Pilot License Cost in 2024 | Full Breakdown of PPL Flight Training & Flight School Costs

[@EvanLuft]

Hey everyone! Thanks for all of the support! Make sure you check out my other videos on my channel about my life as a corporate pilot. The amount of future young aviators reaching out for advice has been very cool!

[@miker6402]

Hey Evan, do you own your own plane? How much does a cheaper plane cost? Finally, with a private license, are you able to work and have a career or is a private license for your own use?

[@KATIELAUGHTON]

My daughter is taking hers right now. Every hour with an instructor is $580 !

[@andrewcullum8437]

@@KATIELAUGHTON you need to get your daughter over to the UK in the Spring! £115 per hour for the SF 25 Falke and £30 for Ian Atherton the instructor.

[@andrewcullum8437]

Stop wasting money like that in the USA!

[@tonyvelasquez6776]

@@andrewcullum8437 what's the point of getting a license in another country of you don't live there?

[@therickson100]

I spent about $8000 in 2019-2020. Realize that the cost is usually spread out over a year or more...that makes a big difference. Also, I took out a personal loan for $8K when I started and put the money in a separate account that I used for flight training only. That meant that I never had to worry about whether I had the money for the lesson this week, it was in the account with its own debit card. Then, as I trained, I made payments on the loan and...I paid off the loan two months after I got my license. I spent a little more because of interest but I never had to worry whether the money was there for training.

[@EvanLuft]

That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing

[@houssamalucad753]

8k? sounds a bit low? or did you mean 80k

[@therickson100]

@@houssamalucad753 No, I meant $8,000. Not an inexpensive hobby but, for me, it has been well worth it. You make choices about how to spend your money--I certainly could have afforded to replace my 10 year old Toyota Corolla but instead drove it for a couple more years so I could learn to fly an airplane.

[@Sean_Connery]

@@houssamalucad753if it's true he likely lives in a very poor state or poor country.

[@cameronanderson6637]

Has nothing to do with it he has a private pilot certificate ​@@Sean_Connery

[@robertmack8467]

After my tour of duty in late '72 (and I'd saved everything I could while in) I came home and paid $5 for an introductory flight. When I asked how much the Private Pilot course was they said $635 so I asked if they wanted cash or would they take a check. When they found out I was a veteran they went out of their way to accelerate the training! For the next couple of months I was driving a cotton picker for my family as it was a very wet year then began pilot training in March of '73. By January '75 I had my first full-time flying job with a bank. By October I was in the right seat of a jet. Career span was 45 years of which the last 23 were expat (12 type-ratings / 98 countries / 22 on the African continent). At this time I'm waiting to hear from the FAA if they will reinstate my medical and if so I have two part-time contract gigs on a Gulfstream 650ER. You're the new generation and there is a lot of opportunity for you out there - God bless!

[@EvanLuft]

Hey Robert! Very inspiring story to say the least!! Thanks for sharing this? I would love to maybe get some insight and or discuss some of your experience in detail. If you want to get in touch send me a message on my social media (Instagram). :)

[@turnerables]

Those opportunities are far more expensive for this generation

[@amyx231]

@@turnerables agreed. For college (not flight school), for undergrad I had multiple scholarships and up to 3 jobs at times. AND parental support for rent. Older people are like, I paid my own way…Tuition was $25k at state school, and I made $7.25 an hour. Private pilot’s licenses are minimum $20k from my basic calculations. Enough that I’ve given up on that. I want to fly as a hobby, but not $20k worth of want. For that price I can get a cheap online MBA

[@baileypugh5527]

Nowadays the military will actually pay for your pilot’s license both while you’re in and once you get out.

[@amyx231]

@@baileypugh5527 with my eyes and lack of athleticism? Nah, they wanted to send me to Iraq. Sorry, they “promise” I wouldn’t be sent to Iraq. With an offered MOS that screamed Iraq…. I was almost ready to sign too.

[@carlaoliveira1808]

My son is 14 almost 15. He's already in school to be a pilot. He's flying but always with an instructor. He can't get his ppl until he turns 17. But he absorbs everything, absolutely loves flying. He eventually wants to be a commercial pilot. The instructors are very impressed at how he absorbs it all both the flying & the school work.

[@EvanLuft]

Awesome! I’m finishing a commercial pilot license video

[@dannyortega5272]

Awesome parents

[@quibexe]

​@EvanLuft please do, as a kiddo at 16 years old. I am very curious and interested since im already heading my way to a flight school soon

[@kevinbaslee3262]

I got my PPL almost 9 years ago for around $6500. I now have an instrument rating, commercial, and on the verge of my CFI rating. I don't know the total cost, but well North of 10X the PPL. It's been worth every penny!! I had to work second and third jobs to pay for it, but I was able to do it without barrowing a penny. If you want to do it bad enough, and are determined, you can make it happen. One of the most rewarding experiences of my life!!

[@EvanLuft]

Hey Kevin thanks for sharing this! Awesome you did your CFI rating too! I considered it but both my instructors at the time moved onto other things and I was already flying a turbine twin at the time. :) would have been fun to teach though!!

[@gottafly30]

Great video! Very well documented. I am so glad you included the discovery flight, because small aircraft are much different than what most people are used to, so definitely this is an opportunity to test drive before you buy.The only thing I can add based on 30 years of experience, The number one reason for students not completing their training is running out of money, and the number one reason for running out of money is gaps in the training which requires re-learning skills over and over again. I highly recommend to your audience, and to everyone who asks, to treat your flight training like a semester in college. Plan that it will cost you $10,000, plan for three sessions with an instructor per week, do your homework and study. If you do this, it is highly likely that in 3 to 4 months he will be certified by the FAA as a pilot!

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks so much for posting this! I will try to pin this to the top, such a good point! I’ve heard many times of students giving up due to lapses in their training, sometimes from a bad experience or lack of confidence even!

[@AMK544]

At least. I’m about to take my checkride in Los Angeles and I’m $27,000 deep…

[@leeforraht5697]

I’ve been obsessed with planes and flying since I was a kid, and growing up on a farm I always loved watching the crop dusters do their thing. The local airport/flight school is right across from one of our fields and I always loved watching the planes take off right over my head when I was out working in that field. Always wanted to give it a shot and get my pilot’s license. It’s a big cost, but I think I’ll regret it if I don’t give it a shot.

[@EvanLuft]

Sounds like exactly how I got started! If I were you I’d go meet the people there. If anything they will convince you and give you a good insight. And cropdusting would be a lot of fun!!!

[@icarter3203]

In the same boat. Definitely say let’s go for it man. We live once. No regrets!!!!

[@curtisducati]

@@EvanLuft The plane behind you is stunning , that's a sexy aircraft !

[@milkeywhey2998]

Just fking do it

[@worthmor]

Do it! I did not follow my dream and will always regret it. Now it's too late.

