The Private Pilot's Certificate is your License to Explore.

How long does it take? 

Time to complete training can range from approximately one month to a year, depending on training frequency. Ideally, you should fly at least twice weekly. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 logged flight hours for a private pilot certificate; however, the national average is around 70 hours for a student to feel ready for a check ride.

How Much does it cost?

There are a few different cost involved in earning a Private Pilot's Certificate. 

1. Aircraft Rental. The airplanes range in price from $155 to $211 per hour, with fuel included

2. Certified Flight Instructor. The CFIs are $60 an hour for ground, simulator and single-engine flight instruction. Multi-engine instruction is $70 an hour.

3. Books and Materials. We offer a Private Pilot Kit for $481, which includes the necessary books required for training, as well as some additional supplies, which are listed in the link below. You may also consider purchasing additional items like a headset, kneeboard, iPad/iPhone mounts, etc.

4. FAA Medical Exam. These exams are performed by local FAA Doctors and cost $100-200.

5. FAA Written Test. The written test is issued at any PSI testing center. The cost for the written exam is $175.

6. Annual Incidental Fee. We do not require students to obtain their own renter’s insurance, but we do require renters and students to pay an annual incidental fee of $300 to cover the cost of any potential damage to the planes.

The total cost to earn your private pilot license typically ranges from $12,000–$20,000, depending on the individual student. Factors such as training consistency, time spent studying outside of lessons, and each student’s pace of learning can all impact the overall cost and time required to complete the program.