The minimum flight experience required by the FAA to obtain a Private Pilot
Certificate is 40 hours. Of those 40 hours, 20 hours must be with a flight instructor and at least 10 hours of those 40 are
solo flight hours. For a person to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate in the minimum 40 hours is possible but not very
common. The national average is 76 hours, but that's taking into account many people who drag their training out for years,
or never even finish. The average person who is able to make it to the airport for 2-3 lessons per week is able
to complete the training in under 55 hours.
FAA MINIMUM 40 HOURS
ITEM
COST/ HOUR
QUANTITY
TOTAL
GROUND SCHOOL
--
1 CLASS
FREE
AIRPLANE W/ INSTRUCTOR
(Average)
$135
25 HOURS
$3,375
AIRPLANE SOLO
(Average)
$97
15 HOURS
$1,455
GROUND INSTRUCTION
$44
10 HOURS
$440
MEDICAL EXAM
--
1 EXAM
$100
WRITTEN EXAM
--
1 EXAM
$100
CHECK RIDE
--
1 CHECK RIDE
$300
Pilot Supplies
(Comprehensive)
$400
TOTAL
$6,170
AVERAGE 55 HOURS
ITEM
COST/ HOUR
QUANTITY
TOTAL
GROUND SCHOOL
--
1 CLASS
FREE
AIRPLANE W/ INSTRUCTOR
$135
35 HOURS
$4,725
AIRPLANE SOLO
$97
20 HOURS
$1,940
GROUND INSTRUCTION
$44
10 HOURS
$440
MEDICAL EXAM
--
1 EXAM
$100
WRITTEN EXAM
--
1 EXAM
$100
CHECK RIDE
--
1 CHECK RIDE
$300
Pilot Supplies
(Comprehensive)
$400
TOTAL
$8,005
While the cost of flight training varies depending on several factors, the tables below
outline the cost of the Private Pilot Certificate at Inflight Pilot Training LLC based on both the 40 hour bare
minimum and the 55 hour average. Included and itemized are estimates of all other costs you will have during
your training.
10,000 Flying
Cloud Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55347 (952)698-3000