[@joemanflyer2001]

I loved training and flying to become a private pilot!! It’s an amazing experience! You become part of a new family! The Camaraderie between pilots is exponential. After I got my pilot license … I flew with friend that is also a pilot to Oshkosh!! Flying across this country from California to Wisconsin is an adventure in itself. This is what flying is all about… My learning experience that I can pass onto you is that you fly a minimum of 4 days a week and do your ground school the other 3 days. Do your reading, studying and homework religiously. This will save you the most money and you will get your license faster! See you in the skies !!!!

[@EvanLuft]

So true!!! If you have the passion for it, it’s no longer flight training… it’s just fulfilling your desire to fly! Haha

[@jd2161]

7 days a week? Most people have a job.

[@joemanflyer2001]

@@jd2161 During summer time. You get off work at 5. You have 3 hours of sunlight. 4days a week would be weekends too the other is studying Can also be done at night. The point is … don’t spread it over to long of a period or it will cost more. You can get it done in two months over a summertime! Make that dream a reality !!! Be committed! GL. See you in g try he skies

[@fox1503]

when I was in the Air Force, we would talk to our pilots about getting our private licenses, and generally, back in 2005 ish.. it was about $24k. And we all griped about how much it costed. And of course our officers would look at us crosseyed and say, "You have a $24k car in the dorm parking lot don't you?". Everyone has their own priorities...

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks Kevin for posting this. You are absolutely correct. The things we waste money on nowadays could pay for a pilots license in itself. Heck, the amount I spend even on stuff that I could cut out of my life I could have probably donated to someone who couldn’t afford to fly. A new truck nowadays is more than double or even triple the cost of a pilots license.

[@SubieNinja]

and id say no. i have a 5 k car, and a 7k car and a 3k car. for my wife and i to use

[@fox1503]

​@@SubieNinja You're focusing too much on the analogy and not the point.

[@jd2161]

@@SubieNinja so you have 3 cars for 2 people?

[@ctclimberguy34]

@@jd2161 I do. 3 for 2.

[@joedivita7469]

Everyone's experience is unique! Finally got my PPL this past November. Took me 130 hours due to the covid set back, switched flight schools twice, instructor availability etc etc etc - every setback in the book. All-in-all: $25k. Now, after two fatal accidents (one was one of my instructors) at my home airport in 9 months, I've decided to hang it up. Was a wonderful experience and I already miss it, but I've decided the risks involved just for a hobby aren't worth it for me. Own your journey, enjoy every minute of it and stay safe out there!

[@EvanLuft]

Hey Joe! Thanks for sharing this! Especially since it took you a longer amount of hours than most! Congratulations on sticking it out!!! :) :) especially through the tough times everyone’s had! It’s inspiring to hear this so you have my respect and congratulations sir! :)

[@allenh7835]

Unfortunately ,the most experienced pilot has no control over wind or Murphys Law. A pilot in my area, always flew over Insterstate Highways. He died in a swamp in South Carolina after crashing.

[@zackriden79]

130 hours is too much , really after about 20 hours shouldn't need a CFI to train you should be well into solo should be well into your flight planning and ground learning abiilty you just need ONE CFI to line up the DPE , 130 hours is a boat load

[@Emmydonglobal]

Wow 😲😲 congratulations

[@kathauger902]

@@zackriden79 national average is 60-100 hours right now. I’ve seen a couple pilots not complete their PPL until 100-130. In those cases, in my experience working at a flight school, it came down to multi-tasking ability and self-study. I like in this video that he mentions putting in the work. I think anyone can get their license, but it’s not a “get the hours and you’re done” license.

[@SteelDogFab]

Awesome video and a great breakdown. I took my discovery flight 9/29/2021 (which turned into my first lesson) and took my checkride 4/3/2022. With 41.5hrs walking into my checkride. I broke down the cost, and it ended up being $7,650 all said and done. This was a ton of self study (online ground school). Well worth every penny.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks! I’m glad it helped! Awesome that you finished with the minimum hours!! :) congrats!

[@SteelDogFab]

@@EvanLuft thank you!

[@luissanchez1159]

@@SteelDogFab so why's ATP charging $90k for 9 months of training? Is it worth it? Please advise, thanks!

[@SteelDogFab]

@@luissanchez1159 that’s probably to get you to commercial and CF1

[@last2first167]

@@SteelDogFab Did you go to a part 61 school?

[@rogermwoodbury4966]

This was interesting. I got my ppl in the early 1970's. I was a high mileage driver here in Maine servicing the clients of my commercial insurance business. One day I had to drive 150 miles to Bangor and return for just a policy release signature...a terrible use of time. I looked into commercial flying and found that the time involved would give me no savings because of the airline routing (Portland to Boston to Bangor to Boston to Portland). So I figured that if I had my ppl I could save at least nine hours of travel. When I was in the Air Force I learned the basics of flying the Cessna 172 so I figure it would be simple even though that training was ten years before. I went to the Cessna Pilot Training Center at the airport, took a basic orientation flight which was free on that day, and decided to give it a shot. All my USAF basic flight training came right back as far as handling the aircraft. I had ended up being a GCI controller in the Air Force so the air traffic procedures and radio work was really second nature. I totalled the cost up and knew it was going to cost roughly $8000 to get my ppl: it was 1986. Then I learned something else that was really interesting. Private flying and general aviation was at a low point for Cessna at that time. Cessna Aircraft had a "special deal": if you got your license and bought a new Cessna airplane, Cessna would REFUND your total cost of learning to fly. AND as it happened, Cessna had a bunch of 172's in stock in Wichita. Better still, Cessna would finance your aircraft purchase at a really good interest rate (I've forgotten what it was, but it was CHEAP). So I did some fast thinking. I asked the Cessna franchise management if they would approach Cessna about doing the deal backwards. That is, would Cessna Aircraft sell me a new 172 FIRST, assuming that the flight training through their program would be INcluded in the purchase price? Then I would buy the airplane and complete my flight training in my own airplane saving the airplane rental cost and the cost of the ground training also, which had looked at around $8000 or so at the time. Cessna thought about my offer for about a week and then agreed. The only question was which airplane would I buy. I ended up with N99548, which was a blue striped Cessna 172 that was fully IFR certified. ( I new that truly safe business use of an airplane in Maine would mean requiring IFR certification). The cost of the airplane was right around $80,000 if memory serves and that included the private pilot flight training. There were of course, some other expenses involved such as the four place intercom system I had installed with "push to talk" on both yokes and a Loran system that I wanted as it would be simpler to fly my mostly VFR flights using the Loran. But I was in the airplane and ready to go in about two months from the time I knew that flying might be a good option for my business flying needs. Since I could legitimately argue that 90% of my flying that 172 was for business purposes and kept the logs to prove it, 90% of my flying and aircraft ownership was deducted against my income tax, so for the time I had the aircraft and used it, essentially I wrote it all off against income taxes. Not everyone could do that at the time but through the few years of my flying, the net cost of it all approached zero.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks Roger! This is very interesting and very smart way of utilizing an aircraft properly! If I can I’m going to pin this comment to the top (not sure how I do that yet but I will try) as it is great information! :)

[@Epic_Aviation]

@@EvanLuft You can pin a comment by clicking on the 3 dots on the right side, then press "Pin".

