Where to start?

Since i just obtained my PPL, I can tell you my costs:
1. cessna/king schools CD ROM ground school stuff $350
2. 72 hours total time to get PPL
3. 2005-2007 Cessna 172SP's with nav 2 setup: $122/hour
4. Instructor: $45/hour
5. FAA check ride $400 (part 141 school with in-house checkride person)
6. FAA written test $100
7. Medical exam $85 (i was comped on this since i am also a physician, but that was the cash price).
9. Headset (I recommend this once you are sure): $280
10. Knee board $12
11. FAA exam questions study book: $25
12. charts for solo/local area etc $16
13. wire frame sunglasses: $60 at costco ('cause the plastic frame ones i had killed under the headset)
14. 18 miles one-way to the local FBO at an average of $3/gallon in a honda civic getting 30mpg x I forget how many times i went there, but it was a lot.
......
........total cost about $14,000.00

Millville FBO is a Cessna curriculum. Definitely more expensive than my original training. $130/hour c-172, $45/hour instructer. $175 x 40 hrs. = $7000. Thats if I can do it in 40. And doesn't include any of the other costs. :banghead:

Question to all....

How many hours did it take to get your PPL?? Just trying to get an average.
 
Millville FBO is a Cessna curriculum. Definitely more expensive than my original training. $130/hour c-172, $45/hour instructer. $175 x 40 hrs. = $7000. Thats if I can do it in 40. And doesn't include any of the other costs. :banghead:

Question to all....

How many hours did it take to get your PPL?? Just trying to get an average.

My PPL took 80hrs dual given, not counting all the ground school and studying. It was also at a 4-year university and Part 141 Flight School. 80hrs was average for that school, but above average compared to the rest of the nation.
 
I wouldn't plan on doing it in 40, no matter how well you do everything. I've gone through everything very fast, and it looked like I was going to get to do it in 40 hours. Then I got signed off for solos. After which I've spent several hours just flying around for fun. I also fell in love with night flying and kept doing it with my CFI long after I met the requirement. There were also a few times where I took friends up in the back and showed them around, not really accomplishing anything. Now it looks like I'll do it in 55-60.

In short, if you want to have fun with your flight training, you're probably going to do things other than whats "required", and pick up enough time to where you realize a 40 hour private just isn't going to happen. That is, if you are in the position to do it in 40 hours in the first place. The only people I've seen get that done were people who had been flying since they were kids in their parents plane, and obviously had a lot of unlogged stick time. That being said, it is by no means unattainable for someone who hasn't flown before.

As far as how long it takes on average, just at my school alone I've seen it all. One kid who was flying around in daddy's Cardinal since he was 6 did it in 40. A friend of mine didn't even solo until he had more time than I will likely have when I earn my private, the whole process took him about 100 hours. And then there is the woman who built up 350 hours before she got her PPL because she was so nervous of the written. It all depends.
 
62hrs in a 52!! Below is the flight and instruction breakdown. I spent another 2K on Medical, TSA clearance, Checkride fee, books, charts etc right down to pencils for my kneeboard!! Can be done for cheaper but this is good for the boston area.
Ground instruction included part 141 stage checks etc.


