How to Become a Successful Independent CFI
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มี.ค. 2024
- In today's video, I'm going to share with you how I've built an incredibly successful business as in independent flight instructor (CFI) with the hopes of enabling/inspiring some of you to do the same.
Thanks for watching!
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👋 About Me 👋
After a successful business career where I've started and sold a number of companies, I've decided to get out from behind my computer to pursue a lifelong passion and start career 2.0 as a professional pilot. My goal is to get to 1500 hours and then either work for a large regional, a major, or possibly even cargo. You can learn more at www.FlyWithTrent.com.
My Social Accounts:
Instagram: / fly_with_trent
LinkedIn: / trentdyrsmid
Twitter: / trentdyrsmid
🌟 🎬 Video Editing By The Tweaky Tales (Thetweakytales.com)🎬🌟 - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![แฉ [2/4] 17 ก.ค. 67 “ลิลลี่ เหงียน” เปิดใจหลัง “เอิร์ก เลเดอเรอร์” ตอกกลับเรื่องโกงเงิน 50 ล้าน](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/s8KapfEO5NI/mqdefault.jpg)
You are the #1 reason I decided to to transition out of a 24 year career in trucking and peruse career 2.0 in aviation. The plan is to collect ratings and build time over the next 2 years while my youngest finishes high school then sell my trucking company and move forward. I never considered it as a career when I got my private at 40 because I thought I was to “old” now 43 you defiantly changed my thinking on that. Thanks Trent
Scott!! That is so cool to hear! Get it :)
Go for it!! 🎉
I too own a trucking company and am going to be in flight school next year!
David….i get more truckers here than just about any other vocation. Get it!
Same boat here..
Outstanding! Sold my business, also Retired P.O. & Retired from Miltary. I'm going full throttle as well, and I'm only 39🙌🙌
Pretty young!
You have to do at least 20yrs each in military & P.O to be retired. How you only 39
@@kingslate1he was probably national guard
Disability retirement
✈️✈️
I always thought the monotony of training flights with just maneuvers and no real destination was the worst part of PPL training. I practically begged my instructor to take me somewhere else one day! Good on you for including that experience right from the beginning!
I disliked those flights as the instructor, just as much as you dislike them as a student. Scenario based training is definitely the way to go, and the FAA believes in it.
2:40 Control Your Schedule
4:32 Choose Your Students
5:41 Insurance
6:32 Finding Aircraft to Fly
8:24 How I Organize my Schedule
13:26 The Work in the Evening
Super helpful info! You can tell he's a super experienced guy who's always learning and applying his own methods for efficiency.
Thanks for that!
@@trent_dyrsmid Your videos are FULL of valuable information. Many of us are actually using them as a blueprint to follow in your footsteps. To make your videos even more useful as a reference tool, please consider adding timestamps in the video timeline for your chapters/topics much like this commenter did. I know this probably adds some time to the edit but it makes the content EVEN BETTER!
I’ll work on that. It’s a good suggestion.
Thank you for sharing this! Awesome content! I appreciate your transparency!
My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Glad I found your channel. I'm 50 yrs old, have my PPl with instrument rating. Just started school again to get my commercial and CFI. I have no desire to go to the airlines. CFI is my next career. This video has been a huge help as I figure out what life looks like after earning my CFI. Thanks for sharing this information.
You’re welcome! Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. It all helps my channel to grow and help more guys/gals like us!!
Excellent video! This is a step by step outline, recipe really. I am inspired by your work and love of teaching. Thanks Trent!
You’re welcome Matthew!
Thank you so much for always putting out such great content, Trent!
Thx Jake!
Fantastic video, Trent. Hell yeah.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome video! Great actionable content Trent. Thank you so much!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! Great information about the possibilities. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Trent, my fellow aviator, thanks for always taking time out of your life to give us future aviators all the free knowledge! You're always super informative!
I appreciate that! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
I've been looking forward to this video, HUGE THANK YOU!
Your welcome!
So have I.
🙌
You are always breaking ground and sharing awesome information for those of us that are new to aviation. Thank you!
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
This is Amazing!
Thanks for sharing your experience and breakdown everything!!🛫🛫🤙🏼🤙🏼
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video Trent. I have given it a thumbs up and have shared it with a CFI friend.