[@lamarthomas181]

Woooow, Master Class in Obtaining Your PPL & BUSINESS... TALK ABOUT STICKING IT TO THE MAN. WOWWWW, I'M GONNA HAVE TO USE ONE OR TWO OF THESE MANEUVERS!!! THANK YOU...

[@Chasmodius]

@@lamarthomas181 Is it "sticking it to the man?" Or is it taking appropriate advantage of systems and deals explicitly designed to encourage people to take these sorts of risks and build effective small businesses that ultimately drive the economic lifeblood of our society?

[@idahoman325]

@@Chasmodius , I think in their world its probably the same thing lol ... smart purchasing & knowing the deals currently running.

[@dharps3014]

So glad I stumbled on this video! I’ve been looking into starting some civilian flight training and this is an awesome breakdown of the costs to help me accurately budget out what I need to start this summer (I have some flight hours from military training but the minimum 40 hour cost will get me close to that 55-70 hour range). Much appreciated for the video, sir!

[@EvanLuft]

I’m glad it was helpful! I also posted all of my favourite aviation products in the description if you need to check out what I use and recommend! Thanks so much for the compliments!! :)

[@mtsflorida]

I started flying on my 16th birthday. I took $200 dollars worth of lessons being 5 hrs $30 + $20 for instructor in the 150 Cessna. I had 2 $5 introduction lessons first and completed ground school and IFR. I was then ready for solo and bought a plane for $2500 from a airline Capt. Yes it was very inexpensive but I was prepared and had the books since the army where I got a lot of hours with rotary and fixed wing being with an Airborne unit. Flying has been my favorite passion followed by law enforcement and medicine about tied.

[@EvanLuft]

Hey mike! Yup and that’s a good example of how to plan properly and be smart about your flight training. Lots of private guys will get their license by buying their own airplane and then selling it afterwards… or keeping it for fun. :)

[@scottyjay692]

I had 51.3 hours in my book prior to passing my practical test. But 4 of those hours were for a solo cross country that didn’t count due to weather diversion. So I’m going to say I took my test at 47.3 hours. Test only took 1.1 hours

[@EvanLuft]

That’s awesome! Did you fly consistently? It’s funny because I called 10 flight schools in the us at random and asked what I should expect and they said “we advertise 40 to 50 but the average is 65 or so. So good job!! :)

[@tonyvelasquez6776]

@EvanLuft hey brother watching your video while trying to push out a massive Dookie love the video brother man

[@michaelkermizian1749]

I received my solo certificate in the early 70's with 8.1 hours of instruction. I went and bought a PA-28-140 right after. The instructor never told me that I had to be within sight of the home airport. I flew six 200 mile trips before I found out otherwise. I've been flying for more than 50 years now. Things were different back then.

[@EvanLuft]

Hi Michael! Yes they were different back then! :) Even from when I did my license in 2006! I’ve never flown in a pa28. Flown pa-30 and pa-34.

[@davidgiles5030]

I decided to see how high a C-150 would go. A jet went past me at my altitude. He was landing at YYZ. Later I found out how illegal I had been. Oh well, 50 years ago.

[@jayeean3890]

Nice job! The one thing I was told as a student was to go as often as you can. I was able to go 2x per week every week until I received my private in ~ 72-74 hrs. Luckily we had a mild winter that year in the Northeast. My flying buddy went 1x per week for 2 years with the same plane and instructor due to his financial circumstances, but going more often will save money in the long run. Good point on having the time and commitment! You will ha ha to learn more than you imagine you'll have to, so be prepared for that. You have to WANT it... I did and it was a labor of love. I've been flying for 25 years and can't imagine NOT knowing how to fly. THEN... travel to Oshkosh and realize YOU DID IT!!

[@EvanLuft]

Hi Jay! Thanks for posting this! And you are absolutely right. You get what you put into it… more so the effort and time than just the money! :)

[@barongerhardt]

Oshkosh is definitely the trip every lover of aviation needs to make at least once in a life time. If coming from the south, a little stop over and fuel up at one zero charlie was always a good idea. Or it was, I haven't made that trip in a long time, and who know how it has come through lock downs.

[@percyjackson7759]

Just watched your first 2 videos in this series and they're incredible. Going into them, I had a ton of questions, and although you answered PPL ones to perfection, I really wish you were a commercial pilot so you could do more videos going through that process for further steps. Or even if you had a close friend you could interview to answer them. Potential content questions to answer: So how much time did each step of training take to get to next certificate/flight hour milestone/etc? What things worked best for increasing flight hours? What was best for preparing for the actual jobs? Finding jobs with just PPL to get tons of hours and experience in without breaking the bank? How much did it cost to train for each step? How did you cut costs from what they would have been? How hard were the written tests, and how much study went into it? Are there free good resources for the written exams? How many written exams and certificates are there, and what are the best free study resources? What does the physical actually entail for health? How long is it good for? I love the breakdown for type 1, 2, and 3, buy what do they actually entail? Do you have an example schedule from the past? What are short haul and long haul schedules like? Can you really see your family every night? How many hours did you work a month when short haul vs now? How many hours worked are flying vs on ground? Uniform- Recommendations for comfort? Inspections ever? Bang for buck vs comfort, what to go cheap on and all out on?

[@ginfioanswers7062]

I like how this video is so simple, to the point, informative. Perfect.

[@danrussell3509]

My nephew just completed getting his PPL and you are correct about the dollar signs , but his training doesn't stop there because he is now training to be a commercial pilot and flying the Big birds !! Very proud of him !!

[@EvanLuft]

Hey Dan! That’s great to hear. I have decided to make another video describing the costs of the commercial pilot license as well.

[@MotoMischiefs]

Being a pilot for 20-plus years, I came over in 1996, only speaking very little English, and did my PPL at 45 hours and in 3 weeks with a part 61 flight school. It is all about commitment. I self-studied upfront to give me a bit of a head start. Overall I spend $1500 but that was at times when the instructor was 8 bucks an hour and the Cessna 150 could be rented for a block rate of $34 an hour. But I can't drive enough home that if you are committed and set a few weeks aside, even today it is possible to achieve this in a rather short amount of time. Trying to do this on the side, I agree with the mentioned numbers. And stay away from course programs that only let you advance if you pass certain milestones in my opinion this is more in the interest of the flight school and not in the interest of the student.

