How to Become a Successful Independent CFI 

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

Outstanding! Sold my business, also Retired P.O. & Retired from Miltary. I'm going full throttle as well, and I'm only 39🙌🙌

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.

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!

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 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.

Have to agree the synergy between instructor and student is so important. I remember one instructor that was a battle every time.

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.

Phenomenal video and great advice. Thanks for your content, it’s been very helpful as I’m picking headings to navigate my career as a pilot.

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.

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.

Wow man, how did I just find this? I’ll be following (copying) closely 😎

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!

Only a few minutes in, appreciate your structured content. Retired military, working on a second career myself.

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.

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!!

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

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 RU-vid? Amazing what you’ve done in such a short time. Great Work!!!

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

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!

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/RU-vid side of things and putting together/editing your content? Most folks wouldn't even know where to begin on that.

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. 😊

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 !

Interesting. Most people are not cut out to be entrepreneurs. Three-hour blocks work at a flight school if you schedule that way. And bill that way. The “standard” Private syllabus needs to be revamped - I like your mixing of maneuvers and XC; I’ll add some of that in. Word of mouth works great at a flight school. I’m the busiest MEI in a 100-mile radius. OK, the only one.)

Great info! Thanks

Yay, this is the one i’ve been waiting for. ☕️

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!

Cool to see EI-SKP from my home field EIWT Weston in Ireland

Thanks for sharing. I was actually not considering taking the CFI route, but after watching this video, I may be changing my mind.

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.

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.

Being an independent CFI is the route I am looking for so this video it is validating my research.

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!

Fantastic video, Trent. Hell yeah.

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.

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.

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

I have watched your growth and I am so thankful for this video.

You're the man Trent!

Awesome information

Nice, Can't wait for the video on "Owning your own plane" Very educational. Always informative.

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.

First to watch... lol Thanks for the content you provide!

I've been looking forward to this video, HUGE THANK YOU!

Love this channel. So inspiring and has helped motivate me throughout my training.

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?

You are always breaking ground and sharing awesome information for those of us that are new to aviation. Thank you!

Great info

Thank you for sharing this! Awesome content! I appreciate your transparency!

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.

Thanks for sharing Trent!

Thank you so much for always putting out such great content, Trent!

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? 🙏🙏🙏

I really like the videos. You have jumped in with both feet and capitalized on the entire process. Good luck with your journey.

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.

I just started flight training and getting to 1500 hours was always the part dreadful to me the most. But thanks to this video, I think I stand a decent chance to even enjoy it.

That’s impressive man congrats.

Thanks for all your great information

Excellent video Trent. I have given it a thumbs up and have shared it with a CFI friend.

Love the ideas, Sir. Going to incorporate some into my business.

I support this amazing channel. Keep it up Trent!!

Fantastic video with lots of information. Thank you so much for sharing your insights!

This is Amazing! Thanks for sharing your experience and breakdown everything!!🛫🛫🤙🏼🤙🏼

Awesome video Trent, love the channel and how much you’ve grown! Great info as always, your videos are always a must watch!

Thanks Trent! Great info as usual. Saving us a lot of time and money.

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?

Heavily considering doing this. My current flight school only pays me $17/hour and they don’t allow me to charge for ground instruction

This awesome!! Thank you for this information

Wow! Great information about the possibilities. Thanks!

Nice work Trent!✈️

Thanks for the videos.

Another great video; very insightful, thanks!

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

One thought, for CFIs not sure about transitioning to being independent, start out and stay at a flight school but “moonlight” as a CFI at the local flying club. Flying clubs often have planes that sit, will have you covered for insurance, and want to have student pilots as it’s essentially their pipeline for membership. You’ll find most flight clubs do have members who are CFIs but almost none of them want to do PPL and prefer IFR students so there’s a lot of opportunities there. Pretty much the path that all the CFIs at the local flight school do as they learn it from eachother. Mon-Fri teaching in the flight school’s TAAs with glass, on the weekends flying with club member student pilots at a $50/hr rate but in classic 172s and 150s with steam gauges. Also, you don’t have to pay the club fees since you are instructing someone who already is paying membership dues. Now go out and actually try it, don’t just fantasize about doing it. Best of luck to all my fellow aviators.

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)

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.

Thanks for the video!

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

I am playing with the idea of becoming a cfi - I love the ida of 3 hour training sessions - makes a lot of sense.

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

Great vid Trent

Thanks for the info

Id be curious about the contract language btw you and an aircraft owner, or even the legal protection around using your own aircraft for instruction.

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.

Great job Trent, when you were a newly minted CFI, did you have to work for a flight school to gain experience and confidence in order to become an independent CFI?

Love your thought process as an entrepreneur. -

20k a month? Really? I did exactly what you’re talking about for two years and it was utterly exhausting. Enjoyable but dangerously exhausting. Didn’t make a quarter of what you’re talking about. Maybe with perfect maintenance, perfect health, perfect weather, and perfect students who have limited outside responsibilities… maybe…

Thanks for the info Trent. I scrolled the questions and may have missed it….but, how many individual students are you training? Meaning do you have 7 students that train roughly twice a week? Asking because I am trying to figure out how many students a cfi would need to fill 4-6 training blocks weekly.

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

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!.

Great video. Just discovered your channel. Any videos on fast track to becoming independent CFI? Working on PPL right now.

Thank you!!!

Here I thought I was too old at 42 to start a career in aviation.

Congratulations sir 🎉

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?

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?

Nice 👍🏾

1) start rich 2) make a youtube channel 3) get your CFI!!

Thanks Trent for more amazing information! I do have several questions regarding this independent route. What was the hourly charge of the aircraft? Did the students pay for fuel separately or was it covered under the rental? How did you schedule the students (IE app or paper and pencil)? Thank you!

Thanks