Hey everyone! Thanks for all of the support! Make sure you check out my other videos on my channel about my life as a corporate pilot. The amount of future young aviators reaching out for advice has been very cool!

After my tour of duty in late '72 (and I'd saved everything I could while in) I came home and paid $5 for an introductory flight. When I asked how much the Private Pilot course was they said $635 so I asked if they wanted cash or would they take a check. When they found out I was a veteran they went out of their way to accelerate the training! For the next couple of months I was driving a cotton picker for my family as it was a very wet year then began pilot training in March of '73. By January '75 I had my first full-time flying job with a bank. By October I was in the right seat of a jet. Career span was 45 years of which the last 23 were expat (12 type-ratings / 98 countries / 22 on the African continent). At this time I'm waiting to hear from the FAA if they will reinstate my medical and if so I have two part-time contract gigs on a Gulfstream 650ER. You're the new generation and there is a lot of opportunity for you out there - God bless!

Bro uploaded the video in 2021 and said its for 2024 in 2023. Time traveller fs

I spent about $8000 in 2019-2020. Realize that the cost is usually spread out over a year or more...that makes a big difference. Also, I took out a personal loan for $8K when I started and put the money in a separate account that I used for flight training only. That meant that I never had to worry about whether I had the money for the lesson this week, it was in the account with its own debit card. Then, as I trained, I made payments on the loan and...I paid off the loan two months after I got my license. I spent a little more because of interest but I never had to worry whether the money was there for training.

My son is 14 almost 15. He's already in school to be a pilot. He's flying but always with an instructor. He can't get his ppl until he turns 17. But he absorbs everything, absolutely loves flying. He eventually wants to be a commercial pilot. The instructors are very impressed at how he absorbs it all both the flying & the school work.

I got my PPL almost 9 years ago for around $6500. I now have an instrument rating, commercial, and on the verge of my CFI rating. I don't know the total cost, but well North of 10X the PPL. It's been worth every penny!! I had to work second and third jobs to pay for it, but I was able to do it without barrowing a penny. If you want to do it bad enough, and are determined, you can make it happen. One of the most rewarding experiences of my life!!

I’ve been obsessed with planes and flying since I was a kid, and growing up on a farm I always loved watching the crop dusters do their thing. The local airport/flight school is right across from one of our fields and I always loved watching the planes take off right over my head when I was out working in that field. Always wanted to give it a shot and get my pilot’s license. It’s a big cost, but I think I’ll regret it if I don’t give it a shot.

Great video! Very well documented. I am so glad you included the discovery flight, because small aircraft are much different than what most people are used to, so definitely this is an opportunity to test drive before you buy.The only thing I can add based on 30 years of experience, The number one reason for students not completing their training is running out of money, and the number one reason for running out of money is gaps in the training which requires re-learning skills over and over again. I highly recommend to your audience, and to everyone who asks, to treat your flight training like a semester in college. Plan that it will cost you $10,000, plan for three sessions with an instructor per week, do your homework and study. If you do this, it is highly likely that in 3 to 4 months he will be certified by the FAA as a pilot!

So glad I stumbled on this video! I’ve been looking into starting some civilian flight training and this is an awesome breakdown of the costs to help me accurately budget out what I need to start this summer (I have some flight hours from military training but the minimum 40 hour cost will get me close to that 55-70 hour range). Much appreciated for the video, sir!

when I was in the Air Force, we would talk to our pilots about getting our private licenses, and generally, back in 2005 ish.. it was about $24k. And we all griped about how much it costed. And of course our officers would look at us crosseyed and say, "You have a $24k car in the dorm parking lot don't you?". Everyone has their own priorities...

Excellent video Evan. You've cleared up a lot of questions I've had for awhile, and a few questions i didn't know I had lol. Great job and safe flying. Jesse

I like how this video is so simple, to the point, informative. Perfect.

I loved training and flying to become a private pilot!! It’s an amazing experience! You become part of a new family! The Camaraderie between pilots is exponential. After I got my pilot license … I flew with friend that is also a pilot to Oshkosh!! Flying across this country from California to Wisconsin is an adventure in itself. This is what flying is all about… My learning experience that I can pass onto you is that you fly a minimum of 4 days a week and do your ground school the other 3 days. Do your reading, studying and homework religiously. This will save you the most money and you will get your license faster! See you in the skies !!!!