[@tomallen6073]

$8/hr. Mighty cheap, maybe it was 1896. Or in a foreign county.

[@MotoMischiefs]

@@tomallen6073 Nope, 1996, Plantation Airpark, GA, part 61 school

[@randomguy3281]

Thanks for making this video, it’s the best I’ve found talking about realistic costs and is more comprehensive than the numbers I’ve gotten from flight schools and private pilots in the past. I’ve wanted to get a PPL since I was a kid, but now in my mid 20s I’m not there financially yet. I’m currently in school getting a Class A CDL, which in many ways mirrors the PPL time line; class room time, DOT medical, permit test, behind the wheel time, driving test. It’s just less hours and under $6000usd. When I am ready to finally go for the PPL, I think I’ll make sure to have about 16k-18k set aside in an account, if I’ve got left overs when I finish my PPL, well that’s just bonus rental hours to give family and friends rides.

[@divaker02]

Bro uploaded the video in 2021 and said its for 2024 in 2023. Time traveller fs

[@BHMPictures]

But the prices he mentioned are still relevant today.

[@BeholdSevenWoes]

😂😂

[@quibexe]

​@DoNotDrive.221that's crazyy

[@Naamllaa]

And for your comment 9 months 😂

[@jeffl1216]

Bro must be flying those gravitic craft.

[@Elvishglint886]

Love the numbers that were throw out immediately. Quickly to the point and addressed the topic of information prior to speaking. Great video 🤝🏼

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks a lot Ethan! Tried to make it as to the point as possible! :)

[@parsanekoui8495]

I obtained my PPL at 43 hours, around 9-10k total, all depends on your efficiency on training and how quick you pick up things.

[@EvanLuft]

Totally agree! I got stuck on circuits haha 😂 so spent another 10 hours or so just on that solo practicing short fields

[@gendaminoru3195]

Same but that was way back in 1980's and it was still over $12K even back then, and I hate missing exam questions - usually 3. There's always a throwaway, and an almost correct to fool you, but you can save time on the exams by looking at the multiple choice answers an eliminating the obvious ones. So it is quite possible to ace the written exams. Just find a way to be really interested in every aspect of the subject matter. So if weather is not your thing, find a way to like it.

[@rsplays8185]

So isn’t there the cost of flight school like the one that costs 100k or is this flight training on top of the 100k

[@dangda-ww7de]

pretty cheap for around 10k.

[@Briansgate]

The answer is at 11:42

[@bobswett4712]

Oh my, how things have changed over the years. Back in 1956 I was employed at Sarasota/Bradenton airport and had a few lessons in an Aeronca Champ with a great instructor. At the time it was $12.00 per hour with instructor and $9.00 per hour solo ! Should have probably stayed with it given what the cost is now. Still have my log book for memories.

[@EvanLuft]

Hey Bob! Crazy to think of how much it cost back then! We could only dream of those prices today haha

[@blahblah8037]

Even with inflation factored in a good price.

[@Larrina5555]

no way, i go to that airport!

[@just2cameraguys]

Had to come back and re watch to see the lighting set up. You did a pretty good job, didn't even really notice in the first watch. Haha. Good work.

[@EvanLuft]

Haha thanks man! You guys are the pros though, and have it lit so soft and professional. I have a lot to learn haha

[@Ed-hz2um]

Excellent analysis, Evan! Our Foundation has been giving scholarships and tracking costs for many years, and your figures are right on the Money (Joke!) In our experience, the biggest cost saving tactic is to fly 2-3 times a week and do homework. That way your learning curve maintains its ascent and you'll get to your goal with fewer hours. Also, some clubs will give you a discount on rentals if you join the club, even as a student.

[@EvanLuft]

Hey! Thanks so much!! Would it be possible to link up and discuss this more with you. Maybe do a feature for your foundation in my next video as well! To help with getting the information to young new aviators!

[@Ed-hz2um]

@@EvanLuft Sure thing, Evan. It's the Patriots Jet Team Foundation based in northern CA. Lots of KZbin videos of the team online. I was the Academy Director for the Foundation. I moved east a year ago. How can I contact you?

[@damisdad]

Excellent video Evan. You've cleared up a lot of questions I've had for awhile, and a few questions i didn't know I had lol. Great job and safe flying. Jesse

[@EvanLuft]

Thank you! I am glad this video is helpful! :) thanks! You too!!

[@ioannesalethes2998]

Great analysis! Though from my experience in MA and RI, most people get there PPL after around 70 hours. Most of them will be dual, and solo time will actually only be around 15 (3 hours solo in the pattern and within 25nm, 5 hours XC, and others are for normal/short/soft landing practices). Interesting to see that you are expecting 25-35 hours of solo! But I guess that depends on the location too. I'd imagine most instructors are less comfortable sending people for solo in C or beneath B airspaces.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks a lot!! And thanks for sharing this! Yeah I think students now spend less dual time and more solo practice than when I did my license. I wasn’t flying as regular as most students do today :)

[@kathielarsen6788]

Another super helpful video! Thanks for breaking the costs down! :)

[@EvanLuft]

I am glad this video helped! Thanks Kathie really appreciate it and thanks for being a supporter of the channel. It goes a long ways. Really cool to see all the young aviators out there as well that are joining in and it’s really awesome to be able to help them out :) cheers

[@HiroNguy]

As Step # 0 before spending anything on ground school, etc. I recommend getting a complete DOT/FAA physical. If you find there's something wrong with your medical it could put the kibosh on any certificate issuance. And it doesn't hurt to make sure you're OK anyway as the more thorough FAA medical can function as your regular checkup.

[@EvanLuft]

That’s a very good point and I wish I would have mentioned this at the beginning of the video now. I am realizing that the medical should be a first step with regards to FAA. I’m canada I often don’t even think about it, being younger and all it usually passes my mind.

[@johnpavalko707]

Great tip, I did all my ground school and test then I found out I had a red/green color deficiency… which turned into a cluster

[@kellyrayx119]

Intro flight to see if it is what you want, then FAA physical. My plan.

[@ruggednorthman]

Spectacular videos. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and the last. You answered so many questions I was curious about.

[@EvanLuft]

I’m really glad to hear that! You’re working on your private license? Which country?

[@ruggednorthman]

@@EvanLuft I'm in Ontario, Canada and since turning 50 this is something I've waited too long to do.

[@seabomber1]

I obtained my license 5 years ago and did it in 3 months, less than 50 hours and spent just under $6,000, It can be done if you find the right instructor/plane.

[@EvanLuft]

Yup! I totally agree! :)

[@keithstleung]

where u do it?

[@seabomber1]

@@keithstleung Northern Michigan

[@snakemxn]

How often did you go?

