How much does it cost to get a license?
The most common question prospective students ask is “How much does it cost?”. The answer cannot be answered with a simple number. The best answer is to outline the FAA minimum requirements.
Total Time: 40 hours minimum which consists of at least:
Dual: 20 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:
1. 3 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane;
2. 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least:
a) 1 cross country flight of over 100 nm total distance; and
b) 10 T/O’s and 10 landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.
3. 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and
4. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test.
Solo: 10 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:
1. 5 hours of solo cross country flying;
2. 1 solo cross country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings; and
3. 3 T/O’s and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.
Very very few students manage to get this all done in 40 hours. Most commonly, it takes about 55 hours. If you use N6527J this would cost about $5000 in flight time. Additionally you need to pay a CFI for at least 20 hours. You will probably want to pay him/her for a few more hours while you practice some of the maneuvers. So, lets say about 25 hours of Instructor time. That is about an additional $1200. You also have to either attend a ground school, or use one of the many self study ground school courses available. There are also a few supplies you will need, e.g. a headset, books. These extras and a self study course will cost you at least another $600. So a rough estimate is about $7000. Using a classroom style ground school will cost considerably more.