This was interesting. I got my ppl in the early 1970's. I was a high mileage driver here in Maine servicing the clients of my commercial insurance business. One day I had to drive 150 miles to Bangor and return for just a policy release signature...a terrible use of time. I looked into commercial flying and found that the time involved would give me no savings because of the airline routing (Portland to Boston to Bangor to Boston to Portland). So I figured that if I had my ppl I could save at least nine hours of travel. When I was in the Air Force I learned the basics of flying the Cessna 172 so I figure it would be simple even though that training was ten years before. I went to the Cessna Pilot Training Center at the airport, took a basic orientation flight which was free on that day, and decided to give it a shot. All my USAF basic flight training came right back as far as handling the aircraft. I had ended up being a GCI controller in the Air Force so the air traffic procedures and radio work was really second nature. I totalled the cost up and knew it was going to cost roughly $8000 to get my ppl: it was 1986. Then I learned something else that was really interesting. Private flying and general aviation was at a low point for Cessna at that time. Cessna Aircraft had a "special deal": if you got your license and bought a new Cessna airplane, Cessna would REFUND your total cost of learning to fly. AND as it happened, Cessna had a bunch of 172's in stock in Wichita. Better still, Cessna would finance your aircraft purchase at a really good interest rate (I've forgotten what it was, but it was CHEAP). So I did some fast thinking. I asked the Cessna franchise management if they would approach Cessna about doing the deal backwards. That is, would Cessna Aircraft sell me a new 172 FIRST, assuming that the flight training through their program would be INcluded in the purchase price? Then I would buy the airplane and complete my flight training in my own airplane saving the airplane rental cost and the cost of the ground training also, which had looked at around $8000 or so at the time. Cessna thought about my offer for about a week and then agreed. The only question was which airplane would I buy. I ended up with N99548, which was a blue striped Cessna 172 that was fully IFR certified. ( I new that truly safe business use of an airplane in Maine would mean requiring IFR certification). The cost of the airplane was right around $80,000 if memory serves and that included the private pilot flight training. There were of course, some other expenses involved such as the four place intercom system I had installed with "push to talk" on both yokes and a Loran system that I wanted as it would be simpler to fly my mostly VFR flights using the Loran. But I was in the airplane and ready to go in about two months from the time I knew that flying might be a good option for my business flying needs. Since I could legitimately argue that 90% of my flying that 172 was for business purposes and kept the logs to prove it, 90% of my flying and aircraft ownership was deducted against my income tax, so for the time I had the aircraft and used it, essentially I wrote it all off against income taxes. Not everyone could do that at the time but through the few years of my flying, the net cost of it all approached zero.

Another super helpful video! Thanks for breaking the costs down! :)

That was really helpful evan thank you!!

Just watched your first 2 videos in this series and they're incredible. Going into them, I had a ton of questions, and although you answered PPL ones to perfection, I really wish you were a commercial pilot so you could do more videos going through that process for further steps. Or even if you had a close friend you could interview to answer them. Potential content questions to answer: So how much time did each step of training take to get to next certificate/flight hour milestone/etc? What things worked best for increasing flight hours? What was best for preparing for the actual jobs? Finding jobs with just PPL to get tons of hours and experience in without breaking the bank? How much did it cost to train for each step? How did you cut costs from what they would have been? How hard were the written tests, and how much study went into it? Are there free good resources for the written exams? How many written exams and certificates are there, and what are the best free study resources? What does the physical actually entail for health? How long is it good for? I love the breakdown for type 1, 2, and 3, buy what do they actually entail? Do you have an example schedule from the past? What are short haul and long haul schedules like? Can you really see your family every night? How many hours did you work a month when short haul vs now? How many hours worked are flying vs on ground? Uniform- Recommendations for comfort? Inspections ever? Bang for buck vs comfort, what to go cheap on and all out on?

Nice job! The one thing I was told as a student was to go as often as you can. I was able to go 2x per week every week until I received my private in ~ 72-74 hrs. Luckily we had a mild winter that year in the Northeast. My flying buddy went 1x per week for 2 years with the same plane and instructor due to his financial circumstances, but going more often will save money in the long run. Good point on having the time and commitment! You will ha ha to learn more than you imagine you'll have to, so be prepared for that. You have to WANT it... I did and it was a labor of love. I've been flying for 25 years and can't imagine NOT knowing how to fly. THEN... travel to Oshkosh and realize YOU DID IT!!

Spectacular videos. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and the last. You answered so many questions I was curious about.

Had to come back and re watch to see the lighting set up. You did a pretty good job, didn't even really notice in the first watch. Haha. Good work.

I started flying on my 16th birthday. I took $200 dollars worth of lessons being 5 hrs $30 + $20 for instructor in the 150 Cessna. I had 2 $5 introduction lessons first and completed ground school and IFR. I was then ready for solo and bought a plane for $2500 from a airline Capt. Yes it was very inexpensive but I was prepared and had the books since the army where I got a lot of hours with rotary and fixed wing being with an Airborne unit. Flying has been my favorite passion followed by law enforcement and medicine about tied.

Great analysis! Though from my experience in MA and RI, most people get there PPL after around 70 hours. Most of them will be dual, and solo time will actually only be around 15 (3 hours solo in the pattern and within 25nm, 5 hours XC, and others are for normal/short/soft landing practices). Interesting to see that you are expecting 25-35 hours of solo! But I guess that depends on the location too. I'd imagine most instructors are less comfortable sending people for solo in C or beneath B airspaces.

Wow, great in depth video. thanks for answering so many questions!

Very comprehensive video. Helpful on my next steps to my PPL!

I received my solo certificate in the early 70's with 8.1 hours of instruction. I went and bought a PA-28-140 right after. The instructor never told me that I had to be within sight of the home airport. I flew six 200 mile trips before I found out otherwise. I've been flying for more than 50 years now. Things were different back then.