Much appreciated!
Another great video; very insightful, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have watched your growth and I am so thankful for this video.
🙌🙌
Awesome video Trent, love the channel and how much you’ve grown! Great info as always, your videos are always a must watch!
Joe….I appreciate that! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
I really like the videos. You have jumped in with both feet and capitalized on the entire process. Good luck with your journey.
Thanks so much!
This awesome!! Thank you for this information
You're so welcome!
Thanks Trent! Great info as usual. Saving us a lot of time and money.
Glad to help! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Thanks for sharing Trent!
You bet!
Fantastic video with lots of information. Thank you so much for sharing your insights!
My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
I support this amazing channel. Keep it up Trent!!
Thx!!
Great video Trent. Thank you very much for breaking things down this way. I am looking to start my own independent CFI business and this has sold me on how to get started.
Glad it was helpful! 🙌🙌🙌
Loved the comparison. Coming from a military background as an NCO, teaching /training Soldiers and watch them progress is a passion of mine. I was anticipating this video of yours to hopefully give me the motivation to follow your route after my training is complete. Keep it up sir! Stay blessed!
Thx!!
Another great, informative video Trent! I especially like how you are doing 3 hour lessons while also incorporating a destination into every flight. I worked at a 141 school way back in the late 80’s early 1990-91. I did the 2 hour block 120 flight hour months when I was 30+ years younger. I am now just casually instructing as an independent part 61 guy. I don’t need to build hours and quality of life is what I seek. I prefer the boutique method of instructing for both time management as well as type of student. Congratulations on your successes, your efforts and entrepreneurship have earned you them!
Thx Ron!!
Thanks for sharing. I was actually not considering taking the CFI route, but after watching this video, I may be changing my mind.
Glad it was helpful!
bro! you've came a long way, SUPER FAST! Having a great starting point i'm sure helped out a lot verses some who have had to piece it all together. Thanks for sharing what you have learned that got you to this point. Good job.
Thx Jamie! Is this the same Jamie Higdon I knew from many years ago?
You're the man Trent!
🙏
I recently started training (about 6 hours in) and I love it. This was a great video because I've been heavily thinking about leaving my tech sales job and going for the airlines/CFI work. Thanks for the information!
Glad it was helpful! I spent decades and sales and can’t imagine doing that type of work ever again. 🤮🤮🤮
Love this channel. So inspiring and has helped motivate me throughout my training.
Great to hear! Thank you for watching my videos!
Thanks for the video!
You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
You're the epitome of the self-motivated, hard working success! Through those efforts, everything you touch turns to gold.
The Americano way, via Canada.
Thanks Thomas!
Nice, Can't wait for the video on "Owning your own plane" Very educational. Always informative.
Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Only a few minutes in, appreciate your structured content. Retired military, working on a second career myself.
Good luck! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Being a pilot is my Career 1.0 and your videos are so informative for me. Thank you for making these videos. I’m working on getting through all my ratings. I’m working on my instrument right now. When I get my CFI, I’ve thinking about being an Independent CFI and this video showed what I have to be thinking about as my training continues. So thank you again. Also wondering how much you make just being a CFI without TH-cam? Amazing what you’ve done in such a short time. Great Work!!!
I make $4500 per week just as a CFI (40-45 hours a week at $95/hour). I make between $2-3k a month on TH-cam. And then I also have a few other sources of aviation income.
Very impressive work, Trent.
Thx Bryan!
Great info Trent! As a long time independent CFI, I agree with all you present here, and benefit from your strategies.
Training young CFI's currently, in light sport (FDCT) aircraft. Fully agree with your Light Sport rec.
Encouraging these young cfi's to develop their own clientele, marketing, distribution etc.
Keep up the great work!
Mark S.
Thx Mark!
Hi Trent, I just stumbled onto your channel and it’s perfect for me… I been planning my career 2.0 for my entire life. My logbook starts in 1991 but I didn’t get my license till 2017. Now I’m 55, retired from desk job and working on my CFI. The good thing is that I already own a plane and a little airstrip in Sacramento called Freedom Field. I used to make good money sitting at a desk and I’ve been worried about my transition to full time CFI and your video couldn’t have been timed any better for me!! I’ll be watching from now on… thanks for the great info!!
