{"id":1004280,"date":"2024-02-09T18:58:35","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T18:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/?p=1004280"},"modified":"2024-02-09T19:03:10","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T19:03:10","slug":"how-to-save-money-on-flight-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/how-to-save-money-on-flight-training\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Save Money on Flight training"},"content":{"rendered":"

How Much Does Flight Training Cost & How Long Does It Take?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"costJust as one shoe doesn\u2019t fit each foot, there isn\u2019t one set path or fixed cost for flight training. There are innumerable variables affecting the cost of a PPL, such as previous experience, diligent study habits (or lack thereof), type of aircraft (rental rate), big school vs. little school\u2026 Generally speaking, though, the longer it takes, the more it costs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Training Supplies <\/strong><\/td>\nCost<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kneeboard<\/td>\n$17-35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Headset<\/td>\n$150-1,200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plotter<\/td>\n$7-17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
E6B<\/td>\n$15-100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sectional<\/td>\n$9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total<\/strong><\/td>\n$200-1,250<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medical, Rental, Exam & Instruction Costs<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ground School<\/td>\n$300-800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instructor Fee<\/td>\n$45-150\/hr\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0(20hrs)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aircraft Rental<\/td>\n$100-300\/hr \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0(40hrs)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medical Cost<\/td>\n$175-395<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Written Exam<\/td>\n$165<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Check-ride<\/td>\n$600-1,200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total <\/strong><\/td>\n$6,000-17,560<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Combined Total <\/strong><\/td>\n$6,200- 18,810<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Estimated costs are based on the prices we\u2019ve encountered across the nation. The upper limit goes over $30k if you choose a very expensive plane and have poor study habits with the average total cost in 2022 being $13,455.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Training Supplies<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kneeboard<\/h5>\n

This is an optional, but highly recommended, tool. It is a clipboard that straps to your leg to provide a sturdy writing surface while flying. The cockpits are cramped\u2026there isn\u2019t a lot of desk space in there. It also ensures papers and checklists remain secure in one spot, versus falling by your feet in bumpy weather.<\/p>\n

Headset<\/h5>\n

\"studentWhile you can usually rent one from the flight school\u2014yuck, lice\u2014we recommend buying one (once you\u2019re certain flying is for you). You can purchase a cheap one off of Amazon, or an expensive one through an avionics shop. Either way, you\u2019ll get what you pay for.\u00a0 If you\u2019re on a budget, the David Clark brand has a variety of price points (probably offering one of the cheapest options). They have been worn by hundreds of thousands of pilots for decades, and they last a long time. Just know that budget headsets will most likely be passive noise reduction, potentially leading to hearing issues later down the line. If money is no object to you, and you want something comfortable with better audio to understand ATC\u2019s garble, go with Bose or Lightspeed. Bonus points: they employ active noise-canceling technology. Permanent hearing loss plagues over 30% of aviators\u2026just saying.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plotter<\/h5>\n

This map-plotting tool is essential. You will use it to plot cross-country routes near the halfway point of flight training.<\/p>\n

E6B<\/h5>\n

Another essential\u2014the E6B is a rather ingenious, ancient flight \u201ccomputer.\u201d The US Navy\u2019s Lt. Philip Dalton introduced it to the Army in the 1940s, and it\u2019s been in pilots\u2019 hands ever since. It is a paper or metal analog calculating device, used in course plotting and in-flight navigation adjustments. There are electronic versions out now, such as Sporty\u2019s Electronic E6B or ASA\u2019s CX-3.<\/p>\n

Sectional<\/h5>\n

The sectional is a must-have for students and private pilots alike. It is a paper map used for aerial navigation and flight planning. You can most likely find one for your area by stopping by the local airport.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Medical, Rental, Exams & Instruction<\/h3>\n

Aircraft Rental<\/h5>\n

The aircraft rental fee depends on the type of aircraft, its condition, type of avionics\/panel, plus the owner\u2019s operating costs. A \u201cwet\u201d rate (aircraft rental with fuel included) will vary based on local fuel prices.<\/p>\n

Instructor Fee<\/h5>\n

A CFI\u2019s hourly fee usually depends on their experience level and type of instruction (flight or ground). If they work for a flight school, the school sets an hourly rate for all instructors, regardless of experience.<\/p>\n

Ground School<\/h5>\n

Online ground school is cheaper than individual lessons with a CFI in person. With our online course, you can still ask questions through live support online (from real CFIs), plus rewatch videos as many times as you want. In-person, you\u2019ll hear the info once and then they move on. Online ground schools give you a chance to review topics at no extra charge.<\/p>\n

