What Does Pilot Training Cost?

Straight talk about money.

Pilot training is not like a classroom course where the time and cost are fixed but the results vary. In school you may get an “A” or an “F” but you still pay the same price and take the same time. In pilot training the results are relatively fixed but the costs are variable. Imagine, for example, a college class where each person was required to attend until achieving a “A”! Some people would attend class longer than others and spend more time and money achieving the passing grade. Likewise, pilots are trained to a high, non-negotiable standard and it takes some pilots longer than others to achieve it.

Costs vary widely depending on several factors and no one will guarantee your training costs. Costs depend on how quickly you learn and on how efficiently you use your training time. The best ways to keep your costs low are:

• Fly Frequently - Students typically fly 2 - 4 times per week depending on how much time they are able to invest. The more often you fly, the less money you will spend on flight training. With every day which passes between your lessons, you will forget a little of what you learned, so try to fly at least twice weekly.
  
• Prepare - The key to having a productive lesson is your preparation. Complete your ground school assignments and memorize your procedures. Some students come unprepared and their instructors must teach them what they could have learned at home. Instructors may be willing to teach you everything but it will cost you much more than learning at home!

In the table below are the approximate costs of flight training for a Sport Pilot license when you achieve it in the FAA's minimum required time of 20 hours. These are the numbers quoted by most flight schools but rarely do flight students get their licenses in the minimum time!

A better estimate of the cost for a Sport Pilot license is to assume approximately 28 hours of flight time with the additional time being dual training. The additional flight time required for most students may add approximately $1000 to your total expenses. If you do not study, come prepared, and fly frequently, expect your costs to rise. Similarly, many flight schools quote the cost of a Private Pilot license based on the FAA minimum required flight time of 40 hours but the average flight time required is somewhere in the upper 60's.

What does a Private Pilot Course cost?

A typical Private Pilot Course will take 60 - 85 hours of training with the average being in the upper 60's.An average of 67 hours at $99 per hour will cost $6633. Similarly, an average student will need 80 - 85 hours of flight instructor time so instruction costs will beabout $3,600 to $3825.

How long will it take to become a pilot?

That depends on how often you fly. A serious and well-prepared student who flies 4 - 5 times a week can get a Sport Pilot certificate in 4 - 5 weeks or a Private Pilot certificate in 2 - 3 months depending on the weather.Apilot who flies only twice a week can typically earn a Sport Pilot certificate in about 2 - 3 months or a Private Pilot certificate in 5 - 6 months.

Borrowing Money for Flight Training

Many people spend much more money than they should because they take a lesson every time they can afford it, which may lead to longer breaks between lessons. It is better to save up enough to complete your training and then fly as frequently as possible. Atlanta Sport Flight, unlike most schools, does not recommend that you borrow money to pay for primary flight training because (1) you may find that you do not like flying or are not well suited to it and (2) there is still a LOT more training to accomplish after earning a private pilot certificate before you are qualified to get a piloting job. Borrowing money is more suitable for your commercial or instructing certificate but you must still be very careful. Many pilots have borrowed over $100,000 for college and flight training only to find themselves working for $20,000 per year!

Cost of Required Training

Sport Pilot (Minimum 20 hours)

Note: The FAA examiner and CATS testing center are paid directly by you and we have no control over your cost for the examinations.