Tipping Your Instructor

H

HerrGruyere

Line Up and Wait
Joined
Mar 21, 2012
Messages
720
Location
Middle River, MD
Display Name
Pistol Pete
Home Airfield
KMTN
Since it seems that everyone needs to be tipped these days no matter where you go, I need to ask: should I tip my instructor after I pass my checkride? By tip, I mean get a gift - like a gift card/certificate, nice bottle of scotch, etc.

It seems weird to do it, but I wasn't sure if it's expected or just simply appreciated.

Now, I know a lot of you instructors out there will be like, "Sure yeah of course you need to tip :wink2::yes::smilewinkgrin:" Maybe some instructors can't accept gifts? Maybe it would be considered bribery by some strange warping of the FARs.
 
I have had several instructors. Maybe a text message with my smiling face when the time comes will be gift enough.
 
I gave mine a Visa giftcard when I passed my PP. He'll probably get another one, though smaller amount, when I pass my IR.
 
Yeah, it's kind of funny. I'm expected to tip the cab driver, tip the guy in the bathroom who hands me a paper towel, but when I risk my life for a customer, no tip. Actually, I never even think of a tip and don't even let clients buy my lunch unless they are just really insistent about it. I've received a few thank-you gifts when someone passed a checkride, but that is rare and neither expected nor customary.
 
Never expected one, never received one. Wouldn't turn it down, though!
 
Wait until he's not looking then run up behind him and push?

Actually, the guy who just did my BFR is overjoyed when I told him he could use my plane to get his own BFR.
 
I tipped mine. I hoped he'd get the AC in his car fixed but he bought his wife a present. <sigh>
 
My wife and I took my instructor and his wife out for dinner after I got mine. Eating sushi and talking airplanes...my kind of night.
 
I got my cfi a gift certificate to a restaurant that i knew he and his wife were fans of. Given all he did for me during my training, i just felt it was nice to show my appreciation.
 
I wish my initial CFI was still alive. I'd love to just go fly with him again. Darned heart attack, anyway!
 
Two of the nicest gifts I ever received back when I was a full time CFI in order of preference;

1. A complete original aircraft flight manual for a DeHavilland Beaver
2. A big bottle of Mr. Daniels No. 7
 
My CFI is on the "free sectionals for life" and "free electronics consulting for life" program. He's my friend and hangermate and didn't charge me for my lessons.
 
When I solo'ed, my wife and I took out Glen Perkins and his wife the nicest place to eat within 50 miles..

Same with me passing my PP checkride....
That guy was a GREAT instructor. I have tried to find him lately but all searches turned up blanks.:(:sad:..

Instructors give us all the desire and ability to fly safely and enjoy aviating.. They all deserve a tip. IMHO.:yes:
 
Last edited:
I trained the manager of an airport restaurant, and he comped a dinner for my wife and myself. Can't remember anyone else tipping me or giving me a gift.

Bob Gardner
 
Got mine, the day before I departed to move across the country a nice big fat gift certificate for as much as two people could possibly eat at the best steakhouse in MT. My CFI is cheap even by pilot standards so I thought I'd force him to eat well.
 
Treated my CFI to dinner on New Years Eve Dec 31, 2010
 
If I remember to actually bill someone that's a miracle in itself.
 
I had the same CFI for all my PPL training, and believe me he needed the patience of a saint while guiding me through the process of becoming a pilot for a little over the 12 months we worked together.

After I passed my checkride I did give him a what I considered a reasonable monetary tip/donation to put towards the restoration fund of an old Taylorcraft he is busy with.

I thought it only right to show my appreciation as during my training he put in a lot of extra time that didn't go on the clock, and was always there on the end of the phone day or night with advice for me if I was struggling with something during my ground studies while at home.
 
I taught at one one the puppy mills. In my year and a half there I received quite a few lunches, a bottle of Makers Mark, and a C note.

All appreciated and none expected.
 
I gave my CFI a small aviation related gift, I can't recall if it was for Hanukkah or after I passed my PP check ride. I've also given both my CFI and CFII a bunch of free legal advice and a few meals. Each of them charged me nary a penny for the ground work.

I do not look like it as a tip however, I look at it as a thank you gift or just an acknowledgment of the relationship and nice things they have done for me. I look at it as something much more personal than a tip.
 
Seems like a lot of you had more personal CFIs, in that they trained you in a personal airplane, were part of your flying club, were hangar buddies, etc. Mine is from a very active 141 school. I dunno. I'll think of something.
 
