Training Costs

Private Pilot Training

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight training in order to be eligible to apply for the private pilot license. The national average is 65 hours. The total price will vary depending on each individual’s time required to meet government standards. This is only an estimate. The following prices are based on the minimum of 40 hours. You pay for each lesson as you complete each lesson. No up-front payments are required.

Cherokee 140

40 hours Aircraft rental (Cherokee 140)-$7,000

30 hours Flight instruction-$1,800

15 hours Ground instruction-$900

Books & Supplies-$125.00

FAA Medical Exam-$80.00

FAA Written Test-$165

FAA Practical Test (Check-ride)-$900.00

Total-$11,570

Instrument Rating

An instrument rating will allow you to legally fly solely by reference to instruments. In order to be eligible for an instrument rating you must have at least a private pilot license. 40 hours of instrument flight training is required. You must have at least 50 hours of cross country time as pilot in command by the end of your training. You must pass a knowledge (written) test as well as a practical (flight) test. Following prices are an estimate. Again, you pay as you go.

40 hours Aircraft rental (Cherokee 140)-$7,000

40 hours Flight instruction-$2,400

15 hours Ground instruction-$900

Books & Supplies-$125

FAA Written Test-$165

FAA Practical test (Check-ride)-$900.00

Total-$11,490

Commercial Pilot 

To be eligible for a Commercial License you must hold at least a Private Pilot certificate. You must have at least 250 hours of flight time, 100 hours as pilot in command and 50 hours of cross country time as pilot in command. Some of the other requirements may have already been met during your training for the private pilot license and instrument rating. This will vary with each person. A review of your log book would be required. The estimated prices below assume none of those requirements have been met prior to commercial training, except the 250 hours total time and 50 hours of cross country.

20 hours Aircraft rental-$3,500

10 hours Aircraft rental (complex)-$1,100.00

20 hours Flight instruction-$1,200

10 hours Ground instruction-$600

Books & Supplies-$80.00

FAA Written test-$165

FAA Practical test (Check-ride)-$900.00

Total-$7,545