Where is cheap to do an FI Rating?

[ATC2NJE]

Does anyone have any ideas on where is a cheap place to do an FI rating or do you know anyone who is qualified and perhaps has their own aircraft?

I'll travel wherever...

Any thoughts gratefully received!

[mad_jock]

Do you have a job already lined up?

[ATC2NJE]

Potentially, yes...

[Downwind2Land]

Not necessarily the cheapest...but has a good rep for quality instruction at realistic prices:

www.egld.com/tpc


else try....

www.wycombeaircentre.co.uk
or Train for the Flight Instructor Rating FI(R) with Airways Flying Club
or OAA.com - Oxford Aviation Academy
or www.flysfc.com
or www.wlac.co.uk

[mad_jock]

Again not in the bargin basement of FI training but Ontract would give you good value for money

[chocksawayyy]

I did mine at Leicester, the price is just over 5K but that also covers yearly membership. The guys who do it there: John Pugh, Dave Biddles and Pete Green are all really good with a lot of experience.

[Whopity]

or do you know anyone who is qualified and perhaps has their own aircraft?

Qualified to do what? Are you thinking that you can just do a FI Course out of the boot of a car with someone who is qualified? All FI training must be conducted at an approved FTO.

If you have a job, potentially, they may have some ideas as to where they would prefer you trained, or even where not!

[ATC2NJE]

Thank you all, thank you especially Chocksawayyy, Leicester is certainly on my list. I'm also considering Panshanger, any opinions?

And Whopity, thank you for the information, that was the whole point of asking advice on this forum is to learn how these courses operate.

[Wide-Body]

I have just done an add on at Leicester. After 25 years as a professional aviator I was highly impressed. I would recommend them without hesitation. They are also damned good value for money

[nezzer]

Hi ,
I did my instructor rating with Leicester last May and I can also say they deliver a excellent course at a very good price.As for the market, there is no market for instructors at the minute at the end of this month I will proberley be out of my instructors position if Coventry does not open on the 1st of May as my current employer is tempory operating from Leicester Aero Club and the agreement will not be extended. I have posted CV's and visited may clubs in case the worst happens and everywhere I go I get the same answer "sorry we dont need anyone at the min" Anyway good luck with it all.

[G-KEST]

As an ex-FIC approved instructor from 1970 to 1999 and an FIE from 1972 to 1999 I can highly recommend Leicester.

I am a member there and base the aircraft I own with my son there so perhaps I am biased. However the standards of the FIC instructors there is very professional and the club facilities take a lot of beating. Moreover the atmosphere is friendly with no nonsense about wearing high viz jackets ot other H&S crap.

If I were starting again as I did back in 1960 with my own FIC I would choose Leicester. Though with my present NPPL(SEP) and at the age of 72 that is hardly likely. Still do some coaching and mentoring though and love it.

Cheers,

Reaper 69

[sherig]

From memory, FI courses are all fairly similarly priced... Can highly recommend David Scouller at Thruxton though. Very thorough!

[alphaadrian]

Timing!

Not sure how long FI courses are these days. I did mine back in 2003 in the states but do consider the time of year. You ideally want to be coming "online" april/may time to take advantage of building your student base up for the summer and then flying your pants off. I made the mistake of being "ready to go"in october and didnt get a job until february (and even then the school was dead till about april). Of course as the summer drew near i got snowed under with offers as schools struggled to find FIs!

Just my tuppence worth and something to bear in mind. Good luck

I guess what I mean is get a move on and get it done pronto!! ps You will learn loads and you will love it!