Good to hear! Blue skies ahead :)
Very generous with your knowledge! You could have sold this video as a paid course. And made even more. But you were generous and gave it to us for free - thank you!
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Thanks for all your great information
You’re welcome!
I've been looking at possibly getting my CFI and doing this part time since I work as a principal at a public school good info thank you
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Thanks for the videos.
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
I’ve been doing my research in becoming a pilot I’ve been watching your channel for awhile I have came across a similar idea good to see someone break it down more for me to view it in another perspective. Love your videos !
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. It all helps my channel to grow and help more guys/gals like us!! I wish you all the best in your journey as well :)
Mannnnnn, I haven't even begun my Private Pilot License- journey yet, but this video gave me so much hope. The common demoralizing factor to a new student like me is... time. It's like... nothing good comes out of flight training, other than that self-satisfaction at 40 hours. And then the mountain you have to climb to get where you want to be seems like watching paint dry. This video has single handedly re-engaged my passion and desire to fly. You sir, are a trailblazer. And without people like you, the world tends to spin a little slower. Thank you for this. I'm subscribing. Great video.
Thank you Charles. Glad to be of some help :)
Yay, this is the one i’ve been waiting for. ☕️
Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Great video, sir! I'm currently working on my commercial pilot certificate and have been thinking about becoming a CFI. This video is very motivating.
Go for it!
Nice work Trent!✈️
Thanks!
Thanks for the info
You bet!
Being an independent CFI is the route I am looking for so this video it is validating my research.
🙌🙌🙌
Great video. As an airline pilot who has dusted off his CFI, I found this very helpful. I look forward to an early retirement, after flying all over the world and look forward to a low and slow flying job that keeps me closer to home. 😊
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
I needed this video. Purchased a 172 I’m an A&P now looking to become a commercial pilot. This video gave me a clear vision on the road to obtain that goal without being an employee for a flight school, and have full control of my own time. Thank you
Johnny….you’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Another great video, I am a career 2.0 guy also. I am retiring from my Police Department in June and will hopefully have my class date in July. Working full time and Cfi ing every day is absolutely brutal. I worked full time and flew 1300 hours in two years this month. Thank goodness my airline is in the city I live in.
Yes, 35+ hours a week in the cockpit ain’t easy. I can’t wait to be done!
Really good video. Not mentioned is weather. In Michigan there are weeks and weeks where vfr training isn't possible. Other areas of the country are the same. So folks considering this business model should keep that in mind.
Pretty sure I mentioned the weather in the video…
Love your thought process as an entrepreneur. -
Thx!
Love the ideas, Sir. Going to incorporate some into my business.
Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
@@trent_dyrsmid I watch most of them
Thx!!
First to watch... lol
Thanks for the content you provide!
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Great vid Trent
Thx!
I became interested in becoming a pilot last summer. One of your videos that I watched detailing the steps of what that might look like sealed the deal for me. I just applied to flight school and have my medical next week!! Thank-you 😊 This is my career change that I've needed, and am beyond excited about
Sue!! That is so wonderful to hear! Please keep me updated :)
@@trent_dyrsmid thank you! I'll stay in touch
🙌
Hey Trent, congrats on your success and progress... It's very true that you can succeed if you just put the work in and stay persistent. I also appreciate the videos about alternate methods of achieving the hours (135, survey, etc) Ever thought of a discussion about the social media/TH-cam side of things and putting together/editing your content? Most folks wouldn't even know where to begin on that.
I might do that at some point. Maybe when I hit 50k subs….
Hi there Trent. I click your vids often because we are both gen X and fulfilling our pilot dreams. Not sure where you fly, but one thing that was not mentioned in this video is flying in between weather systems and/or poor density altitudes associated with turbulent air or thermals, which creates a poor learning environment. Having fun in flight is flying when it’s nice, right? So do you consistently get that many hours every week? Also, this is for others reading this, because you already know this,but….your success is because you are a workaholic. Determined individuals like yourself will always find success. How many lazy people do you know that are jealous of you? Well done Trent! Thanks for your time, thanks you tube.
I am fortunate to live in Boise, where we get over 300 days of sunshine per year, so at this time of year, I rarely lose flights to weather.
