Private Pilots Instruction Rates?

[Dadano]

I'm interested in procuring a PPL. I'm thinking of going through  these guys.
What is the going rate for instruction hourly where you are at?
I'm assuming you have to rent the plane and buy the gas as well. What kind of number am I looking at for an hour of instructed flight time?

Thanks.

[TwentyFo]

I rent planes based on an hourly basis. All hourly costs include full fuel. Remember in most instances instruction is compounded on top of the hourly fee. I live in Omaha, NE and fly out of Council Bluffs, IA.

Here are the hourly rates from Advanced Air Council Bluffs:

Cessna 150: $67/hour

Cessna 172: ranges from $73 to $106/hour (rates include the age of the aircraft, as well as the equipment in the aircraft i.e. gps, autopilot, etc.)

I do not have the information for the rates for private pilot instruction. However, the rates for instrument instruction is $33/hour. An educated guess would put private pilot instruction at around $25/hour. So for an hour of instruction with airplane would cost around $110-$140...depending on the aircraft. In order for you to get your license, Part 61, you will probably log anywhere from 40-70 hours.

Also, you may want to look into whether Part 61 or Part 141 training is suited for you. Part 61 and 141 all lead to a private pilot license, they just take a little different path to get to the same result. In short, Part 61 requires more flight time, but involves a lot less paperwork. Part 141 requires less flight time, but is a lot more strict about logging ground instruction and documenting other aspects. Part 141 involves a series of stage checks. It is somewhat complicated and confusing, so I'll stop there. Wherever you train be sure to inquire about part 61 and 141 training.

Good luck, keep us updated on your progress.

[Chairboy]

In Santa Monica (roughly equivalent to Boeing field) I paid $50 an hour for a CFI.  In Creswell (roughly equivalent to Harvey) I paid $30 an hour for a CFI.  The numbers TwentyFo quoted are very very reasonable.  

...and as such, you should expect higher pretty much anywhere else.

[Gixer]

Amazing how cheap fixed wing is. When I was doing my Helicopter PPL rates for H300 solo $300 and duel $360 (NZD) per hour. H500 was $650 (NZD) and I think the Jet Ranger was near $800 (NZD).

And that was back in the mid 90's hate to think what the rates are now. Anyway the price you pay to for the hotness.


...-Gixer

[Shuffler]

Hotness??? With a big fan over your head??  

[cav58d]

It really all depends on where you go, who you use and what you are flying.

In my opinion, you don't need to go fancy, nor do I think you should for your PPL.  People will try and sell you on a Garmin 430+ or dare I say a full G1000 set up, but its just not necessary IMO.  You will be paying out of your arse for it.  K.I.S.S.  An Acronym you will learn to love in aviation.  Keep It Simple Stupid.

With the cost of fuel prices right now, I would look for a place renting block hours at a wet rate.  It will be the most cost effective.

In regards to instructor rates, it's really hard to answer.  You could have a 15+ year master CFI charging $60/hour, or a wet ticket cfi charging $25/hour.  The best thing you can do is INTERVIEW both of them, and see who better suits YOU.  A big reason people end up paying a lot more money than they expected during flight training is because they pick a CFI that they aren't compatible with.

goodluck, and theres a good amount of pilots on this board to give you information.

PM me if you need any books.  I was planning on putting all of mine on EBAY, but if you may need some, I will give you first dibs.

[TwentyFo]

Originally posted by Gixer
Amazing how cheap fixed wing is. When I was doing my Helicopter PPL rates for H300 solo $300 and duel $360 (NZD) per hour. H500 was $650 (NZD) and I think the Jet Ranger was near $800 (NZD).

And that was back in the mid 90's hate to think what the rates are now. Anyway the price you pay to for the hotness.


...-Gixer

Were all the helicopters you trained on turbine?

[REP0MAN]

Huey rates in AZ....

http://www.universalheli.com/Training.asp#Commercial

Fixed Wing rates in AZ....

http://www.westwindaviation.com/Professional%20Pricing.htm

-or-

Just make your own

[Gixer]

Originally posted by TwentyFo
Were all the helicopters you trained on turbine?

I wish! Though there were a couple rich sorts that did all their training in a H500 and then on to BK117's

I did all my PPL hours in H300, I had to pay for 5 hours Duel in the H500 to get my type rating, think in total including turbine theory,hours and check flight H500 cost me about 5k. After that I just scabed free hours where ever and how ever I could for either ratings, which meant travelling around the country a bit.

This was all paid for by living with folks,running around on a 400cc motorbike and working 3 jobs for almost 2 years. My dates use to be cheap in those days.


...-Gixer

[Gixer]

Originally posted by Shuffler
Hotness??? With a big fan over your head??  

And nearly 500hp behind your back

Other then bikes most fun I've ever had.


...-Gixer

[Dadano]

Thanks for the input guys. That local outfit does give a 10% discount for blocked hours, so that's looking good. Cav, as soon as I know what texts I need I'll get at you via PM. Will keep you gents posted. Thanks again.

[Gixer]

Dadano,

All the best, only bit advice I'd have is that if your looking at going commerical try and train with an outfit that also does commercial charter work etc. And has a strong reputation for putting students through to C-CAT,ATPL and eventually commerical work.

Good Luck!


...-Gixe

[Chairboy]

Dadano, suggestion: Put 5 or so hours under your belt with this outfit first to make sure you like how they do stuff.  If you buy a 10 hour block and THEN find out that they're crap on ice, then you either lose a thousand bucks or have to suffer through 10 crappy hours with an organization you don't like.  The extra few bucks an hour in the beginning might be a good investment, I've heard of folks being burned by blocks because they charged in.

[Kermit de frog]

Originally posted by Dadano
Thanks for the input guys. That local outfit does give a 10% discount for blocked hours, so that's looking good. Cav, as soon as I know what texts I need I'll get at you via PM. Will keep you gents posted. Thanks again.

Dano, good luck with this project of yours.  Don't give up and don't run out of money!

I did and never got back into it.  I've not had the financial support for this luxery ever since.  I stopped after barely reaching 10 hours flying.  Took a few ground school courses for a few weeks.  Ah now I remember, life got too busy as well and taking a long break really was my first downfall.

I flew twice a week.  Once on Sundays and once on Wednesdays.  I could only afford to do it twice a week.  Only 3 or 4 days between flights was working for me.  My instructor wasn't the right person for me, as I felt very uncomfortable with him.  I also think he wasn't very good at "teach", but he did seem to know his stuff.  That company also fired a few individuals for reports of missing money.  They always smilied and joked whenever I'd play them...

[Wolfala]

Dano,


Most important thing - DON'T run out of money or think you can do it on the cheap. With todays prices, budget $10,000 for getting through the checkride. Plan on 60-70 hours in the plane at around $160 per hour including the instructor.

I disagree with others regarding finding WET rates - at $5 per gallon, there is no reason to be motoring along at full blast. If you find a dry rate, you pay for what you use and you gas up where it is less expensive.

For the Bay Area, we look at around $60-70 per hour for the instructor, $90 for the aircraft + buying gas wherever you can that is cheap. Then again, this isn't the cheapest area of the country, but then neither is Seattle.