FAQ
Answers to the most common student questions. If you have any additional questions, please contact us!
An average flight training block of 3 hours will involve approximately 30-minutes of pre-flight inspection, 15-minutes of post-flight tie down and securement of the airplane, and 15 to 30-minutes of debrief. This means that the average training block will incorporate no more than about 1.5 to 2 hours, maximum, of actual flying time.
It is recommended, for efficiency of time, to schedule 3 to 4 training blocks per week, expecting that at least 1 may have to be cancelled for weather, airplane maintenance, illness, or other reasons. A pilot who flies twice each week will likely be ready for their check ride in 5 months. A pilot who flies three times per week is likely to be ready for their check ride in 3-4 months.
Colorado weather is unpredictable and training during late Winter, Spring, and mid-Summer is likely to see numerous weather-related cancellations.
Some programs may offer a fixed price to become a pilot or to obtain a specific rating, however, even those usually have caveats for additional training requirements, above a certain amount. To obtain a Private Pilot certificate, a MINIMUM of 40 hours of flight training. In reality, most students require a good deal of training more than this minimum, in order to be prepared for the practical test and more important, to be a safe pilot. Typically, many students gain the required proficiency in the 60-70 hour range of their training, some more and some less.
The cost of training varies with the training aircraft selected and the price of the instruction. For example, the training aircraft offered through Summit Wings Aviation vary from $130-150 per hour (including fuel and oil). Training for an initial private pilot certificate costs $50 per hour. As such, a student who chooses the cheaper plane and completes their training in 60 hours will spend $10,800, whereas a student who trains in the more expensive plane and completes their training in 70 hours would spend $14,000. There are additional costs, however, the airplane rental and instruction are the majority of those expenses.
There is no defined number of hours and this amount varies from student to student. To reduce the amount of training time spent re-training, students are strongly encouraged to schedule and maintain a consistent training schedule. Long breaks in training will often require additional training to review past training and to regain currency.
In addition to the cost of flight instruction, there are several other expenses to consider when working toward your private pilot certificate. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you plan:
Required Expenses
Medical Certificate: Before your first solo flight, you’ll need to obtain an FAA Medical Certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). This typically costs around $200, paid directly to the doctor. You can find an AME using the FAA locator: FAA AME Locator.
Non-Owned Aircraft Rental Insurance: To meet club minimums of $10,000 per incident for aircraft coverage, it’s recommended to have a non-owned rental insurance policy. This generally costs between $200-300 per year, with Avemco being a popular choice. This insurance is required before your first solo flight.
Check Ride Fees: The FAA check ride (practical test) is your final step to becoming a licensed pilot. Costs vary depending on the examiner, typically ranging from $700 to $1,500, and are paid directly to the examiner. Additionally, you will need to rent the aircraft for the check ride, which typically costs around $130 to $150 per hour.
Recommended Purchases
Books and Study Materials
These are essential for your studies and can be found on Amazon at competitive prices. You’ll need:
Current year FAR/AIM (ASA Publications)
Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA Publication)
Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA Publication)
Tools for Study, Cross-Country Planning, and Check Ride
E6B/Flight Computer (mechanical or electronic) for navigation calculations.
Plotter: The ASA rotating plotter is recommended for easier use.
Paper Charts: While your EFB (Foreflight) will keep digital charts up to date, it’s good to have one or two paper charts for backup. A Denver Sectional is essential, and a Cheyenne Sectional can also be helpful.
Headset: A good headset is a must as you progress in your training. While I have one you can use early on, you’ll want your own for long-term use. Options include:
Passive noise-canceling: David Clark H10 ($350)
Active noise-canceling with optional Bluetooth: Lightspeed Zulu or Bose A20/A30 ($900-1,200)
iPad for Situational Awareness: While not required, an iPad is strongly recommended for situational awareness, planning, and contingencies. The iPad Mini is a great size for use in the cockpit. I encourage having one before your first solo flight.
Foreflight or Garmin Pilot Software: These apps are essential for navigation and flight planning. Most pilots use Foreflight, which is widely accepted in the industry. Subscriptions range from $10-30/month, and the basic plan is more than sufficient to get started.
ADS-B Input Device: An ADS-B receiver like the Foreflight Sentry or Garmin GDL ($500-800) connects to your iPad to provide real-time traffic, weather, and backup instrumentation. This is highly recommended for your first solo cross-country flights, though I can lend you mine if needed.
Ground School and Home Study: To prepare for the FAA written exam, I recommend using an online ground school. I’m a proponent of King Schools and I am a reseller of their software. However, there are other good options, so explore what suits your learning style. If you decide to go with King Schools, let me know.
Estimated Total Costs: While expenses vary based on individual choices, expect to budget an additional $2,000 to $3,500 beyond flight training hours to cover these essentials. Planning ahead will help you manage costs effectively and ensure you’re fully prepared for your journey to becoming a pilot.
If you have any questions or need personalized recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you every step of the way!
Summit Wings is proudly aligned with Centennial Flyer, as a great way to offer numerous aircraft for students to learn to fly and progress their skills. Centennial Flyers is located at the Centennial Airport (KAPA) in Englewood, Colorado.
For students who own their aircraft, I am willing to travel to meet you where your airplane is located. Travel expenses may apply, outside of (KBJC, KAPA, KLMO, KBDU, or KEIK).
Through our partnership with Centennial Flyers, we have access to the most popular trainer aircraft, such as the Cessna 152 and 172 or the Piper Archer. For more advanced training and those students seeking more advanced endorsements (such as complex and high performance), the club has a great selection of aircraft. To see the current fleet, visit the Centennial Flyers website.
Flight training can start at any age, however, a student pilot certificate can be obtained as early as the student’s 16th birthday. The student pilot certificate will be required for the student to engage in the solo flight requirements of the Private Pilot certificate training. To obtain a Private pilot certificate, the applicant must be 17 years of age at the time they apply. All training requirements could be met at this point and the pilot can apply as early as their 17th birthday. Other requirements include the ability to obtain an FAA medical certificate, to read, write, and speak the English language, and to pass the FAA knowledge and practical tests.
While U.S. citizens who prove their identity with an unexpired U.S. Passport or a Birth Certificate AND government issued photo identification can start training without any additional verifications of eligibility, non-citizens may also obtain flight training. For non-citizens to begin flight training, they must first obtain clearance from the Transportation Security Administration, through the Flight Training Security Program. Non-citizens are permitted to partake in Discovery Flights before their FTSP approval is returned, however, no flight training is permitted to occur.