Medical Cost<\/h5>\n

The first-class medical generally costs more than a third class, but the pricing is set solely by the AME (aviation medical examiner; doctor). The FAA has nothing to do with it.<\/p>\n

Written Exam<\/h5>\n

You can make sure the cost for your written exam is a one-time expense and don’t need to retest. How do you ask? By utilizing our online ground school<\/a> and written test BootCamp. We guarantee that you will pass your exam or we will reimburse you for the cost of the exam.<\/p>\n

Checkride<\/h5>\n

The cost for your checkride is set by the DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner) and can range from $500 to as high as $1,000, which is reason enough to ensure you study not to fail. DPEs do not work for the FAA<\/span><\/span><\/span>, although they are authorized by the FAA.<\/p>\n

Flight Time<\/h5>\n

Airplanes \"studentare expensive classrooms. The average in-flight lesson runs about 1.5 hours. Let\u2019s say the aircraft rental fee is $140\/hour. Your CFI charges $50\/hour. That lesson is now costing $285. Would you want to spend that hour and a half staring blankly at your instructor, wishing you would\u2019ve studied prior? It sounds like a sure way to repeat a lesson, thereby spending double the money.\u00a0 This is why we emphasize ground study so much. If you do not study before a flight lesson, you can watch your hard-earned money burn right out of the exhaust. Trust us\u2014we\u2019ve been there.<\/p>\n

Calendar Time<\/h5>\n

You\u2019re a full-time loan officer at a local bank, pursuing a PPL in your spare time. The bank won\u2019t let you skip out of work to go fly (rude, right?), so you only take lessons on the weekends. And you\u2019re a busy parent\u2014so lessons are now twice a month. This sounds fine and all, but let\u2019s talk \u201ccurrency.\u201d Pilots, students, and professionals alike, have to fly semi-often to maintain currency and proficiency within a certain aircraft or skillset. If you take longer breaks between lessons, it\u2019s much harder to keep up your skills (and improve them) because you\u2019re constantly needing a refresher. This is why stretching PPL training over a long period (calendar time) will ultimately cost you more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How To Save Money On Your Flight Training<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Spend Time On The Ground, Not In The Air<\/h4>\n

While this may not sound appealing, I promise it\u2019s the best way.\u00a0 Let me explain. You can spend time on the ground studying (which costs little to nothing with our course), or you can spend a lot of time in the air with your instructor…who will be trying to explain things over engine noise and vibration to the tune of $200-400\/hr. By that logic, would you rather spend 1 hour of study on the ground and 5 hours being taught a maneuver in the air, or 5 hours studying on the ground, and 1 hour in the air? Confusion or preparation? I know which one I\u2019d choose.<\/p>\n

Pre- and Post\u2014Flight Briefs<\/h4>\n

Let\u2019s paint the picture: you show up to the airport starry-eyed and excited for your fourth training flight. Your CFI approaches you and says,\u00a0 you ready for a slow flight?\u201d Hold on\u2026what\u2019s a slow flight? \u201cYou didn\u2019t study at all? Ugh. Okay. Did you at least work on the radio calls that were weak last flight?\u201d My radio calls were weak last flight. This stuff would have been nice to know before today\u2019s lesson, right? That\u2019s where pre- and post-flight briefings come in.\u00a0 The upcoming tasks and goals for the day are addressed during the pre-flight brief. Once you\u2019re back on the ground, you and your CFI can assess your performance while reinforcing the main lessons of the flight (AKA the post-flight brief). Your CFI will also discuss what to study for the next lesson. DO NOT let your CFI take you flying without first briefing you on what to expect.\u00a0 DO NOT let your CFI end the lesson without thoroughly debriefing you on what you did well, what needs more work, and what you should study to prepare for the next lesson.<\/p>\n

The Right Instructor<\/h4>\n

The \u201cright instructor\u201d is someone who cares about you and your success. You will have a million questions during your flight training journey. But, if you have that instructor in your corner, you\u2019ve got an invaluable resource who will walk you through the process (and even tailor it towards your goals and learning style). Before we start getting into the negatives\u2026there are people 28 out there who love teaching, care about their students, and see the hours\/ pay as a mere bonus. The unfortunate truth, however, is the majority of CFIs out there are only using teaching as a way of survival\u2014both in terms of time building and income.\u00a0 It\u2019s pretty difficult to find a CFI who wants you to be the best pilot you can be (especially in the shortest time and lowest cost possible). This is because the longer it takes you to get through flight training, the more money you hand over to the CFI and school. If you save money, they are likely missing out on revenue. So\u2026how do you find an instructor who is invested in you and not the hours?<\/p>\n

