Todays Cost of getting a PPL

Blanche wrote:
I took 4 years and 4 CFIs. But in my case I had funerals, surgeries,
out-of-town trips for work, being p*ssed at the original school,
and so on. There was a period of 6 months that I didn't fly at
all.

You aren't that unusual in that regard. Four years is long, but after
working at the flight school, it isn't that uncommon for people to have
their training interrupted by other things and for the process to go far
longer than planned. Not everyone finishes in what is thought to be the
"usual" timeframe, even if that's the optimum way, and it isn't always
due to incompetent CFIs. Other things just get in the way, despite the
best intentions.

Recently, Jay Honeck posted:

After reading John's (BucFan) posting and the revelation that he
spent $12,500 to get his PPL, I have to wonder how representative
this is? It certainly is daunting, to say the least.

No offense to John (whom I applaud for his persistence -- something
few student pilots show), but he was fleeced. There is no way a PPL
has to cost that much, and it does GA an injustice to publicize his
unusual experience.

Perhaps it isn't unusual in his region? Our flying club is the most
economical way to go around here, unless I want to drive an hour to an
airport a couple of counties over. Our 172s and Warriors are about $90/hr.
and up depending on how they're equipped, and instructors are $35/hr. So,
figure $130/hr. + club dues and initial fee + materials + ground school +
tests + check ride, and you're looking at more than 2x what you paid,
minimum. I'd put my cost at around $5500 all things considered, but I did
most of my primary training in a Tomahawk that was about $45/hr.

Mary and I both obtained our PPLs while working full-time, and with
little kids underfoot -- so it CAN be done. You've just got to want
it badly enough.

This is the key; if you want it badly enough, who cares what it costs? To
paraphrase another poster, learning *is* flying.

Neil

I started my training in Denver in 2002. I chose the 172SP @ about $108/hr
and the instructor was $35/hr plus $30/mo club dues. Three times a week
training and then my company decided to move us all to Oregon right before
the check ride. I continued after 3 months of looking for a school and bad
weather in a 172SP @ $125/hr, $45/hr for the instructor but no club dues.

With the time off and having to do some relearning as well as show my
instructor I was safe to solo my total time to check ride was 83 hours.
Adding up everything including books and fees I spent about $10,000 maybe a
bit more. I'm not including my headset or charts and A/FD's.

If I would have been able to stay in Colorado and not have had to travel so
much for work towards the end I was on track to spend about $7000.

It's all good. Probably the best money I've ever spent. Even better I'm
back home in Colorado where the Sun shines most of the time and I can fly
East without worry.

Paul.

"john smith" wrote in message
...
After reading John's (BucFan) posting and the revelation that he spent
$12,500 to get his PPL, I have to wonder how representative this is?
It certainly is daunting, to say the least.
Is this is true, it is certainly a factor in the decline in pilot starts
and completions.
Where you live:
What are the going rates for dual instruction?

What are the rates and aircraft being used for training?

john smith wrote:
After reading John's (BucFan) posting and the revelation that he spent
$12,500 to get his PPL, I have to wonder how representative this is?
It certainly is daunting, to say the least.
Is this is true, it is certainly a factor in the decline in pilot starts
and completions.
Where you live:
What are the going rates for dual instruction?

What are the rates and aircraft being used for training?

Actual cost is relative. A slightly better method is to benchmark
against an average professional middle-class salary. Although I do not
have any data to support this, I suspect the cost of a PP certificate
would be around 2 month's worth of earnings, and it probably remained
that way for several decades.

Andrew Sarangan wrote:
What are the rates and aircraft being used for training?

Actual cost is relative. A slightly better method is to benchmark
against an average professional middle-class salary. Although I do not
have any data to support this, I suspect the cost of a PP certificate
would be around 2 month's worth of earnings, and it probably remained
that way for several decades.


It is relative. I learned back in 1978 for right at $1050 with most of my
training in 152s and a little bit in 172s. At the time a nice car would have
probably cost about $8000 new. I ran into a guy who told me he learned how to
fly for about $600 back in the 60s, when a brand new Volkswagon Beetle could be
had for $1995.

Everything is relative.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 02:22:44 GMT, john smith wrote:

After reading John's (BucFan) posting and the revelation that he spent
$12,500 to get his PPL, I have to wonder how representative this is?

I wouldn't be at all surprised if many people spend this kind of money
on their PPL, though most probably wouldn't admit it. I spent close to
$20k Canadian (about $13k US at the time) and had 90+ hours before my
checkride. I could afford it, so I took more solo flights than I
probably had to. This helped me build more confidence and experience. I
don't regret it at all.




randall g =%^) PPASEL+Night 1974 Cardinal RG
http://www.telemark.net/randallg
Lots of aerial photographs of British Columbia at:
http://www.telemark.net/randallg/photos.htm
Vancouver's famous Kat Kam: http://www.katkam.ca

I dream of the day I can begin taking ppl lessons. Once I'm assured that I
have my two teenage kids college and weddings paid for I will begin lesson
to obtain my ppl. I have a very good friend who is a pilot and generous
about allowing me to be his co-pilot. (Commander 112, and Piper Seneca III)
He thinks I'm a sure thing to finish in the minimum hours, but I think I'll
hit a snag somewhere.

His instructor has two 172's (160hp and 180 hp). They rent for $85 and
$90/hour wet. (including the $5/hr block time discount)

50 hours airplane rental at $85/hr is: $4675
30 hours instructor at $30/yr is: $ 900

Total for airplane and instructor: $5575
Headset: : $200 - 500
Learning materials, cd's etc: : $300 + ?
Renter's insurance: $???????

Total: appx $7000

Being able to say I'm a private pilot..........priceless.

It's not if...it's when.


"john smith" wrote in message
...
After reading John's (BucFan) posting and the revelation that he spent
$12,500 to get his PPL, I have to wonder how representative this is?
It certainly is daunting, to say the least.
Is this is true, it is certainly a factor in the decline in pilot starts
and completions.
Where you live:
What are the going rates for dual instruction?

What are the rates and aircraft being used for training?

"Parshooter12" wrote

50 hours airplane rental at $85/hr is: $4675
30 hours instructor at $30/yr is: $ 900

Dang, where do you live? I want to borrow your instructor. At $30 per year, I
could afford to move for a few months.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Parshooter12" wrote

50 hours airplane rental at $85/hr is: $4675
30 hours instructor at $30/yr is: $ 900

Dang, where do you live? I want to borrow your instructor. At $30 per
year, I could afford to move for a few months.
--
Jim in NC

oops! grin $30/hr

Sorry about that.