Impressive 20k per month. I wasn't expecting that, but so cool that you have worked hard and smart to set this up. I could totally see someone not wanting to go to the airlines and making a career as an CFI. Nice job! Keep up the awesome content.
Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Have to agree the synergy between instructor and student is so important. I remember one instructor that was a battle every time.
Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Thank you!!!
You're welcome!
I used to be a CFI before a career change and I can 100% confirm the downsides of working for a flight school. Years later I miss teaching and I plan to buy my own aircraft and teach independently for part-time income. Appreciate the good information.
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
These videos have been really great, you have put yourself out there and have given a lot of people the chance to "Go for it!".
Besides "The Controller" magazine, any recommendations for looking at lite sport aircraft? Thanks again! (Steve Borgholthaus)
Facebook. Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
I am one of those few that has no desire to get to the airlines. Aviation is my passion and I just wanna fly and teach others about the great world of aviation and how to fly as well! Thank you!
Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Great video!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Congratulations sir 🎉
Thx!
That’s impressive man congrats.
Thx Luke!
@@trent_dyrsmid how does that work with the aircraft owners paying you an extra $15 an hour just for using their plane? Never heard of that before.
There’s no rules about what an aircraft owner and a CFI have to agree to.
Awesome!
Thanks!
Continue your channel..... ❤❤❤❤❤
That's the plan! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Great video @Fly with Trent!! Very informative as always and thank you for sharing. On the paperwork side of things what application do you use to track your students and also allow students to maintain a balance with you to pay for lessons? Did you have to start and LLC for the company side of things as well? Keep these great videos coming your time and effort producing this content is greatly appreciated!.
Yes, I have an LLC and I track the finances in a Google sheet.
Awesome information
🙌🙌
I love your content
I love that you watched it ❤️
Good idea👍🏻
Thank you! Cheers!
Bravo!
Thx!
Thanks
You’re welcome!
Nice organized presentation
Thx Heath!
Excellent video Brother🦾
Thx Manny!
Saw you on the ramp at Jackson jet the other day. We’ll have to connect sometime ✈️
Say hi next time!
Great video Trent. I have my discovery flight booked this week. One questions is when I start going for my PPL. I know you did videos and suggestions on what to look for in flight schools. Should I stick with looking at flight schools or look and independent CFI instructors to get my PPL? Pros and cons? Thanks for all the help getting started
Michael, if you can find an independent CFI, who you get along well with, that is definitely worth considering. Failing that, go with either a flight school or a flight club and ensure it is part 61.
Great video
Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
This is great. Good tips. You’re in a different circumstance than 99.99% of normal CFIs. You can essentially price yourself in the upper echelon of all CFIs. But just having a good website with solid SEO can help. When I was looking for CFIs in my area I searched flight instructors near me and only got 2 hits in a 100mile radius. Pretty insane. When getting my tailwheel endorsement, it was even worse.
One thing I would probably do differently than you in the same position would be to buy a plane. Aircraft ownership is extremely lucrative. That’s another 70-100 an hour depending on the deal you get on the plane.
I'm finding that CFIs are like most any other entrepreneur -- they do a lousy job of marketing themselves. If they work for schools, the schools also do a mediocre job of marketing themselves AND the CFIs who work with them. Also, there are a lot of clubs and those folks don't advertise or promote much at all. I stumbled into a FB group for people in the SLC area where there are lots of Q&A about CFIs in that area. But I live in Phoenix, which is a hot-bed for flight training (well, for 8-9 months of the year) and I haven't found a similar FB group here. (Does anybody know of one?)
@@TheSchwartzIsWithYouToday yeah. I’m apart of airplanes and coffee. They encompass the whole USA. Posted in there about needing a tailwheel CFI and had a dozen or more respond. Knocked that out. And am doing acrobatic training this Thursday as well. I have a Citabria 7gcbc
Solid points! Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Excellent content Trent. Can you also follow up with the expenses of running your own school? Aircraft maintenance, storage, insurance, cost of buying a plane, etc. Also, what is the best plane to buy that makes this lucrative? Buying used, new, how to save on maintenance cost?
The maintenance costs are paid by the aircraft owners. As for the “best” plane to buy… there is obviously a lot of differing opinions on that. I think, purchasing a light sport makes the most sense.
