Learn to Fly Cost

Now I am going to add all of this up for you. As you can see from breaking your private pilot training down into three sections and then adding in books and materials, this is probably quite a bit higher than most flight schools will lead you to believe.

Like I said there are a lot of great flight schools out there and then there are a lot of bad ones. The key to the entire process is planning and researching. From the other three articles here, I have put down all of the costs together to come up with a realistic cost estimate for you.

Once again I will use an aircraft rate of $120 Per hour For a C-172 and $45 for the Instructor Since that is what I charge. Remember you will find many different rates in different areas of the country so just use my numbers as a guide for you. After you read this you can use the cost estimate workbook at the bottom of the page to plug in the rates for the aircraft and flight instructors in your area.


Private Pilot License Books and Materials Cost


Private Pilot License Kit $200.00

Aviation Medical $100.00

Headsets $290.00

Total $590.00


Private Pilot License Pre Solo Cost


17 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour

5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )

Total Dual Instruction $2805.00

Total Ground Instruction $225.00

TOTAL # 2 $3030.00


Private Pilot License Post Solo Cost


11.1 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour

2.5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )

5 Hours of Solo Flight Time @ $120 Per Hour

11.1 Hours Dual Instruction $1,831.50

2.5 Hours Ground Instruction $112.00

5 Hours of Solo Flight Time $600.00

TOTAL# 3 $2543.00


Private Pilot License Flight Test Preparation Cost


3 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour

5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )

10 Hours of Solo Flight Time @ $120 Per Hour

Flight Test Examiner Fee

Flight test (airplane)

3 Hours Dual Instruction $825.00

5 Hours Ground Instruction $225.00

7.5 Hours of Solo Flight Time $900.00

Flight Test Examiner Fee $400.00

Flight Test (airplane) $180.00

Total # 4 $2,530.00  


Total Private Pilot License Cost


Now when we add all of this up we get the following cost Estimate:

Books and Materials $590.00

Pre Solo Flight Training $3030.00

Post Solo Flight Training $2543.00

Flight Test Preparation $2530.00

TOTAL $8693.00


So you can see this is probably more than most flight schools will lead you to believe. There are some honest one out there. You just need to research before you start flying.

Airfreddy


Airfreddy's Private Pilot Handbook

Airfreddy's Private Pilot Ecourse

Airfreddy's Flying Stories

Airfreddy's Flight Training Site