[@johnmorris1378]

I work for a local FBO one of my ex-pilot colleagues suggested joining a flight club that every member puts in a portion for hanger and maintenance cost for airplanes making rental and instructor costs lowered combined with an online training course online this should lower the cost exponentially. I'm about to begin my adventure not sure what is required to pass the medical exam, but wish me luck! Thanks for the vids dropped a sub brotha!

[@davidklassen2805]

I obtained my private pilot certificate at a part 141 school which has a minimum of 35 total hours and I passed the checkride at about 37 hours and ended up leaving about 8,000 dollars at the school but with insurance and all the other supplies as well as transportation to the airport (not to mention that was an hour and 15 minutes drive) I would say I spent around 10,000 dollars!

[@EvanLuft]

That’s good to know David! So you finished sooner than most! And congratulations! :) are you thinking of doing the multi and IFR? Commercial?

[@davidklassen2805]

@@EvanLuft thanks! Yes I finished sooner than most. Yeah I do plan on getting instrument and commercial, end goal is CFI!

[@EvanLuft]

Good for you! I started me instructor rating but got a bunch of flying jobs instead!

[@davidklassen2805]

@@EvanLuft yeah I’ve thought about that too but I just love aviation and I want to help other people get into it and achieve their dream!

[@EvanLuft]

That is very admirable! I am trying to do the same now with my videos. But i am also trying to show others that becoming a Pilot isn’t all about the flying, but the adventures, people, and stories from being able to expose yourself to the passion!

[@mazeppa47]

Very informative and well delivered. With the high cost of flight training now it would take a high level of commitment, as you pointed out, passion for flying to justify $15,000 just to achieve the first step in an aviation career. Because with the new rules regarding part 121 crew certificating requirements, i.e. first officers needing to hold an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, the cost to get to that level would probably run $100,000 or more. I was very fortunate to have earned my certificates in the early 1970's when it was much less expensive. Downright cheap actually. I believe the Cessna 150 was $5.00 per hour wet at the Air Force base flying club where I was stationed. That was the catalyst for a 35+ year aviation career that I enjoyed immensely. Best of life to all the fledgling pilots answering the call of flight.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks so much!! You are absolutely right. Thanks for the information! :) :)

[@yashajgaonkar5389]

Hey Love your videos. Just to conclude, can you make video on career prospects of holding a PPL, how beneficial it would be in terms of ROI.

[@EvanLuft]

That’s awesome thanks a lot! :) I will be making some more vids on the CPL and atpl soon :)

[@barongerhardt]

{USA} The ROI on a private pilots license {single engine land SEL, visual flight rules VFR } like he talked about in this video is zero. With it you have the ability to fly around and bring friends up, but it is illegal to charge them. They can contribute a little to costs {upto 50%}, but you cannot profit. To charge for profit you need a commercial license {CPL, $10k}. On your way to that you will get IFR {instrument flight rules, $10k} rated, complex endorsed {variable pitch prop, retractable gear, flaps}, and high power endorsement {over 200 HP}. At that point you can find entry level jobs flying. The two main directions are either corporate on call pilot or flight instructor. Neither is great pay, but both will get you paid while building hours {$40-60k/yr starting}. Flight instructor will require an instructor certificate {$10k}. In the mean time you will likely pursue multi-engine {MEL, $10k}. The norm was 5-10 years in one of those jobs, building up to 1.5k+ hours. Then you get the airline transport pilot license {ATPL, $5k} and apply to majors or regional airlines. That is when the pay really takes off {$100k+}. With a hard retirement age of 60 {might be 65 now}.

[@six_twentythree]

What are the biggest recurring costs after you’ve obtained your PPL? For example, how often must you fly to keep your PPL current? How about an instrument rating? Thanks for the super informative video! This was very well done.

[@EvanLuft]

Mostly it’s the medical, and takeoffs and landings, I’d budget around 3k a year to keep your ppl current at least

[@TM-tw1py]

Well done Evan - excellent concise summary on this subject. Actually my time is perhaps the bigger issue. While enjoyable, the training pilot might have a significant cost for their time (think driving back and forth to an airport - especially if it is some distance away.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it! Yeah your time is a huge commitment! I remember for me it was the time too. Hour drive for 1.5 hour flight. And then of that 1.5 hour flight, 1 hour was actual training. I trained at a big international airport so we had to fly to a smaller uncontrolled airport to do circuits. So much less inefficient than most places I know today.

[@genedillman7811]

Very comprehensive video. Helpful on my next steps to my PPL!

[@EvanLuft]

I am glad it helped! :)

[@imspecial2314]

Did mine in 57.2 hrs. Cost $12,590. Finished in 3 month. Trained 3-4 times a week. Great video!

[@AsadUsmani-vb9gz]

Where did u train ?

[@deutschegeschichte4972]

@@AsadUsmani-vb9gz He didnt "train" he "plane`d"

[@yashodhannn]

Excellent work. Two cents - would have been nice to hear your thoughts on the timeline. Does the flight time expire anytime ?

[@jbriece9252]

I did my in 42 hours. It’s very durable in this 40-45 hrs range. One thing that most likely made me succeed was that i trained at least 3 hrs a week. If it wasn’t windy (above 20 mph) or raining i was in the sky. Ground school was fairly straight forward and I did it at my own pace. Written test was a pretty easy. it only took me 30 min. I was the first person done and I remember they lady tell me that she seen many people speed though but never pass. I missed 2 questions. I think I pretty much memorized my Cessna training book. Bottom line if you want to learn to fly you have to dedicate to this and only this or you will be one of those person that it takes 60-70 hrs. Ouch said you pocket book. Good luck and have fun while learning! Cost 35 per hour for C152 (wet) and 15 per hour for instructor in 90’s. Total $2000 +/-

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks so much for sharing this!! You are absolutely right! I’ll try to pin this comment to the top. :)

[@anonymousiv7373]

You’re a certified goon in my book 😈

[@RandPaul-se6jz]

Yeah, I was thinking about how cheap it was in the 90s. Most people spent $4000 to $6000 to get their license. The price now is absurd.

[@maelo9x]

Very well explained, thank you for all the details... 1 new subscriober here 🤙😎

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks!! I appreciate it!

[@benjaminwachold3736]

I’ve been thinking 💭 about getting a pilots license because as kid 🧒I had a relative that would take me on his trips and would let me fly the plane with supervision of course. Anyway he taught me how to fly a plane ✈️ without all of the schooling to get an actual license. He was a retired LT. Colonel from the US Air Force for 16 years. He flew for American Airlines for 20 years and flew airplanes until he passed away at 75. Anyway he gave me a love of aviation.

