Zero to Hero: How much it cost me

Bernoulli Fan

Bernoulli Fan

Controller
In case it can benefit anyone, here is how I went from zero time to Comm ASEL/AMEL, IRA, CFI/II:

Private: Part 61 FBO, Sheridan, WY
Instrument: Part 61 FBO, Pacoima, CA
Comm ASEL: Part 61 FBO, Pacoima, CA
Comm AMEL: Part 61 FBO, Van Nuys, CA
CFI/II: American Flyers, Santa Monica, CA

Total time: 1 year, 10 months
Total cost: $39,154.41

I never used the sim for anything, and I accomplished all the ratings with pretty close to the minimum required times. However, I did do most of my training in the expensive Los Angeles area. Conclusion: ATP is overpriced. Take your time and enjoy it.

I'm not saying what I did is perfect for everyone, just food for thought. Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Have fun out there.
 
Nice job!

I should be right around $45k if I add up zero to hero cost. My number includes everything from check rides to books and charts and headset, medical, etc. So truly every possible cost.

Right now I'm working on CMEL and then I'll do all three CFI's. I'm at $29k and projecting out I will be around $45k for everything. My extra cost is mostly from getting the MEI (appears you did not get this yet). Oh, and not to mention all that extra stuff I added in. I'm at 7 months now. So my total time from to complete the CMEL, CFI, CFII, and MEI should bring me to a total of 10-11 months.

So I concur. Many other programs are overpriced. I did all my ratings in new DA20's, DA40's with G1000, and the DA42 Twinstar (not the cheapest planes around, but fun to fly and that's worth something). For example, my multi will cost me around $6k to $7k; although I can do it in a Seminole for half that cost if I chose too! So in reality, I could actually come in around $40k by doing the CMEL and MEI in the Seminole instead of the DA42.

And while I do think ATP is probably not the best choice from things I heard from people who been there recently, I have not gone there myself so I can't say really if they are a good or bad program for the value the offer. I do think their price may be okay though. After all, they do get you through quickly and for a full time student time is money (after all, those students are not working). And ATP does include housing costs too in their program. So that is worth something and is built into their cost structure. So overall, they offer a reasonable package for the right person.

But I do agree. You seem to have probably worked as your pursued your ratings and by doing so saved a lot of money. And for your situation, clearly done things in a way that best fit you. I did similar to you, as it was also best for me. ATP, along with many other schools, were not best for my situation either.
 
Bernoulli Fan said:
In case it can benefit anyone, here is how I went from zero time to Comm ASEL/AMEL, IRA, CFI/II:

Private: Part 61 FBO, Sheridan, WY
Instrument: Part 61 FBO, Pacoima, CA
Comm ASEL: Part 61 FBO, Pacoima, CA
Comm AMEL: Part 61 FBO, Van Nuys, CA
CFI/II: American Flyers, Santa Monica, CA

Total time: 1 year, 10 months
Total cost: $39,154.41

I never used the sim for anything, and I accomplished all the ratings with pretty close to the minimum required times. However, I did do most of my training in the expensive Los Angeles area. Conclusion: ATP is overpriced. Take your time and enjoy it.

I'm not saying what I did is perfect for everyone, just food for thought. Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Have fun out there.
Click to expand...

That's an impressive amount of time to get that much done. Which FBO did you fly out of at VNY?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top