Purchase A Plane<\/h4>\n

\"J-3Although the initial upfront costs of purchasing a plane<\/a> are higher compared to renting, it can save you money in the long run. If you intend on becoming a professional pilot you are going to have to spend a lot of hours building time and experience before reaching the required 250 hours for your commercial pilot’s license. By the time you complete your CPL you will have spent roughly $30k+ in just rental fees, which is enough to get you into a good trainer plane. You also go into a partnership with someone who has similar aviation goals as you and split the cost of ownership.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to Pay For Your Flight Training<\/h3>\n

<\/h4>\n

Save Up<\/h4>\n

If possible, save up the total cost of training (plus a contingency) before starting. This will take a bit longer. But, you\u2019ll waste far more time and money if you pay as it comes in! In any situation, taking out a loan is a serious thing to consider. However, if you are looking to pursue aviation as a career and get to the airlines fast, loans are a viable option. This will allow you to train full-time, which means retaining more knowledge and progressing quickly. Note that private flight schools are not usually tied to universities, which makes it nearly impossible to pull out a student loan.\u00a0 Large flight schools will most likely have a company they partner with for flight training loans, such as Sallie Mae or Wells Fargo. If they don\u2019t, look into AOPA Finance. These companies see your training as career- or trade-based, which gets you closer to student loan-style loans.<\/p>\n

Scholarships<\/h4>\n

Taking out a loan is a serious thing to consider. However, if you are looking to pursue aviation as a career and get to the airlines fast, loans are a viable option. This will allow you to train full-time, which means retaining more knowledge and progressing quickly. Note that private flight schools are not usually tied to universities, which makes it nearly impossible to pull out a student loan.\u00a0 Large flight schools will most likely have a company they partner with for flight training loans, such as Sallie Mae or Wells Fargo. AOPA Finance is another avenue available to you. These companies see your training as career- or trade-based, which gets you closer to that student loan style.<\/p>\n

Military Assistance<\/h4>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

Quick note: The Tuition Assistance Program will not cover flight training fees. However, it can be used with the GI Bill to cover fees outside of flight training (especially if pursuing a university program). The GI Bill offers tons of benefits for financial compensation. However, you must have a private pilot\u2019s license to qualify. The Department of Veterans Affairs states the following requirements must be met before using GI Bill benefits:<\/p>\n

\u2022Qualify for the Post-9\/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill, and<\/p>\n

\u2022You have a private pilot\u2019s license, and<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022A second-class medical certificate valid for second-class privileges\u2014or a first-class medical certificate if you want to pursue the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.<\/p>\n

The Silver Lining: You know how we just told you the GI Bill can only be used if you\u2019re an existing private pilot? Here\u2019s the loophole\u2014you can use the GI Bill to cover from Day Dot (zero time) if you attend a university\/college aviation program. Why? Because the flight training is lumped into your degree training! This option allows you to get a bachelor\u2019s and flight certificates\/ratings all in one. The GI Bill can be used in a vocational or degree program at a private college, university, or Part 141<\/a> private flight school. Consult Military One Source, the VA website, or the local base education office for more details.<\/p>\n

