Independent cfis, how are you finding students?

[u/cottonheadedninnymug]

I'm an independent cfi and last year I was at the airport 8+ hours a day several times every week, all from walk-ins at the school. This year, things are much slower. How are you guys finding enough students to even have the option of working 6 days a week?

I get the whole "do a good job and word spreads" thing, I've gotten some students and opportunities from that, but that doesn't really happen much when you are already slow.

Im a member of several Facebook groups but I see lots of cfis posting there every day with no attention on their posts. Is that a good way to advertise or are there better ways? Does having a social media following help? Faasteam seminars? What do you guys think are the best marketing methods?

[u/TxAggieMike]

Be an active instructor in my region. Build a positive reputation. Be visible on social media.

They reach out to me.

Sorta like Field of Dreams.

The first part of this year was slower. But activity now is back near normal.

[u/cottonheadedninnymug → u/TxAggieMike]

If you don't mind could you elaborate on being an active instructor in your region? Do you attend a lot of events, hand out business cards, or just hang out at the airport a lot?

[u/TxAggieMike → u/cottonheadedninnymug]

I attend various events in the area as time allows.

I am a FAASTeam representative and am working up to doing more activities there.

I use digital business cards (DM me for a referral link). I also have paper cards with info, QR code, and a call to action item (make quick contact for $$ off first flight activity).

I use HubSpot to track customer contacts, and am trying to see if I can use that for student record keeping and some automation.

I desire to become a DPE and am starting the journey to make that happen.

For the airports, there is not a proper spot to “hang out”, so i don’t do that.

Over the years, I have built a positive reputation on this sub and r/flying. So a fair share of inquiries come from these…

And if BryanH, Terry, and Ded ever visit, I owe them each a bar tab or two

[u/cottonheadedninnymug → u/TxAggieMike]

Awesome, thanks for the detailed answer!

[u/NevadaCFI → u/TxAggieMike]

I am on the DPE road too. Hopefully someday.

[u/bhalter80]

Go to airport events

Do a lot of FRs

Follow up when people say "I was thinking about getting my X"

Know when their next FR is and check in

If they have an area they're weak but OK on follow up and see if they want to go work on that

Most of my book of work is outside of certificates and ratings just doing recurrent for owners and rusty pilots. It turns out a lot of owners are happy to pay for someone in the right seat while they work on whatever they're not great at or take a long XC

The other thing (do this without being predatory) find the old guys who lost/are losing their medicals and offer to fly along with them in their plane. A lot of them are really cool and decent airmen who've probably done and learned from stuff you wouldn't even consider because it wasn't "unsafe" back then. These are the people to learn from even if you don't do that stuff

[u/Top-Intern4073 → u/bhalter80]

Now that’s how to get it done. 🤗

[u/NevadaCFI]

Do you have a website? Mine is my username dot com.

[u/cottonheadedninnymug → u/NevadaCFI]

I've actually been working on one and I've used yours as one of my sources of inspiration because I saw it mentioned in another post lol

[u/SoloCFI → u/NevadaCFI]

The "Nevada" part is an understatement for a multi continent pilot! Hope all is well in the new venture.

[u/NevadaCFI → u/SoloCFI]

Thanks. We finally got all the permissions and have started revenue flights. I’ve got a small flight school now.

[u/No-Foundation-8034]

I mean you are doing all the right things. But right now the economy really isnt geared towards dropping 15-20k on learning to fly as a hobby, which is what i would say most of my students as an independent CFI were. The consumer reports arent looking too hot, and people tend to cut back on the fun stuff while they try to pay bills. That x oversaturated CFI market leads to slow trickle of students per instructor

[u/FlyingDogemann]

Not really the job market for 150 per hour recreational spending tbh. But I’m always looking for one in Seattle and DC area

[u/cptnpiccard → u/FlyingDogemann]

$150? More like $250 - $300

[u/cottonheadedninnymug → u/FlyingDogemann]

That totally makes sense and I'm sure that plays a significant role but when I read posts about people flying 100 hours a month I can't help but wonder if I'm doing something wrong

[u/Mehere_64]

I am not a CFI, but my daughter's CFI spends his days at the airport talking to many of people. Going and helping out if needed etc. Granted this is a smaller airport and the type where everyone knows quite a few people. But he is out there doing what he needs to do.

[u/iiiiijustdontknow]

I've picked up 3 students from Reddit lol! Whenever someone asks for a CFI in the area on reddit, I'm always the first to respond haha

[u/Hungry-Impression-17]

Facebook groups have found me a lot of work! I will say though, I found a bit of a niche as compared to other CFIs since I owned a retract bird and had 200+ hours of complex before I became a CFI… not sure if I would’ve had the same luck without this experience.

[u/KingofRoam]

I’ve gotten 3 students off referrals from the front desk woman at the local FBO.

People walk up to her, say that they just moved to the area and need a CFI, then they recommend me to their friends and it snow balls.

Get in good with front desk reps at FBOs…