| One thing I always tried to do was be straight forward | | | | There are a number of things that are not listed in the |
| with students, telling them exactly what they were | | | | above cost estimate. The first thing is the additional |
| going to spend on their private pilot training. I also want | | | | dual instruction that is probably in the flight schools |
| to make sure they understand if they don't stick with | | | | syllabus. This should be somewhere around 10 hours |
| their training, the more it is going to cost them. | | | | so there is an additional hidden cost of $1,460 to the |
| The National average for the private pilot training | | | | above cost estimate that the flight school has not told |
| process is around 65 hours, you will want tokeep this in | | | | you about. |
| mind. If you dig into the flight training syllabus at flight | | | | In addition to this extra flight instruction there are other |
| schools, most private pilot syllabuses are between 45 | | | | things such as books, pilot supplies and headsets that |
| and 55 hours. The FAA requires many things that | | | | you will need to purchase. Many flight schools will not |
| need to be covered for your Private Pilot License. | | | | include the examiner fee for the flight test. Depending |
| Planning on at least 30 hours of dual instruction is a | | | | on the part of the country you are in, this fee could be |
| good estimate if you want to be a safe pilot. | | | | as much as $400. |
| Most of the schools will be honest about it if you start | | | | So the first thing you want to do is research what the |
| asking the right questions. You will want to remember | | | | private pilot license will actually cost you at a local flight |
| that the number of hous listed in the flight schools | | | | school. You will want to understand the process of |
| syllabus will not be used for the cost estimate, they will | | | | your Private Pilot License, so the first thing you will |
| use the unrealistic hour requirements put out by the | | | | want to do is plan the process out before you start |
| FAA. There are a lot of flight schools competing for | | | | flying. Flying is very expensive and if you make a |
| the decreasing number of students so the cost | | | | mistake planning the process out, you could end up |
| estimates in many cases will be the bare minimum and | | | | spending $2,000 more that you expected. If you are |
| will not be realistic. | | | | on a limited budget, this could make the difference |
| Below I have listed what a cost estimate from a flight | | | | between becoming a licensed pilot and someone who |
| school will look like: | | | | is part way through their training. |
| 20 Hours Dual Flight Instruction $2,920.00 | | | | Once you start your private pilot training, don't let |
| 20 Hours of Solo Flight $1,920.00 | | | | anything get in your way. This is the most cost |
| Total $4,840.00 | | | | effective way to keep the cost down on your private |
| In a lot of cases this will be it. Most Flight schools will | | | | pilot license training. Driving and learning to fly are not |
| try and be a little moreaccurate with thier cost | | | | the same, you will want to remember this. To Be a |
| estimates. But in general they all will stay very | | | | safe and confident pilot, you will need to be proficient |
| competitive. Since flight training is veryexpensive, the | | | | at all the maneuvers listed in the practical test |
| flight schools will keep their cost outlines as competitive | | | | standards. The quicker you can complete your private |
| as possible. | | | | pilot training the better. |