Private Pilots License

ChasenSFO said:
Ok, just looking at the private here since this is what you asked about.


Really? $200? Headset, sectional and terminal(depending on where you live) charts every 6 months, AFD, E6B, Plotter, Knee board, flight bag, flight plan logs, and a fuel strainer all for $200? I think they're down-playing some of the costs so I'd be careful, there's probably stuff you'll need to buy that I forgot to mention as well.
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I asked for a rough estimate so they replied with the following:

Chris,

I am sending you a 'rough' estimate of the total amount of money you should be spending for a Private Pilot Certificate. This is based upon only receiving 40. I recommend that you average about 50 hours until you complete. If you do have a time limit we can be of great assistance for you. Any other questions or concerns please give us a call at (703)361-0575. Have a Wonderful Snow Day!
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So you may very well be right SFO.
 
I got my PPL right at the 45 hour mark. All said and done I think I spent in the area of $12k. Hindsight being 20-20, I really didn't need to finish the last 30 hours of it in an SR20....but it was definitely BA!
 
titansox said:
Hehe I emailed them all last night. Got 2 responses so far.
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I instructed at Manassas Aviation. Its a good place to instruct because of the Marine students, so you dont have to fight over civilian students and people who dont have money. But as a student, I wouldnt recommend it.

I get an email once a week from Aviation Adventures about someone passing a checkride of some sort. The planes are a bit newer and have some better goodies. They even have a C152 for real cheap if you want to go that way, its all you need for a PPL.
 
ChasenSFO said:
Really? $200? Headset, sectional and terminal(depending on where you live) charts every 6 months, AFD, E6B, Plotter, Knee board, flight bag, flight plan logs, and a fuel strainer all for $200? I think they're down-playing some of the costs so I'd be careful, there's probably stuff you'll need to buy that I forgot to mention as well.
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I would agree those costs are overly optimistic. A good headset alone will run you at least $200. The Dave Clark 13.4's are a safe choice if you don't know what you want. As for the supplies - you don't really need to go overboard. You don't need a flight bag. Until you solo, don't worry so much about studying with current charts (old ones work fine too). If you insist on a kneeboard, a steno-sized clipboard from Walmart works fine.

If you are good at studying, you don't really need a ground school either. Study all of the FAA books and have a CFI sign you off when you are ready for the test.

Highly unlikely you will finish in 40 hours. Plan on 60. Mine was at about 52 hours. Any extra time you need probably will not be solo, so plan on all of it being with an instructor.
 
I'm in the process of getting my license and to date i have 45 hours and have spent $7000. Realistically $600 is on the lower end for a headset, flight bag, charts, FAR/AIM, Flashlight, Fuel Tester, Kneeboard, etc.

I'm in LA so its a little more here.
 
ChasenSFO said:
Holy crap, what do you guys pay for rental? I have to dish out $135/wet for the 172R, if its booked its $155/wet for the 172S models. CFI is $55/hour. People elsewhere pay $70? I almost wish I just non-reved to Kansas or something and flew there.
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Man that's bs. I pay $110 for 1999 wet 172R (fuel injected, 180hp) with GPS and the works.

I did mine in a 152, though. Rate I got here at LGB was $90/hour with $40/hour instructor.
 
Many of you suggested reading ahead. I have nothing to do the next week. You guys have any suggestions?
 
titansox said:
Many of you suggested reading ahead. I have nothing to do the next week. You guys have any suggestions?
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The links I posted earlier should keep you busy for at least a week:

http://www.faa.gov/Library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/

http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/AIM/

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/PCG/

There are free practice tests at www.sportys.com , after you read all of these, try taking some of those. Once you are scoring above 85%, you should be ready for the written exam.
 
titansox said:
Many of you suggested reading ahead. I have nothing to do the next week. You guys have any suggestions?
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drunkenbeagle said:
I would get the Airplane Flying Handbook and the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, PDF, from the FAA, for free. For over the $8 for a copy of the FAR/AIM too. Study these inside out.

http://www.faa.gov/Library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/

$8,000 is probably typical right now. I spent a lot less, but it was also in a $38/hour 152 10 years ago.

Also, book an appointment with an AME and get your Class III medical now. No point spending money on training if you don't pass a medical later.
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Start on those since their free. I'd also recommend the King Schools Private Pilot Knowledge Test Course. The videos they have do a great job explaining most of the stuff for the written.

http://www.kingschools.com/courses/private-pilot/faa-exam-training.asp
 
Also, if you want to spend a little more money, buy the Rod Machado Private Pilot Handbook. I used it for my private and it was a fantastic resource. The humor can be, well, incredibly lame, but Rod does have a way in making every concept very easy to understand. :)
 
Part 141 school outside of denver:
$122/hour for cessna 172sp
$50/hour for instructor
$270 for this headset: http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilot...urce=google&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=base

--found a lowest price, played two internet suppliers off each other and worth every penny

The school used the King schools cessna program and it cost around $300

Various doo-dads along the way (knee board, sunglasses that fit under a headset, etc): $200

total cost: $14,000
 
Rudabega said:
I have finished students at 5500 being the lowest, 8000 being the highest. Do your ground school first and it will be cheaper.

PPL at the bare min's

172 @ $70 /hr wet 40 hrs $2800 Good luck find another 172 at our rate, find a 152.
CFI @ $40 /hr hobbs 20 hrs $800
Examiner $350
Books $300 Craigslist has them cheaper from time to time
Written $90
Medical $100

Total $4440

Spoonfeeding you ground school because you do not want to read the book or are to lazy. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Very few people ever finish at 40 hours.
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IF there is a 152 for that rate, sign me up! Cheapest here for a 152 is 98$/1hr.
 
Roughly... between 5K and_______ Ks (fill in the blank)

Depends on a few variables:

For example, (and only to name a few...), Your commitment; drive; consistency; skills; weather; airplane availability; money; health; alignment of Saturn with Pluto.... you get the picture...

I've met pilots that did it with $4500, and others that spent 12K and never soloed.

I spent around $7500 on mine but, if you got the picture, it means nothing...
 
My PPL cost about $3000-$3500

C152 - $45 / hr
CFI - $18 / hr
Examiner's Fee - about $150
Books / Supplies / Medical

1994-1996
 
I would agree those sound very optimistic. The fact that they use 20 hours of instruction and 20 hours solo and figure that will work to me is just odd. I would suspect less than 10 percent of their students will finish within 500 dollars of their quoted amount.
 
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