Great video. One thing I think is missing is downtime for the plane and where is service taking place and are you getting priority. Light sport is good but is there someone in the hood to work on it. I wish you great wealth and happiness. All the best neal sw fla cfi
The plane gets 100 hour inspection every 2 or 3 weeks on Wednesday and I typically only fly one flight early Wednesday morning so it does not affect my income. The shop is local and very easy to work with.
Thanks Trent, lots of great info here! The airports in my area - Spokane - have minimum standards that require lease of office space, and more, in order to provide flight instruction. They don't allow through-the-fence operations. Any advice on how to find the right airport to be an independent CFI?
My advice, is definitely not earth shattering, and it is to just find an airport that would allow you to be an independent instructor.
Interesting video!
Glad you think so!
Great video! I'm trying to gather as much info as possible as get ready to start my CFI/CFII training. This video is particularly helpful because it's giving me ideas of how I can possibly transition from my current full-time job (not as a pilot) to flying full-time and building hours.
As far as training aircraft, I would love your advice. What is your opinion on using a center stick aircraft, such as a Diamond DA40, for commercial maneuvers? Do you think it has any inherent advantages or disadvantages over an aircraft with a yoke? Also, would you recommend a low-wing vs. a high-wing aircraft for training?
I have flown both high wings and lowing and yolk and stick, and they all have their unique characteristics. Any of them will suffice for training. If I had to pick, I would pick a stick.
Great video. Just discovered your channel. Any videos on fast track to becoming independent CFI? Working on PPL right now.
Thanks Dave! Watch this one th-cam.com/video/MkYuuJVhzpw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=XUNU0ovtemNB801Q
Man, if I had the cash to drop my job and come out to AZ or ID. That'd be a sick plane to train in. Well, I'll just keep hoping for weather to not be terrible every time I'm scheduled.
Martin….Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Awesome video thanks for all the great information. This is a goal of mine! I’m currently working as an A&P at a flight school and working towards my instrument rating. Just starting off there after 6 years of C17 crew chief experience.
I wonder what additional profit would be added when factoring in the reduced maintenance costs.
Jon….Thanks so much for watching one of my videos! I really appreciate you taking a moment to comment!
Man that’s a great thumbnail! Lol. I absolutely am interested to see how you got to make 20k a month as a CFI. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Trent.
I make $4500 per week just as a CFI (40-45 hours a week at $95/hour). I make between $2-3k a month on TH-cam. And then I also have a few other sources of aviation income.
Must live in Arizona, we only get about 150 days of flying weather in Tennessee. I’ve only had one full week of flying weather since November’23
Boise gets over 300 days of sunshine per year. Living in a sunny place is critical.
Hey Trent! Thanks for such a transparent video on the business side of instructing. This was very informative. One question for you... Did you work for a flight school initially to sort out some of the do's and don'ts that come with learning on the job? I am a helicopter pilot that is hopefully weeks away from the CFI check ride and honestly I am quite nervous about instructing on my own. Just having fellow instructors at a flight school to me feels like a bit of a safety net to refine the craft a little bit. Anyway, I am eager to here your thoughts on the matter. Cheers! ~eric
No, I never worked for a Flight School. I was also nervous about instructing, but that nervousness went away after giving just a couple of lessons.
Can you make a video on the top 10/5 airplane to use as an independent? Used or new models or any parameters really. Just something to keep in mind when shopping
I may do that soon-ish…
Awesome video Trent! Curious how you manage the 100hr maintenance requirement for a flight school and if that creates any bottlenecks in your process at all with plane being down, etc?
No bottlenecks. We work with a local maintenance shop that requires only one week notice and we are doing the hundred hour about every three weeks.
Thanks for another informative video Trent. Much appreciated. One point I'd love just a little more detail on: the aircraft rental/partnership agreement with the aircraft owner.
1) How did you determine the rate the owner will rent to you/your students for - I imagine this must be quite different plane to plane?
2) What's a fair commission/referral rate for any students you bring to the table? I know in your case this was ~$25/hr, was that flat or a percentage of total?
3) How do you schedule the aircraft to avoid conflicting with the owner's personal use?
🙏🙏🙏
1) I made a suggestion and he accepted
2) I’m not sure what you are asking.
3) Flight Circle scheduling software.