<TABLE style="WIDTH: 363pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=484 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 140pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 6838" width=187><COL style="WIDTH: 82pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3986" span=2 width=109><COL style="WIDTH: 59pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2889" width=79><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 140pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #99cc00" width=187 height=17>Private Pilot License</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 82pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #99cc00" width=109></TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; WIDTH: 82pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #99cc00" width=109></TD><TD class=xl31 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; WIDTH: 59pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=79 x:num="233.1"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #99cc00" height=17>Resourse</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #99cc00">Cost per hour</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #99cc00">Total Hours</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: red" x:num="61.9" x:fmla="=C3+C4+C5+C6">61.90 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Cessna 152</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="87">$ 87.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="56.3" x:fmla="=7.8+2.3+2.6+2.8+0.6+1.4+1.4+1+1.6+2.6+1.1+1.4+3+3.9+2.7+3.2+1+2.7+1+2.7+0.7+2.2+1.1+2.1+2.1+1.3">56.30 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="4898.1" x:fmla="=C3*B3">$ 4,898.10 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Cessna 172S</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="124">$ 124.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="1.2">1.20 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="148.8" x:fmla="=B4*C4">$ 148.80 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Cessna 172</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="103">$ 103.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="3.2">3.20 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="329.6" x:fmla="=B5*C5">$ 329.60 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Citabria Super Decathalon</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="154">$ 154.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="1.2">1.20 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="184.8" x:fmla="=C6*B6">$ 184.80 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Fuel Surcharge</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6">$ 6.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="47.7" x:fmla="=2.3+7.8+2.6+2.8+1.4+1.4+1+1.6+2.6+1.1+1.4+3+3.9+2.7+3.2+1+2.7+1+0.7+2.2+1.3">47.70 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="308.2" x:fmla="=C7*B7+10+12">$ 308.20 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Dual Instruction</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="48">$ 48.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="40.3" x:fmla="=2.3+7.8+2.6+2.8+1.2+1.4+1.4+1+1.6+2.6+1.1+1.4+3+2.7+3.2+1+3.2">40.30 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="1934.4" x:fmla="=C8*B8">$ 1,934.40 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Dual Instruction (new rate)</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="55">$ 55.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6.4" x:fmla="=2.2+2.1+2.1">6.40 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="352" x:fmla="=C9*B9">$ 352.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Ground Instruction</TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="48">$ 48.00 </TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6.7" x:fmla="=0.4+3.6+0.4+1+0.5+0.8">6.70 </TD><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="321.6" x:fmla="=C10*B10">$ 321.60 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Total Flight and instruction only</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl27 title="Big Grin" style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="8477.5" x:fmla="=SUM(D3:D$ 8,477.50 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>



</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="148" x:fmla="=B3+B7+B9">


</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
Don't rush it. If your goal is to be a commercial pilot, you will have to build hours some way. Once you get your solo endorsement dont do just the minimum XC's, do a few extra, it all counts towards PIC and any 50nm XC as PIC is applicable to all the ratings.
 
A ruff pricing breakdown: Anchorage, AK

part 61
40.4 hrs TT
30.4 dual, 10 solo
$7763.95 including a $98.00 class 3 medical, $90 for written test, $350.00 check ride, and 100 for all books.

Flew a c150 for $160 dual instruction 120 solo. I did try to fly 3 times a week, weather permitting.

I wanted to get done quick to beat summer rush and enjoy AK flying then.

It seems to be way cheaper to to go FBO route and if speed is a priority, one could tear through it quite fast (pending CFI's schedule). I feel its all up to the student and how fast/well they catch on.

Good luck.
 
Here's a rough estimate of how much I paid for my private:

About 52 Hours in a 152 @ ~87hr = 4524
About 38 hours instruction (including ground) @ 35/hr = 1330
Medical 1st class = 100
Written exam = 95
Checkride = 300
Supplies, gas to get there, bribe for the check airman :sarcasm:, other = 300

Total = 6649

I tried to do it for as little $$ as possible...looking back now, it came out to be a little more expensive than I planned for, but its all good. :rawk:
 
If your credit is so good to get pre-approved for $80k, then spend $20,000 on a used certified aircraft and don't worry- many CFI's will make you a hell of a package deal to get enough time built up to go through all your ratings- then you can still sell the airplane when you're done!
Thataway you're only paying gas and maintenance and insurance.
Good luck, man!
 
I got it wrong, which isn't unusual- it's 3 weeks in Kansas & $5,200 bid on eBay
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Once again I am impressed by the amount of sound advice from this forum... I have always been one to do my homework on big decisions, and I couldn't be more pleased with the amount of feedback I've recieved here. Cheers everyone! :hiya:
 
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