary on Nov 08, 2014

    John, not to be blunt, but you’ll never know until you work as a cfi. Don’t listen to others. If it’s truly what you want, follow your passion. Who knows…mabe you’ll find you wouldn’t do anything else.

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