Commercial Pilot In Only 30 Weeks, and $30k - How He Did It

[@ericlane3256]

This is absolutely the way. Love seeing someone who wants to go professional that didn’t get ripped off and is surrounded by a good group of people who helped him get here.

[@bigj259]

I did my PPL IFR MEL CMEL CFI CFII in 8 months and did it 42k

[@lolaco7919]

whereee? most places i look at r 80k-130k

[@eleflux6609]

65-90k is pretty common today. Just a couple years ago, it could be pretty easy to do for 40-60k. Unfortunately, I had to put off my training during that time. Just got started this past month at a small airport with a 1961 Cessna 172. $120/hr rental and $50/hr instruction. I did my ground with Sporty's, and unfortunately have to retake my knowledge test for PPL because it will expire at the end of the month. Losing a free 95% because the first was paid for. In the phase where my ground hours are about 1-1.5x my flight hours, as I am still under 10 hours and he is still gauging where I am on knowledge going over the ACS. Fully expect, given my current quality of manuevers (had several years flying around with friends that got me practice time before I started formal training), 50 hrs flight time and 60 hrs with the instructor between dual and ground (briefings, review, checkride prep, mock orals, etc). So mininum of $9k just on training, medical was $125, checkride I am told will be around $800, and whatever the knowledge test is now since I have to retake it since it will most likely expire. Figuring $12k for some buffer. If I could maintain the low rental for the majority of my training, I MIGHT (longshot) be able to squeeze in under $50k, but even with that majority, I expect more like $70k total mininum before I can start flying as a job. This by no means is normal lately though. I almost never see rental costs like this anymore. The next two options within a reasonable distance, are $180 and $200 with $60 instruction. Both have been going up steadily, but also have nicer aircraft. The $200 also just repainted all 4 of theirs. We will see if there is a new bump coming there, lol.

[@bigj259]

Did it a few years ago when it was cheaper.

[@whatta7793]

@@eleflux6609 how did you like Sportys? Would you use them again for your ground, or would you go a different route? About how much did Sportys cost from start to finish?

[@philipmensah9528]

It’s nice to know we can’t verify your training 😂…

[@danbuffington75]

Make sure you keep track of those +50nm legs because they count towards the 500xc needed for the ATP.

[@flightacademy]

Great point!

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

This is great info! I need to finish up my instrument rating...

[@conorb7872]

First time seeing this channel and dude you need to narrate stuff, if you don’t already. Great interview voice. Cool video, thanks for the insight, just passed ppl check ride, working on instrument now. In a full time program, it’s a 61 run like 141. I won’t save too much money but plan to get through quickly

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

Oh don't you worry he has atleast 2 other channels that he keeps on the down low from each of his audnces.

[@whatta7793]

@@GreenBlueWalkthrough is something wrong with that?

[@Random83]

I’m in the Denver area, and I got PPL & IFR in 5 months. It would’ve been sooner, but my PPL CFI waited too long to schedule my checkride, leading to a 7 week wait. I’d also prefer to fly every single day, but haven’t been able to, due to CFI/CFII/Chief CFI/DPE/airplane availability.

[@johnamin7858]

PPL @60hrs and only $10-$12k is about $200/hr wet with instructor (or less). That’s pretty cheap!

[@eleflux6609]

60 hrs would be 12k just on rental alone.... instructor hours is substantial as well. Say $60/hr, expect up to 60 hrs instructor time with briefings, dual, ground lessons, review, checkride prep, etc. Now up to almost $16k with tax on the rental if your state taxes that. Tack on extra random expenses, knowledge test, checkride, medical, and it goes up from there. My buffer estimate is $12k, and I have $120 rental and $50 instruction. That is a $2k buffer on my estimate for me given my current quality of manuevers. (50 flight, 60 instruction between dual and ground)

[@orionstorm7]

Awesome guys, so happy for you Jack! Moe & Sam kick ass!!!

[@AlexM2299]

This is excellent content. Thanks for posting it!

[@BenjiBoo42]

I am a youtube/online taught pilot. Most 141 commercial pilots I fly with are super deficient and its insane.

[@burnaxel]

Are you a commercial pilot already?

[@BenjiBoo42]

@@burnaxel checkride next week.

[@burnaxel]

@@BenjiBoo42 good luck

[@rtwg605]

Awesome and congratulations!

[@BONSAIP51]

Where’s your guitar, Homie? I’m super glad to see you over in the aviation world too.

[@dylanpeterson6449]

Lots of good info, but the hardest part here is getting the job right after CPL without CFI certs. He is missing his CMEL which will have to be done eventually (lets say 8k) and because he got his job he might be able to avoid the 12k to get your CFI/CFII.

[@SavageBambi]

i was like mhm this guy looks like the guitar guy i know from other videos lol coincidential

[@duanekauffman1818]

I think there needs to be clarification you said you could fly as safety pilot as a student pilot with another student pilot. I think you meant as private pilots you can be a safety pilot to build your instrument time.

[@Tikitorch523]

It’s great that this is possible but be cautious of flight schools that advertise similar time frames to complete a career program (5.5-7 months). There will be delays and check ride scheduling seems to be the biggest bottleneck. I would recommend working at least part time until you are close to finished just so you aren’t cash poor at the end.

[@nettion]

Amazing tip thanks for that

[@eggface17]

Great stuff! 👍🏻

[@flightacademy]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@j700jam4]

Can safety pilot hours be counted as total hours?

[@meowcats787]

You did your checkride with Dennis?

[@topofthegreen]

you would need a pile of cash, and live at the airport.

[@marcvalliant8131]

What does it mean to "fly simulated?"

[@whatta7793]

simulators/games like msfs, xplane, flightgear, some setups you can even log the hours

[@dfender110]

How are you both logging the time? who is PIC?

[@ItsJustPreVR]

safety pilot

[@kaptainkela]

Both can log pic

[@kaptainkela]

They just have to split the xc time

[@dfender110]

@@kaptainkela Then its not Half price as he says in the video

[@kaptainkela]

@@dfender110 yea it’s not

[@TrwUniversity]

There’s no way he knows everything in that short amount of time. I wouldn’t want to fly with the guy.

[@eleflux6609]

I wouldn't want to fly with anyone that thought they know everything either. 😂😂😂 First order of business when flying with someone new... if they even remotely act like they have everything figured out, no go for me. Always room to learn.

[@TrwUniversity]

@@eleflux6609 yes sir, I fear for my life and I don’t think it’s worth to fly general aviation. I’d rather make hella money and rent private jets if you ask me.

[@cheekcj]

50 hours for PPL and you only spent 10-12k? Thats not right at all in todays world.

[@whatta7793]

How not? He said 60 hours I thought. However my local schools cheapest Cessna is $140/hr, idk the instructor cost but even at $60/hr that's still just $10k for 50 hours. Their cheapest plane overall is like $120/hr but I think it's a Piper?

[@jppalm3944]

This guy not a pilot I would call experienced pilot