[@EvanLuft]

Really cool! You need to look into flight training by the sounds of it! Passing the torch shall we say! I would love to fly military at some point but my eyes are corrected and I’m a little older now :(

[@zachhendrix7857]

As a current ATP certificate holder, you nailed this. Great realistic video

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks a lot Zach! Means a lot coming from an experienced pilot like yourself! :)

[@kevink9397]

My $.02. Your flight instructor has a HUGE influence over your costs. My recommendation is to choose a seasoned, retired instructor. Even if scheduling with them is difficult and often frustrating due to weather (primary factor) and his or her scheduling conflicts. Why? Because young, aspiring pilot instructors will drop you like a hot potato if they get an offer to take the next step in THEIR flight career, leaving you to find another instructor at your school and having to spend (spend, spend, spend) more time and money establishing yourself with your new instructor. I was dumped 3 times in my pursuit of my PPL at an estimated cost of an additional 9 or 10 hours doing standard maneuvers. Eventually I went to the head of the school and warned him that I am not a cash cow and would seek another training facility if it happens once more. They know your passion, that you'll bend a little to get what you want, but be firm and always be polite, with your school.

[@EvanLuft]

Hey Kevin! Thanks a lot for sharing this and I totally agree! My instructor was a lady that was currently flying for a charter in a twin commander so she was set up and dedicated to teaching on the side, and she brought her real world experience to the table as well! Nowadays I’ve seen a lot of young pilots go right into teaching and they are so fresh that they are immediately jumping to the next opportunity. So I agree 100%. Find experienced instructors with decent time and or real world experience flying! Turnover on instructors is so high now

[@icecold9511]

That should be illegal for them to do. Not only costing money, but affecting quality of training.

[@1965myctahg]

I got my Private Pilot certificate in August 1973. It took 53 hours and $726 total. You could also buy a brand new base model 1973 VW Beetle Sedan for $1780 back then. I used my VA school benefits, while I was serving my four years in the Marine Corps, to complete my Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, Flight Instructor and Instrument Flight Instructor training which left me $400 out of the $10,000 allotted. The VA paid 90% of all my bills. Pretty much I flew from MCAS Cherry Point, NC to my home near NAS Willow Grove, PA round trip (500 miles each way) for around $33 out of my pocket. If you happen to be a veteran with no intention of going to college you might want to check into it. By the way, when I stopped Flight Instructing and had to get a Biennial flight review every two years I used most of my VA balance of $400 to get a Sea Plane rating. That was only 5 hours. Most of it was learning how to move a plane in the water.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks so much for sharing this! Incredible how much less it was to fly black in the day!

[@bombsaway6340]

I’m an active CFI and your cost estimates seem very reasonable. Those who fly several times per week can get done near 40 hours. Fly once a week, 70 hours is a good estimate.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks! I’m glad to hear that coming from you! :) means a lot!

[@jaimereyes7480]

How long are these sessions? 1 hour a day?

[@bombsaway6340]

@@jaimereyes7480 not sure what you’re asking, but I use a syllabus that lays out structure and times. Typically a flight is 1.3 hours, with ground lessons, and training device sessions mixed in.

[@rudela9900]

Great info. The question I have is why do people talk through their nose when they are on the radio?

[@EvanLuft]

Lol I think it’s just the way it sounds.

[@xxshooterxxdm]

I'm currently in flight school in Ms and our prices are has follow. Discover flight is 99.00. Ground school with all books and tools 800.00. Medical was 125.00. Faa exam was 125.00 plane rental for cessna 172 round dial is 140.00 for the g100 glass panel it's 180.00 hour wet per hr. So for around 55hr it's gona be around 14k

[@noahklassen3887]

Wow, great in depth video. thanks for answering so many questions!

[@EvanLuft]

I’m glad it helped!

[@xtango13]

gotta chase your dreams and hope the bag comes along the way 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@EvanLuft]

Yes

[@captainbuck5969]

When I was a full time instructor back in the early 80’s, 90 percent of my students took around 55-65 hours to get their private(40 dual). For those students that took longer breaks between flying, you could add about 10 hours.

[@nickrobinson9486]

This video was very informative, thanks for putting this together!

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks nick! I’m glad it helped! Are you working on your private pilot license?

[@nickrobinson9486]

@@EvanLuft You're welcome! I am not currently, but I am definitely interested! I plan on doing a discovery flight at the start of the new year.

[@PRYDAX]

@@nickrobinson9486 how did the discovery flight go? Still interested?

[@nickrobinson9486]

@@PRYDAX I have not done it yet, but plan on doing it sometime in February. Still interested though for sure.

[@PRYDAX]

@@nickrobinson9486 Great! I wish to do one as well in the next months. Would plan on starting my PPL flight training either this or next year.

[@toddgrx]

I kept a financial log. I trained at KOAK in 2008-2009 in a C172SP. I took my checkride at just under 100 hrs training. Cost of supplies, rental, instructor, fuel, etc was just under $30K

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks for sharing! :)

[@alonshalit5778]

Can you do a video on the full annual costs to maintain a PPL?

[@AdamantiumDressing]

My wife wants to try flight training. I’m glad I found this and have a general idea of cost. We don’t have alot of free time but I’m hoping soon that she can focus on it.

[@EvanLuft]

That’s great! If she has any question feel free to reach out to me!

[@pevelyn8345]

Great job explaining brother 👏 👍 Love the fact that you put Canada in there most videos don't so thank you.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks!! :) I’m glad you liked it! :)

[@rebekahhoefly9909]

Hello someone that works at a flight school in Florida here we recommend you budget 11k-12k to get your ppl. DPEs in our area are 600-700 for the check ride.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks for sharing! I would have thought it would be more expensive in Florida. Good to hear! :) :)

[@EveSwayzz]

this was soo helpful thanks for the info great job very informative

[@gildepaula900ify]

Thanks for your class ! From Brazil !

[@EvanLuft]

Glad it helped!! Cheers from canada!

[@-Wreckanize-]

Great video. I never understood why people obsess over the lowest cost to get into a PPL. Like either way, you're going to spend a bunch of money after training to fly.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks!! I appreciate it! and yes it is so expensive now!

[@serverlan763]

Not many people make it on the minimal hours required and in fact you could be up for double if things are not going well. Also it depends a lot on the flight school. If you end up with brand new instructors and have only just got their instructors rating and even CPL then that will make a big negative difference to your training...

[@farislatif8846]

You are lucky you got a supportive parent. My parent don't even allow me to be a pilot even though i was passionate about it. They both work at the airport though 😅

[@tassi13827]

Paid $4 for instructor and $7 for the Luscombe and then graduated to a Cessna 150 that was $10/hr. Going one hour took me 76 hours, slow learner. For the comm and instru. I went every day. What a difference that made. Bought a Twin Comanche for $12,000 and it included the instructor for the ME rating.

[@EvanLuft]

Amazon go hearing how cheap it was back in the day! Thanks for sharing Larry!

[@coreyjordan2745]

Thank you brother. I seen your videos before. It just been a while. Excellence.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks Corey!!

