Deltaownsall From United States, joined Jul 2001, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 12426 times:
I'm looking for some general information about obtaining a PPL. I'm currently a freshman in college, but I just can't shake the want to become an airline pilot that I have felt for years and years. I'm not currently at a school that would really be conducive to pilot training (Vanderbilt University), but am interested in possibly getting my Private Pilot's License this summer as a first step. I'm not really giving many specifics here so I don't expect many in return, but in general, what kind of costs can I expect (in total for the PPL), how many months if I'm able to go at it every day of the week, etc. Sorry if something similar has been posted that would answer my questions, but I couldn't find exactly what I needed in a search. Thanks for the info.
DL787932ER From United States, joined Dec 2005, 582 posts, RR: 6 Reply 1, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 12402 times:
You can do it in a summer if you can afford to schedule four times a week which (given weather and scheduling conflicts) will hopefully let you actually fly three times a week. Plan on $5,000 to $6,000, assuming you'll be doing it Part 61 and are trying to do it as cheaply as possible. Ideally, you'll want either to have all the money upfront or a pretty sure thing job-wise, because if you run out of cash and can't train as frequently, it will take longer. Will you be flying out of Nashville? If so, John Tune (JWN) has much cheaper rentals from their flight school than BNA, which I believe only has a Cessna Pilot Center that rents new 172s, etc., and prices accordingly. An old Cessna 150/152 is about the ideal trainer as it's probably about the cheapest rental you can find.
As for cost breakdown, a reasonable estimate is 30 hours with an instructor at $70 for the plane and $30 for the instructor, 20 hours solo at $70 for the plane, 10 extra hours on the ground with the instructor at $30 (it'll be more if you don't want to do ground school on your own time) $75 for the 3rd class medical, $100 for the knowledge exam, $300 for the checkride, $250 for a decent headset (you'll want one of your own, and ANR is a must), $250-$500 for books (again, assuming you'll do your own ground school), and maybe $100 for incidentals (E-6B, sectionals, etc.). That comes to just about $6,000, and gives you a little wiggle room (you can find used books, finish in less time, etc.).
Alternatively, you could go to a Part 141 school and literally fly every day, and go from zero time to the PP-ASEL rating in maybe two weeks. You'd be looking at about double the costs, though, all-inclusive.
Jpdflymhtmlb From United States, joined Jan 2006, 72 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 12369 times:
Quoting DL787932ER (Reply 1): a reasonable estimate is 30 hours with an instructor
Not even...considering you need at least 40 hours flight time under Part 61 to even be elegible for the Private Checkride. I got mine in 41 from a 141 school, and I've seen the average Part 61 school run most people around 60 or so hours. Depending on the rate of the a/c per hour will be a huge factor in how much you want to spend, then tack on an average of 30/hr for instructor.
You need 40 hours total, and I allowed 50. 30 with an instructor, and 20 solo. The overall average is 60-70 hours, but that includes people who fly once per week or less, who have to stop for financial or personal reasons and pick it back up later, etc. Some of the time of each lesson is spent relearning things forgotten since the last lesson. If you're committed and have the time and the cash to fly at least three times per week, 50 hours is a very reasonable goal.
I don't think any PPL checkrides cost more then about $100-150. The most I ever paid was $200 for my commercial ride. Then again, I have not taken a PPL ride in a long time.
Quoting DL787932ER (Reply 1): $250 for a decent headset (you'll want one of your own, and ANR is a must)
You can get a new decent Telex headset for around $180-200. I've had mine for 7 years and it works great. I don't think you need to spend the money on an ANR headset at this point (and they are usually more then $250), you can get a fancy David Clark one down the road a bit.
Quoting DL787932ER (Reply 1): $250-$500 for books (again, assuming you'll do your own ground school)
A lot of FBOs and flight schools charge one flat rate fee for the entire ground school class. I want to say it is around $400 and that includes the class and all of the basic books you'll need (they usually have the Jeppesen private pilot kit--ground school book, lesson syllabus, E6-B, plotter, etc-- its pretty solid). You can always buy more books though.
I would say expect a bare minimum of $4500. You can ask around the airport, maybe someone will sell you a used headset, or books cheap. Many places rent headsets, but they usually cost like $5/flight, or some instructors have a spare one students can use. You can also try ebay for used headsets, but that comes with the obvious risk. There are ways to save some money while learning how to fly, but don't shy away from spending the money when you have to spend it!
Calm down! Relax! Take a breath! It's only an internet message board!
DeltaOwnsAll From United States, joined Jul 2001, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 12301 times:
Thanks for all the info guys. I did not go to the UT game as I was at home in FL at the time, but it was nice nonetheless, lol. I'll be flying in FL if I go through with this, not sure how that affects things. Anyways thanks again, exactly the facts I was looking for.
RoseFlyer From United States, joined Feb 2004, 5614 posts, RR: 27 Reply 7, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 12295 times:
I earned my private pilot license in the summer after my sophomore year in college. It took me a total of 42 days. I flew pretty much every day and took ground school at night. Sometimes I was at the airport for over six hours, but usually it was about three hours a day plus studying at night.
I did mine at a busy airport (BFI right in Seattle) which was expensive as every thing cost about twice as much as the figures that someone else posted. I also took 63 hours to get mine as I worked hard to get everything right and be as competent as possible which resulted in more practice time. Also I did some more fun things with my instructor like going to fun airports that are either super small or in amazing locations.
SX36 From United States, joined Jan 2006, 73 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 years 9 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 12240 times:
Quoting Deltaownsall (Thread starter): I'm currently a freshman in college, but I just can't shake the want to become an airline pilot that I have felt for years and years. I'm not currently at a school that would really be conducive to pilot training (Vanderbilt University), but am interested in possibly getting my Private Pilot's License this summer as a first step.
I am a student currently enrolled at University of North Dakota and recieved my private license here. I highly recommend the PPL program here. Now, from what I gather you intend to get you license at a local airport, which is fine, but if you want to make a career out of flying commercially, you will need a four year degree. If you come to a University like UND with your PPL, you will need to pass through a test course before you can continue with your training. This can cost as much as half of your entire PPL training. If you truly want to make a career out of flying take the time to tour a place like UND or ERAU and if you decide to go for it, get your PPL at the University. The training is second to none, the aircraft are amazing for trainers, and the airport enviornment at a University has a more professional feel than that of an FBO.
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