Making your Dreams Take Flight is Worth the Investment.
What Does It Cost to Become a Pilot?
Yes, flight training is an investment. But unlike buying a car, a boat, or another toy that depreciates over time, you're investing in a skill you'll carry for the rest of your life. Less than 0.01% of the world's population ever becomes a pilot. You're not just purchasing flight lessons— you're earning a freedom that few people ever get to experience.
The Truth About Cost
The real truth about the cost to become a pilot is that it entirely depends on you! Because you pay for training with an instructor and for renting the airplane, the single biggest factor in how much training will cost is how quickly you are able to learn.
Many students make the mistake of simply looking for the cheapest rates or the shiniest advertising when evaluating flight schools, but the reality is that nothing impacts how much you will spend more than how effective your instructor is at learning you as an individual and truly helping you towards success.
While I can’t give you a simple number to tell you what your training will cost, below you will find some examples of what total cost is for an exceptional learner, an average learner, and then someone who needs more time to get things down.
Personally, I received my Private Pilot License after 42 total hours while working full-time, but the national average for students is between 60-70 total hours.
Example Costs for Private Pilot License
Examples assume Airplane Rental rate of $200/hr and Instructor Rate of $75/hr.
Exceptional Learner
45 Hours Total
$12,625
25 Hours with an Instructor - $6,875
20 Hours Solo - $4,000
Student Pilot Supplies - $250
Ground School - $300
Written Test Fee - $200
Checkride Exam Fee - $1,000
Average Learner
65 Hours Total
$17,750
40 Hours with an Instructor - $11,000
25 Hours Solo - $5,000
Student Pilot Supplies - $250
Ground School - $300
Written Test Fee - $200
Checkride Exam Fee - $1,000
Longer Learner
85 Hours Total
$23,375
55 Hours with an Instructor - $15,125
30 Hours Solo - $6,000
Student Pilot Supplies - $250
Ground School - $300
Written Test Fee - $200
Checkride Exam Fee - $1,000