Whether you plan to fly for fun or as a profession, there really isn’t anything as exhilarating as being in command of your own airplane. Simply put, flight training is fun, challenging, and yes… expensive. But don’t run to the hills just yet! The costs of taking on flight school isn’t necessarily a fixed reality and there are several ways to approach training from a financial standpoint. The cost of flight training really boils down to two main questions: what do you hope to do with your license and at what type of school do you hope to complete your training?
License Options
There are three common types of pilot licenses. Each requiring varying degrees of flight training, proficiency, and experience requirements. Let’s talk about the most common ones:
Private Pilot License (PPL): $8,000 – $11,000
This is the most commonly sought license and allows you to fly most single-engine planes as well as take passengers. Its perfect for the weekend hobby pilot or for someone who would like to own their own personal plane for leisure. This license is the fundamental starting point for future licenses and is what someone usually means when they say “they got their pilot license”. The biggest hinderance of this certification is that you are not allowed to be compensated for your flying. It is essentially the aviation equivalent of a basic driver’s licenses. Some of the requirements to obtain the PPL, include:
• be at least 17 years of age
• be able to read, understand, and speak English proficiently
• obtain at least a Third Class Medical Certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
• have logged at least 40 hours of flight experience
• pass the FAA written test, and
• pass an FAA oral and practical exam known as the “Checkride”
Commercial Pilot License (CPL): $40,000 – $90,000
If you’re hoping to get a job with your new pilot certificate, this is going to push you higher into the training dollars. The Commercial Pilot License is the most basic employable pilot license. Training for this certification, from no prior experience, typically takes a year if completing the course full-time. The costs for this license are highly variable based on how you complete the course. Read more about Part 61 and Part 141 below. Those holding the commercial license will usually work as charter pilots, flight instructors, fly for small cargo companies, aerial tours, banner tow, land survey, or even crop dust. Do understand; however, that this license is not the same as the Airline Transport License (ATP), so you’ll need to have that before applying to Delta or American Airlines. More on that later. In order to obtain the CPL, you must:
• be at least 18 years of age
• Already hold a Private Pilot Licenses
• possess a Second Class Medical Certificate
• have logged a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, and
• Pass the FAA written, oral, and practical exams
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
The dream of flying at Hawaiian Airlines, or any airline for that matter, is the key of the ATP license. This is the highest license you can achieve in flight training. Costs associated with the Airline Transport Pilot License are usually all included up to the Commercial pilot level. Because most pilots will usually go on to obtain employment, the flight experience they gather in these jobs will typically work to satisfy the requirements of the ATP. All training past the Commercial pilot level is usually conducted at a specific airline and is generally specific to aircraft type. The ATP requirements include:
• Be at least 23 year of age, (21 with certain restrictions)
• Hold a Commercial Pilot License
• Possess a First Class Medical Certificate
• Have logged a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time, and
• Pass the FAA written, oral, and practical exams
Types of Flight Schools – Part 141 & Part 61
One of biggest influencers of training cost is how, or under what regulations, the training is conducted. The two types of training schools are Part 141 and Part 61, with regard to where the training regulations can be found in federal rule making. The biggest difference in these two types of schools is the instructional setting, difference in syllabus, and facilities of the school. For example, where Part 141 are generally more associated with colleges and university programs, Part 61 is much more flexible and allows students to achieve training standards much to their own pace. This allows students to spend time with an instructor as needed to achieve necessary requirements. This option often results in much cheaper training overall and is a pay as you go type arrangement. Most 141 schools require immediate, upfront financial securities, deposits, or loan approvals before training can begin.
Cost of Each Flight Lesson
When calculating roughly how much an individual lesson will cost, there are two factors to consider. These are:
• Aircraft Rental: This price can fluctuate based on the type of aircraft you conduct flight operations in. Billing is usually aggregated based on how long the aircraft engine is running and is typically charged as a “Wet” rental fee, meaning that the cost of fuel is built into the hourly rental rate. In general, typical aircraft rental fee prices range between $109.00 to $170.00 per operating hour.
• Flight Instruction: This is also charged by the hour and also differs greatly from school to school. You can expect to pay at least $45.00/hr for most Part 61 instructors; however, Part 141 generally bill much higher than that typically in the $70.00 range. Most instructors will charge a cumulative one-hour for briefing and debrief sessions per lesson in addition to whatever time was spent in the aircraft. Most lessons from start to finish are 2 hours.
Flight training is rewarding, and yes… expensive too, but don’t let it stop you. Every pilot has gone through the struggle and it’s a badge we all where with pride. There are tons of ways to fund flight school whether it be taking out a loan, a military GI Bill, aviation scholarships, or just paying as you go like I did. Regardless of your approach one thing is for certain:
Life is too short not to live your dream!
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