Financial Cost ($)
Private Pilot Certificate Possible Cost
| Description of Item | FAA “Minimum” Program – 40 Hours | 50-Hour “Mind in the Game” Program* | 65+ Hour “Part Timer” Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price of Aircraft Rental ** 40 hours / 50 hours / 65 hours | $6,000 | $6,345 | $9,262.50 |
| Flight Instruction with a CFI 20 hours / 37 hours / 45 hours | $1,300 | $2,164.50 | $2,778.75 |
| Ground Instruction (Pre & Post Flight) 10 hours / 12 hours / 35 hours | $650 | $702 | $2,161.25 |
| Books / Supplies *** | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Ground School | See Notes | See Notes | See Notes |
| FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| FAA Knowledge Test | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| FAA Practical Test – “Checkride” | $450 | $450 | $450 |
| Total Estimated Price | $8,900.00 | $10,161.50 | $15,152.50 |
The 40-Hour column is the minimum required by the FAA to earn the certificate, and what is always quoted at flight schools across the country.
The 50-Hour “Mind in the Game” Program is specific only to Learn 2 Fly CT. We will tell you what YOU need to do so that you can complete your training and earn your Private Pilot Certificate in the shortest amount of time, and at the lowest cost to you. More details about this program are listed below.
The 65-Hour column is based on the national average (actually between 60-75 hours of flight time) a student accumulates across the United States prior to earning their Private Pilot Certificate. What we call the “part time” program.
We want you to make an informed decision and know the cost of training prior to beginning. As far as we know we are the only school sharing this information, showing the low price VS the higher cost of training, and offering a special Block Rate to earn YOUR Certificate at a lower cost to you…with more money available for renting a plane once the Certificate is in your flight bag!
Please note: Everyone’s training will be different and could result in a higher or a lower cost overall.
***Books / Supplies options vary and can increase or decrease the price shown.
Ground School options vary greatly, from an online Ground School costing approximately $180, to a “Traditional Ground School” (in-person) with varying prices across the country. We hold a FREE Private Pilot Ground School to our students where you only have to purchase the books and supplies for the class. Approximate cost for the materials is $165. Contact us to find out when our next class starts!
We have had students complete their Private Pilot Certificate at a total cost of $7,000, in a total amount of flight time of roughly 47 hours and in a 6-month period of time. This occurred when we had a Cessna 152 and a Cessna 150 available for training. These aircraft are relatively less expensive to operate and insure, as such the rental rates were less expensive and resulted in a lower overall cost for their training program.
**We offer different pricing options to our Students and Pilots. We offer a Standard Rate, which can be found at any flight school across the country. We also offer a Block Rate to people that put cash or check on account with the school, over $500. This Block Rate is a 5% savings compared to the Standard Rate and is applicable to our CFI Rates and applicable aircraft.
* “Mind in the Game” Program details: This program is offered at a 10% Block Discount, compared to our Standard Rates.
Please Note: Block Rates are for clients that put cash or check on account with Learn 2 Fly CT. Clients looking to qualify for the Block Discount can use a credit/debit card to put money on their account but there is a 3.5% fee associated with using a credit/debit card.