Work at a Flight School<\/h4>\n

This is a perfect option if you\u2019re also looking for a job! Most flight schools offer employee discounts on flight training fees (aircraft rental, instructor fees, etc.). You can work as a front desk attendant, dispatcher, line technician, airplane detailer, etc. Check your local flight schools to see if they offer this as an option!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How Much Does Flight Training Cost & How Long Does It Take? Just as one shoe doesn\u2019t fit each foot, there isn\u2019t one set path or fixed cost for flight training. There are innumerable variables affecting the cost of a PPL, such as previous experience, diligent study habits (or lack thereof), type of aircraft (rental rate), big school vs. little school\u2026 Generally speaking, though, the longer it takes, the more it costs.   Training Supplies Cost Kneeboard $17-35 Headset $150-1,200 Plotter $7-17 E6B $15-100 Sectional $9 Total $200-1,250 \u00a0 Medical, Rental, Exam & Instruction Costs Ground School $300-800 Instructor Fee $45-150\/hr\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0(20hrs) Aircraft Rental $100-300\/hr \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0(40hrs) Medical Cost $175-395 Written Exam $165 Check-ride $600-1,200 Total $6,000-17,560 Combined Total $6,200- 18,810 Estimated costs are based on the prices we\u2019ve encountered across the nation. The upper limit goes over $30k if you choose a very expensive plane and have poor study habits with the average total cost in 2022 being $13,455.   Training Supplies   Kneeboard This is an optional, but highly recommended, tool. It is a clipboard that straps to your leg to provide a sturdy writing surface while flying. The cockpits are cramped\u2026there isn\u2019t a lot of desk space in there. It also ensures papers and checklists remain secure in one spot, versus falling by your feet in bumpy weather. Headset While you can usually rent one from the flight school\u2014yuck, lice\u2014we recommend buying one (once you\u2019re certain flying is for you). You can purchase a cheap one off of Amazon, or an expensive one through an avionics shop. Either way, you\u2019ll get what you pay for.\u00a0 If you\u2019re on a budget, the David Clark brand has a variety of price points (probably offering one of the cheapest options). They have been worn by hundreds of thousands of pilots for decades, and they last a long time. Just know that budget headsets will most likely be passive noise reduction, potentially leading to hearing issues later down the line. If money is no object to you, and you want something comfortable with better audio to understand ATC\u2019s garble, go with Bose or Lightspeed. Bonus points: they employ active noise-canceling technology. Permanent hearing loss plagues over 30% of aviators\u2026just saying. Plotter This map-plotting tool is essential. You will use it to plot cross-country routes near the halfway point of flight training. E6B Another essential\u2014the E6B is a rather ingenious, ancient flight \u201ccomputer.\u201d The US Navy\u2019s Lt. Philip Dalton introduced it to the Army in the 1940s, and it\u2019s been in pilots\u2019 hands ever since. It is a paper or metal analog calculating device, used in course plotting and in-flight navigation adjustments. There are electronic versions out now, such as Sporty\u2019s Electronic E6B or ASA\u2019s CX-3. Sectional The sectional is a must-have for students and private pilots alike. It is a paper map used for aerial navigation and flight planning. You can most likely find one for your area by stopping by the local airport.   Medical, Rental, Exams & Instruction Aircraft Rental The aircraft rental fee depends on the type of aircraft, its condition, type of avionics\/panel, plus the owner\u2019s operating costs. A \u201cwet\u201d rate (aircraft rental with fuel included) will vary based on local fuel prices. Instructor Fee A CFI\u2019s hourly fee usually depends on their experience level and type of instruction (flight or ground). If they work for a flight school, the school sets an hourly rate for all instructors, regardless of experience. Ground School Online ground school is cheaper than individual lessons with a CFI in person. With our online course, you can still ask questions through live support online (from real CFIs), plus rewatch videos as many times as you want. In-person, you\u2019ll hear the info once and then they move on. Online ground schools give you a chance to review topics at no extra charge. Medical Cost The first-class medical generally costs more than a third class, but the pricing is set solely by the AME (aviation medical examiner; doctor). The FAA has nothing to do with it. Written Exam You can make sure the cost for your written exam is a one-time expense and don’t need to retest. How do you ask? By utilizing our online ground school and written test BootCamp. We guarantee that you will pass your exam or we will reimburse you for the cost of the exam. Checkride The cost for your checkride is set by the DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner) and can range from $500 to as high as $1,000, which is reason enough to ensure you study not to fail. DPEs do not work for the FAA, although they are authorized by the FAA. Flight Time Airplanes are expensive classrooms. The average in-flight lesson runs about 1.5 hours. Let\u2019s say the aircraft rental fee is $140\/hour. Your CFI charges $50\/hour. That lesson is now costing $285. Would you want to spend that hour and a half staring blankly at your instructor, wishing you would\u2019ve studied prior? It sounds like a sure way to repeat a lesson, thereby spending double the money.\u00a0 This is why we emphasize ground study so much. If you do not study before a flight lesson, you can watch your hard-earned money burn right out of the exhaust. Trust us\u2014we\u2019ve been there. Calendar Time You\u2019re a full-time loan officer at a local bank, pursuing a PPL in your spare time. The bank won\u2019t let you skip out of work to go fly (rude, right?), so you only take lessons on the weekends. And you\u2019re a busy parent\u2014so lessons are now twice a month. This sounds fine and all, but let\u2019s talk \u201ccurrency.\u201d Pilots, students, and professionals alike, have to fly semi-often to maintain currency and proficiency within a certain aircraft or skillset. If you take longer breaks between lessons, it\u2019s much harder to keep up your skills (and improve them) because you\u2019re constantly needing a refresher. This is why stretching PPL training over a long period (calendar time) will ultimately cost you more.   How To<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1004236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[108,1000169,1000170,140,67,1000174,48,1000168,68],"class_list":["post-1004280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flight-training","tag-commercial-pilot","tag-flight-school","tag-flight-training","tag-instrument-pilot","tag-private-pilot","tag-private-pilot-costs","tag-private-pilot-license-cost","tag-student-pilot","tag-training-cost"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1004280"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004280\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1004302,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1004280\/revisions\/1004302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1004236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1004280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1004280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fly8ma.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1004280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}