The Cost of Learning to Fly

Filed in archive Education on September 2, 2006

The Cleveland National Air Show is happening this Saturday through Monday (in Cleveland, of course). Knowing that these events gets the flying bug biting, the Cleveland Plain Dealer took the opportunity to talk to flight instructor Troy Wilcox about the particulars involved in learning to fly.



Troy, of AirSports Aviation, is not afraid to talk money and gives the cost of getting a license through AirSports.

Q. How much does it cost to earn a private pilot's license?

A. At AirSports, the cost is $10,000, maybe more if you need more than 50 hours of flying time. The federal aviation administration minimum is 40 hours, but the U.S. average is 75 hours. People who fly regularly can usually learn in 50 hours. If you take time off between flights, you might get rusty, and you'll probably need to buy extra hours of flight time. An extra hour at AirSports Aviation is about $113 for an hour in a Cessna 172.

Your mileage, or cost, I should say, will vary depending on the company you choose. To learn more, read The Plain Dealer reporter Fran Henry's complete interview.