| Flight training to become a pilot is not cheap but it is not | | | | money for flight time. Just when you think, you have |
| an exorbitant price either when you stop and think of | | | | done it all and paid for it all the unforeseen pops up. |
| what its going to give you. All too often, when an | | | | It is the responsibility of the training school to give you |
| individual is planning to take some type of course, they | | | | everything you need to obtain your license but it is |
| do not look at the overall picture. They find out what | | | | your responsibility to ensure that you have completed |
| the tuition fee is going to be but forget about all the | | | | all those requirements. Before you can even venture |
| incidentals. If you do this with your flight-training course, | | | | out to cross country solos you must have completed |
| you could end up sorely disappointed. To the point | | | | all of the necessary requirements such as various |
| where you cannot complete your course because, | | | | takeoffs and landings, instrument training and |
| you have run out of finances. The tuition gives you a | | | | navigation. |
| minimum of what you can expect to pay but quite | | | | Even if you have made it through this first segment of |
| often, it arises above that. For example, you may | | | | your instruction at pretty close to the cost that you |
| require or want extra flight time. These are going to | | | | counted on, you still need to plan for the remainder of |
| cost extra, the same as your books and reading | | | | instruction. It is a good idea to perhaps plan of an extra |
| materials for example. | | | | $1,000-$2,000 above the tuition. This way you have the |
| At all times you must keep yourself aware of exactly | | | | flexibility to pay for the possible hidden costs that could |
| what the FAA requirements are and ensure that you | | | | surface, or even buy extra flying time if you feel you |
| meet those demands. For example, you may need | | | | need some extra experience. |
| three hours on instrument training, but somewhere | | | | Talk to other licensed private pilots who have |
| along the way, you are ½ hour short. This will not | | | | graduated recently. They will give you a good idea of |
| be something the FAA examiner will overlook. You are | | | | the overall costs, and can perhaps recommend some |
| then in for a big disappointment. Watch every | | | | good flight training schools as well. If you are sure to |
| requirement carefully and make sure that prior to any | | | | be financially stable during your training then it means |
| testing you have the proper hours completed. | | | | less stress and allows you to concentrate on what |
| Nighttime flying is another area that often is forgotten | | | | you are learning. Most often if a would be private pilot |
| about when attaining the required hours. The next thing | | | | runs out of money before successful completion they |
| you know you get a call from your school telling you | | | | give up on their purpose of obtaining a license. This |
| that you are short hours and have to make them up | | | | means all of the money they did invest into their |
| or you will not qualify for your test. This means extra | | | | training is of no value. |