[@matiasthereal1289]

Can't believe how more expensive it is here in Denmark. It's around $20000 here (45 hours, EASA). Finished mine at 17 years old about a year ago at the very minimum hours of 45. It's an amazing experience, and I can only recommend it!

[@EvanLuft]

Great to hear you got it though! 20$k in canada relates to about 65 hours of training so it’s a bit less expensive

[@matiasthereal1289]

@@EvanLuft Yeah!

[@mattivirta]

many my friends go to asian or USA make ppl licence because have lot cheapen, finland have too many school all include cost 7000-8000$ asian same. who go to school make ppl ower expensive school, i know finland,USA,thailand have many school who thief student lot more money say 20k-30k cost but looking normal good school not newer cost ower price normal all in school cost less than 10k many country,

[@DavidJones-ic3xt]

I’m amazed at the cost of flight training today. I go my private in 1972, my commercial in 1974, instrument 1974 and multi in 1975. When I started a Cherokee 140 was $20/hr wet. My multi was obtained in Florida on an Apache that was so old I think it was serial number 1. This cost $50/hr for 5 hours plus the check ride which was $50 plus an hour’s rental for a total of $350! I can remember the instructor asking the examiner if he was going to shut an engine down to which he replied “I’m not going to sit in that thing with one engine feathered!”

[@EvanLuft]

Hahahahah yes! Crazy how times have changed. Those were the days even before the plane I fly was built (1981) lol!

[@mattivirta]

today 3 different country were i live USA,thailand,north europe plane rent normal have 100$ and teacher take 60-100$/hour,this have normal ewerywere in europe and asian. if take more have big scammer and robber. all include school cost 7000-8000$ ewery country. if take more have big thief. plane have all cessna 150 and 172 or piper,

[@seangrendon]

I am nose diving into this career. I've done 10 years worth of military, law enforcement & investigations careers. I'm ready to finally chase after my dreams of saving every penny for this moment. Thanks for the clear layout on costs. What are you recommendations for once I get my PPL, Instrument Rating and other certifications? (I know I'm way ahead of my self but I'm still planning my new career path)

[@Davidg1940]

Got my private oct 31 1966 mostly in a 150 and 172.. with everything in your video included it was about $850. From Midway airport in Chicago where they had 2 commercial flights daily so we had all the iLS at our disposal

[@EvanLuft]

That’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@TheAirplaneDriver]

Great video. You nailed it. I would emphasize that students must plan to thoroughly immerse themselves in the training process which, among other things, requires a commitment to study and a commitment to fly regularly. Students that don’t make that commitment will, at best, drag the process out and add a whole lot to the bottom line cost. Generally, however, students that don’t commit just don’t make it. The dropout rate for primary students is very high…in the order of 60%-70%. Some drop out because they find that flying is not what they expected….some because they are unable (work, kids, finances) or unwilling to make the commitment. Whatever the reason, flying is not a casual endeavor. You can’t just dip your toe in the water and hope for the best. But, again, great summary. We’ll done.

[@mattcorbett2916]

Thanks for all of the helpful information. 👍

[@EvanLuft]

Anytime I’m glad this video helped!

[@mayagirl365]

GREAT VIDEO!!!! I love you uncle evan! Hope to see you soon! -MAYA

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks! Can’t wait to go back to Philippines!!! Haha miss you all!!!

[@Biketogoback]

Im 14 atm in the uk, gunna try be a pilot as soon as possible, i cant do ground school till 17 but i can book little flying lessons now so its gunna be fun

[@EvanLuft]

Good for you!! :) if you’re wanting to start early at your age. I would also recommend buying a flight simulator for your computer. Practice up and get comfy with instruments etc! :)

[@Biketogoback]

@@EvanLuft do u have any recommendations for wich one i should get, ive tried finding one just dont know whats the best one to get

[@EvanLuft]

I liked P3D or MSFS is good. Just make sure you get a good yoke and rudder pedals!

[@Biketogoback]

@@EvanLuft idm the price since ik itll be worth it, thanks for the help

[@antoinecabrera8086]

Great explanations good job !

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks!! I appreciate it! :)

[@danhammond9066]

My first aircraft I owned was a 1949 Bellanca Cruisair Senior. I sold it back around 2005. That plane went on to win best classic award at the EAA in 2007. For a 1949 aircraft it was fast and nice. It was a tail dragger. Loads of fun to fly.

[@EvanLuft]

Yes those are great airplanes!!

[@James_Snell]

I agree with this training time, but if you live in Los Angeles you would likely need to add about 40-50% for the costs. LSAs here go for $150-$180 and a 172 is more like $225, and CFIs are in the $100-$125/hr

[@EvanLuft]

Thank you so much for providing this information as I know LA can be a much pricier area.

[@Ville804]

Yea, those numbers in the video are significantly lower than my actual cost, I live in San Jose rental for 172 is 180/hr CFI is 85/hours

[@InspiredCraftsman]

40.5 hours to check ride, 7 to solo without prior flying experience, and all in Southern Cali next to LAX bravo. Lots of personal studying, Machado's book was a great resource. Checked the boards for an instructor (I didn't go through a flight school) and worked out a deal to use a 150 that belonged to an acquaintance. Ended up closer to $5k. Lessons with the instructor were 1-2 times a week and seemed a good balance of keeping the information fresh and keeping up with everyday life.

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks a lot for sharing this :) machados book was great I’ve read some of it too!

[@InspiredCraftsman]

@@EvanLuft thanks for all the great content, keep it up. Subbed

[@HECTORFARRA]

Great Video there. I always suggest this: Budget for the High scenario but aim to get the license on the lower one.

[@EvanLuft]

Perfect! Haha then you’ll always be under budget :) :)

[@HECTORFARRA]

@@EvanLuft exactly!! (It worked with my wife)

[@rowanfilms9367]

Great video. Thanks!

[@FullThrottleGarage69]

That was really helpful evan thank you!!

