Cost
One of the most common questions asked is, What will it cost to get a private pilot’s license? That’s a great question and one that doesn’t have a definitive answer. The short answer is $9,386.60 if you can obtain your license in the minimum required flight time outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration which is 40 hours. The national average is between 70 and 80 hours so we estimate the average cost that our students are spending to obtain their license is approximately $9,000-$10,000. See below for a cost breakdown of the typical private pilot’s license course. This price does not include renter’s insurance (or non-owned aircraft insurance) which can be purchased quite affordably and offers the student/renter aircraft damage and liability protection.
Price Breakdown:
| 20 Hours Dual Flight Instruction (FAA minimum requirement) | |
| Airplane 175.79 (hour/wet) | $3515.80 |
| Instructor $40.00 hour | $800.00 |
| 20 Hours Solo Time (FAA minimum requirement) | |
| Airplane 175.79 (hour/wet) | $3515.80 |
| Private Pilot Kit (logbook, FAR/AIM, manuals & DVD Ground School Course) | $385.00 |
| Aviation Headset | $355.00 |
| FAA Medical Exam (completed by Aviation Medical Examiner – AME) | $150.00 |
| Written Exam Fee (certified testing center) | $165.00 |
| FAA Examiner Checkride Fee (private party) | $500.00 |
| Approximate Total for Private Pilot’s License | $9386.60 |
**Rates as of August 2022 and subject to change based on the market price of fuel and supplies.
For more information or to ask any questions that you may have, please email mpratt@louisvilleaviation.com