ADVICE FOR PPL
Posted by Certain_Smell_5161@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 17 comments
I’m located in California at a pretty busy airport, I just started my PPL at a part 141 and highly rated school. and I just got my invoice for my first instruction and it ended up being $514 for 1.8 hours including ground, instructor and flight time. I have instruction 3 times a week. So that puts me at $1500 a week and $6k a month. Is this an absurd price to pay? I’m planning on completing my PPL In a 5 month time frame. There’s other schools around but they are all 50 mins away and only $150 daily difference while this school is only 20 mins and is at a highly reputable airport and school. my budget was around 25-28k is this reasonable? Should I switch ? Any words would be helpful. Thank you!
SyllabubMore3865@reddit
That’s not too bad. I pay $215/hr for plane rental wet and $80/hr for instructor in Georgia
SoloCFI@reddit
Some of those Instructors may be Independent CFIs on the side as well. If the school does not end up being the right fit, you can always have that conversation.
TxAggieMike@reddit
California… Part 141…
Yup, both are going to contribute to elevated training costs.
It’s one reason I enjoy being part of a not-for-profit flying club
SoloCFI@reddit
Nice! You're only 45 min from me so i may have to stop by some time. Nice site, btw.
UmNicky@reddit
I am flying in the Bay Area and pay roughly $500 for 1.8 tach including plane and instructor.. pretty average for california.
I would expect prices to be slightly higher at a 141.. honesty yours seem lower than what I have seen 😂
ltcterry@reddit
Yes you should switch. Twice a week is plenty. Why didn’t you think about these numbers before you started?
Certain_Smell_5161@reddit (OP)
I did, the drive + traffic of the other location is brutal in my part of California and only a $150 difference in daily instruction.
ltcterry@reddit
From $500 to $350 is a hefty reduction.
Twice a week at the cheaper school takes you from $1500/week to $700. That’s serious money.
Certain_Smell_5161@reddit (OP)
I’m trying to get my PPL as soon as possible and I have no other crazy responsibility’s atm. That’s why I’m doing 3 days a week.
bully-free@reddit
That’s pretty much bang on for rates. The good news is there is only so much dual time you need
FridayMcNight@reddit
$281/hr for plane and instructor is pretty normal for many parts of California. Maybe on the high side of average. Depends on where specifically.
As for "highly reputable airport" and "highly rated school," whoever told you those things is probably someone you shouldn't listen to in the future. They're nonsense. Nobody does school ratings, and nobody cares what field you fly out of.
Spirit_of_No_Face@reddit
Your numbers are normal for California.
Plane: $170 x 1.8 =$306.00 Instructor: $70 x 3 =$210.00
Total for 1.8 hours flight time with 3 hours total instruction = $516
Welcome to flying in the most expensive state!
garbagekr@reddit
That’s roughly what it cost me to do my PPL in LA
jet-setting@reddit
That probably sounds about right for your area and the lesson duration. 1.8 is a touch long for a first lesson, but at a busy airport or airspace it’s not unreasonable.
What are the specific rates? For instructor and airplane per hour?
buzzybootft@reddit
does it happen to be aiaa? 😂
Noobtastic14@reddit
I couldn't afford that, but some people can. I managed to get my PPL pt 61 for sub $10K in So.Cal. 🤷🏼
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I’m located in California at a pretty busy airport, I just started my PPL at a part 141 and highly rated school. and I just got my invoice for my first instruction and it ended up being $514 for 1.8 hours including ground, instructor and flight time. I have instruction 3 times a week. So that puts me at $1500 a week and $6k a month. Is this an absurd price to pay? I’m planning on completing my PPL In a 5 month time frame. There’s other schools around but they are all 50 mins away and only $150 daily difference while this school is only 20 mins and is at a highly reputable airport and school. my budget was around 25-28k is this reasonable? Should I switch ? Any words would be helpful. Thank you!
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