[@byron8519]

I just checked prices today June 7th 2024 in PR and for registration and supplies only they told me $850. And if I want the ground school total adds up to $2500. Flying time was $385 for dual. Outrageous 🤔🤔🤔

[@billlaird7332]

I did my private pilot training and license in 1973. I soloed at 8 hours and passed the flight check ride at 38 hours. At the time, if you trained at an FAA certified flight school, the minimum hours of in aircraft training was 35 hours. Total cost was 900 dollars. How was I able to do it? Wet rate for a Cessna 150 was $ 15 an hour, instructor was $ 5 an hour. I also booked flights for 3 times a week. On an average, I actually flew about twice a week because weather, plane, and instructor availability usually caused one cancellation each week. I completed all training and took the flight check in a three month timeframe. It is important to fly frequently or you waste both time and money in relearning what you did the last time you flew. I did the written prep and test very early in my training and found that I learned a lot from the written that helped me in the in plane flight training. I did the written prep and test at one of those weekend crash courses at a hotel, in classroom training all day Saturday and Sunday morning. Written test Sunday afternoon. I stayed the weekend at the hotel so I wouldn't be distracted by outside activities and Saturday night I studied in my hotel room what was covered in the classroom earlier in the day. I had a couple of other things going for me. I had undergone navigator training in the USAF, so the navigation and radio perficency were no problem. I also shared an apartment with a friend who was working on his Commercial Pilot License under the GI bill. We talked aviation every evening and he flew every weekend to build hours. I flew with him as his unofficial navigator/radio operator. My suggestions to anyone wanting to earn their wings as a pilot are: 1, fly as frequent as possible so you are not relearning what you previously learned, flying is a perishable skill and is diminished over time not practiced. 2, study and take the written test very early in your flight training, it will get that hurdle behind you and what you learn will help in your in plane flight training. An added tip is look into joining the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). CAP is the all volunteer USAF Auxiliary and have units, called squadrons, at the local level nationwide. Many squadrons have their own assigned aircraft, mostly Cessna 172's and provide flight training at an hourly rate less than prevailing commercial rates. Many flight instructors in CAP do not charge CAP members for flight instruction. I did all of my IFR flight training with a CAP flight instructor in my squadron who did not charge me anything for the instruction. I introduced my son to the CAP Cadet program in his early teens. He loved it and earned his Private Pilot license at age 16. He went on to get his FAA Airframe and Powerplant license at a local community college and retired from a major airline with 38 years of service.

[@EvanLuft]

Hey bill! Thanks a lot for sharing this! This is great information that I didn’t even know about!

[@milehigh3054]

I want to get my 11 year old son into this. Thx 😊 hopefully he has his PPL by 16 years old. We got some time to figure things out. Might as well since we have the resources already set aside for him.

[@bobknowl468]

Excellent review. You're on spot. My Daughter has an Angel's Kiss between her brows. I consider it a great blessing.

[@EvanLuft]

That’s awesome! And thanks so much!

[@utahrockz3305]

This was really helpful! Thank you!

[@EvanLuft]

I’m glad it helped! :)

[@snoopyfix2]

Awesome content man. Very useful! Question/Suggestion: what are your opinions on getting a bachelor's degree vs a specialized private flight school?

[@EvanLuft]

Thanks so much man!! :) means a lot! Honestly I went the private flight school route but if you want to be injected into the airlines right away…. The university route often has that path set out already. HOWEVER…. Considering the pilot shortage.., I don’t see doing the private route a problem at all. That’s what I did anyway!

[@Matt-mo8sl]

I started my training Jan 1990 at age 19 and got my ticket in April 1992 at age 21. I had a long delay because I was sick and it took me 6 months to fully recover and I had to take some time to get back in the swing of things. I paid for this out of my own pocket and I was checked out in 5 different models before i got my private ticket. Final numbers for this PP SEL, 3900 dollars and it was done in 67 hours. Man, I wish planes rented as cheap today as they did back in those days! It also helped that I worked at the FBO where the flight school was located at and I got an employee discount on the plane rentals.

[@EvanLuft]

Awesome Matt! Thanks for sharing this :)

[@MrMurauder69]

Great breakdown! Can you break down the costs of the next step, getting a plane? Similarly with cars after your license you can purchase, lease, or rent a car; what are the options/cost averages for planes?

[@EvanLuft]

Hey! Thanks! :) I’m glad it helped! I am going to do more videos of the commercial pilot license and aircraft ownership as well! :)

[@jimsmith9819]

ive seen sdingle engine planes here going for as little as $10,000.00

[@trish9614]

Well let’s see, you want to buy an airplane? There’s expensive, really expensive and ridiculously expensive and that just to buy one. Then there’s upkeep, maintenance, and storage as well as fuel and oil, oh and hidden costs so start saving you’ll soon find out I’m not exaggerating in the slightest. 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰

[@trish9614]

@@jimsmith9819 Ya, maybe a 1945 Stinson that needs everything and anything you can think of. You might find a Cessna 150/152 for 18-25 but they will need work, a new Cessna 172 is $400.000 +. Even if you find a cheap plane it will soon cost you. It just goes with the territory. I’m not being negative I’m being real and I’ve been a pilot and around aviation 61 years which is my age but I was born into a aviation family.

[@MrMurauder69]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I have seen costs of ownership vary between styles, age, quality, etc. Was wondering if there's other options similar to vehicles with ownership, rentals, leases, etc. Excluding partnership (that's self explanatory).

[@UncleTravelingMatt2]

I’d love to get my ppl one day. I’m a huge gearhead, I’ve been into cars since I was 4 years old and I work in automotive today. Aeronautics is the big brother to my industry it feels like and many of the greatest cars came from airplane engineering. I’m in automotive school right now but one day I want to do this.

[@EvanLuft]

Heh Matt! I am a gearhead at heart as well, and sadly, a lot of pilots aren’t… they look at airplanes as if they have no interest in how they work, they just want to fly. And to me that is missing out on why aviation is so interesting. So yes if you are a gearhead, then you’d love flying and pilot training and be very much ahead. :)

[@RussellTelker]

I'm a gearhead as well. One of the biggest mental blocks for me was getting my brain to let the plane fly how it wants. I was so accustomed to instantly reacting to the tail moving around that I tended to overcontrol the plane.

[@BigMike10960]

Thanks for the tips!

[@larrylemons7748]

Wow, how times have changed, I received my ticket in 1978 and a 152 rented for $15.00 hr. and a 172 for $21.00hr ,both wet. Instructor went for 5 or 6 bucks an hr. It took 42 hr. when I went for my check ride and a total cost of $950.00 for my pvt. License. (The good old days )

[@EvanLuft]

Haha Larry you’re making everyone jealous haha. 950$ nowadays gets you 1.5 hours in a Robinson R44 for flight training! Miss the good old days

[@jaimereyes7480]

Excellent video. I did a discovery flight yesterday, and am really considering getting my license. I estimated $12k

[@tomr3422]

Are tower fly by's included? Is there a Tom Cruise style motorcycle rental or would I need to purchase one? Wish these where included in the video

[@EvanLuft]

Hahahahahah me too

[@levibistline1285]

I just finished my PPL. I Started in 2022, two years and 75 hours later it cost me $19,000. At a part 61 school in the Denver area.

[@matthew.dehaven]

Hey. I'm looking to maybe start my training. I'm around Boulder. You mind saying what school you went to and if you liked / would suggest them?

[@BHMPictures]

“Thanks mom n dad for the support”. Let that marinate. Love from Nobekaw, Ghana 🇬🇭

[@Dude8718]

Yeah it's expensive but now that I think about it.... this total price is less than a semester of college even for in state school tuition. Plus it gives you the opportunity to eventually be an instructor and get paid to fly!