During my instruction, whenever we had lunch/dinner someplace, I paid. Later when my former instructor became my boss, he paid. ;)

My students usually didn't do that for me, but sometimes did. Never expected a tip, that's why I have a fee for service.

When I was a CFI-for-fun, I just told people to make a donation to Cloud Nine. When I was being a professional pilot, I charged money that went to me (obvious reasons). Now that I'm back to engineering, I haven't done any flight instruction (and don't expect to do much), but I'll revert to donation to Cloud Nine.
 
I think the gift certificate for dinner is a great idea that the CFI and his wife can enjoy.
When I passed my checkride I tookmy CFI, his wife, my pilot mentor, and the owner of the flight school to diner at a 5-star restaurant with live entertainment.
 
Upon initial interview with my CFII he told me that all of his students, once they pass their checkride, take him and his wife out to dinner at "nice resturant of my choice." Oddly enough, I'm looking forward to paying for that meal. :)
 
HerrGruyere said:
Seems like a lot of you had more personal CFIs, in that they trained you in a personal airplane, were part of your flying club, were hangar buddies, etc. Mine is from a very active 141 school. I dunno. I'll think of something.
Click to expand...

I was/is at a 141 school. It's not a pilot mill though, just a mom and pop type that happens to be about 24 airplanes and 10ish CFIs large. I think it depends on how well you got along with your CFI and how much "extra" he or she did for you. I don't feel like my CFI gave me the bare minimum at all.
 
When I did my PPL XC my instructor and I landed in a crab shack's parking lot and I paid for dinner.

I was on my third CFI by the time I got my PPL and didn't think a gift was appropriate (or deserved) since I had only been flying with him for a month.
 
HerrGruyere said:
Seems like a lot of you had more personal CFIs, in that they trained you in a personal airplane, were part of your flying club, were hangar buddies, etc. Mine is from a very active 141 school. I dunno. I'll think of something.
Click to expand...

Nah I learned at a 141 school too, I just like my instructors we got to be good friends.

numl0ck said:
Upon initial interview with my CFII he told me that all of his students, once they pass their checkride, take him and his wife out to dinner at "nice resturant of my choice." Oddly enough, I'm looking forward to paying for that meal. :)
Click to expand...

That to me is a bit presumptious. Like he is asking for dinner, and why his wife:dunno:
 
I mean, I'm not best friends with my instructor. I wouldn't call her to go hang out at a bar. But, she's been a great teacher and helped me out along the way in addition to answering my goofy texts regarding questions I have.
 
Wait? You mean I'm not supposed to send Jesse $5000 every month even after the rating is done?

Someone gave me bad info. I need to look into this. ;)

(To be serious, I'm pretty sure I bought the first round and will be more than happy to buy Jesse's first round hereafter, anytime I see him, or at least until we're too old to care.)
 
I must admit, I've been very generous with my CFI's (buying lunch, gifts, etc). Mostly because the majority have been young and borderline poor/starving. There was a time when I was in their position and others were kind and helped me. It is all about paying back my cosmic debt.
 
Last edited:
I never tipped a CFI and never received any. To be honest, I'd probably turn it down. I hope I don't get flamed for saying this, but I think it detracts from the professionalism that most (many?) CFI's try to project.
 
Rose2012 said:
I never tipped a CFI and never received any. To be honest, I'd probably turn it down. I hope I don't get flamed for saying this, but I think it detracts from the professionalism that most (many?) CFI's try to project.
Click to expand...

I see your point, and I just edited my post. I never actually "tipped" someone as in giving them more cash than they asked for. What I think most of us are talking about are offering to buy lunch occasionally, or buying them a gift in appreciation that is useful for them.
 
Gubbins said:
I see your point, and I just edited my post. I never actually "tipped" someone as in giving them more cash than they asked for. What I think most of us are talking about are offering to buy lunch occasionally, or buying them a gift in appreciation that is useful for them.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm realizing that, reading through the thread again. Giving a gift after passing a checkride is not something I would call tipping. :)
 
Rose2012 said:
I never tipped a CFI and never received any. To be honest, I'd probably turn it down. I hope I don't get flamed for saying this, but I think it detracts from the professionalism that most (many?) CFI's try to project.
Click to expand...

I don't follow. Why would getting tipped for being a CFI be unprofessional?

Would it therefore also be unprofessional to accept a tip for a safe and comfortable flight for my passengers when flying charters? How about from customers when I was a Jag mechanic and they were pleased with my work? None of them ever received preferential treatment for their tips, and I handled all of them in the same, courteous manner. But I definitely appreciated the tips I got.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top