Everyone's experience is unique! Finally got my PPL this past November. Took me 130 hours due to the covid set back, switched flight schools twice, instructor availability etc etc etc - every setback in the book. All-in-all: $25k. Now, after two fatal accidents (one was one of my instructors) at my home airport in 9 months, I've decided to hang it up. Was a wonderful experience and I already miss it, but I've decided the risks involved just for a hobby aren't worth it for me. Own your journey, enjoy every minute of it and stay safe out there!

Thanks for the tips!

Great explanations good job !

Awesome video and a great breakdown. I took my discovery flight 9/29/2021 (which turned into my first lesson) and took my checkride 4/3/2022. With 41.5hrs walking into my checkride. I broke down the cost, and it ended up being $7,650 all said and done. This was a ton of self study (online ground school). Well worth every penny.

I had 51.3 hours in my book prior to passing my practical test. But 4 of those hours were for a solo cross country that didn’t count due to weather diversion. So I’m going to say I took my test at 47.3 hours. Test only took 1.1 hours

Awesome informational video thanks for sharing!!!

This was really helpful! Thank you!

Being a pilot for 20-plus years, I came over in 1996, only speaking very little English, and did my PPL at 45 hours and in 3 weeks with a part 61 flight school. It is all about commitment. I self-studied upfront to give me a bit of a head start. Overall I spend $1500 but that was at times when the instructor was 8 bucks an hour and the Cessna 150 could be rented for a block rate of $34 an hour. But I can't drive enough home that if you are committed and set a few weeks aside, even today it is possible to achieve this in a rather short amount of time. Trying to do this on the side, I agree with the mentioned numbers. And stay away from course programs that only let you advance if you pass certain milestones in my opinion this is more in the interest of the flight school and not in the interest of the student.

Excellent analysis, Evan! Our Foundation has been giving scholarships and tracking costs for many years, and your figures are right on the Money (Joke!) In our experience, the biggest cost saving tactic is to fly 2-3 times a week and do homework. That way your learning curve maintains its ascent and you'll get to your goal with fewer hours. Also, some clubs will give you a discount on rentals if you join the club, even as a student.

Thanks for making this video, it’s the best I’ve found talking about realistic costs and is more comprehensive than the numbers I’ve gotten from flight schools and private pilots in the past. I’ve wanted to get a PPL since I was a kid, but now in my mid 20s I’m not there financially yet. I’m currently in school getting a Class A CDL, which in many ways mirrors the PPL time line; class room time, DOT medical, permit test, behind the wheel time, driving test. It’s just less hours and under $6000usd. When I am ready to finally go for the PPL, I think I’ll make sure to have about 16k-18k set aside in an account, if I’ve got left overs when I finish my PPL, well that’s just bonus rental hours to give family and friends rides.

Love the numbers that were throw out immediately. Quickly to the point and addressed the topic of information prior to speaking. Great video 🤝🏼

Oh my, how things have changed over the years. Back in 1956 I was employed at Sarasota/Bradenton airport and had a few lessons in an Aeronca Champ with a great instructor. At the time it was $12.00 per hour with instructor and $9.00 per hour solo ! Should have probably stayed with it given what the cost is now. Still have my log book for memories.

I obtained my PPL at 43 hours, around 9-10k total, all depends on your efficiency on training and how quick you pick up things.

Very informative video!!

wow very interesting experience friend

Well done Evan - excellent concise summary on this subject. Actually my time is perhaps the bigger issue. While enjoyable, the training pilot might have a significant cost for their time (think driving back and forth to an airport - especially if it is some distance away.

My nephew just completed getting his PPL and you are correct about the dollar signs , but his training doesn't stop there because he is now training to be a commercial pilot and flying the Big birds !! Very proud of him !!

@Evan Luft love all your videos there so informative 😀

This video was very informative, thanks for putting this together!

Hey Love your videos. Just to conclude, can you make video on career prospects of holding a PPL, how beneficial it would be in terms of ROI.

As Step # 0 before spending anything on ground school, etc. I recommend getting a complete DOT/FAA physical. If you find there's something wrong with your medical it could put the kibosh on any certificate issuance. And it doesn't hurt to make sure you're OK anyway as the more thorough FAA medical can function as your regular checkup.

Great video just subscribed

Thanks for your class ! From Brazil !

Did mine in 57.2 hrs. Cost $12,590. Finished in 3 month. Trained 3-4 times a week. Great video!

I obtained my private pilot certificate at a part 141 school which has a minimum of 35 total hours and I passed the checkride at about 37 hours and ended up leaving about 8,000 dollars at the school but with insurance and all the other supplies as well as transportation to the airport (not to mention that was an hour and 15 minutes drive) I would say I spent around 10,000 dollars!

Very well explained, thank you for all the details... 1 new subscriober here 🤙😎

Thank you brother. I seen your videos before. It just been a while. Excellence.

I obtained my license 5 years ago and did it in 3 months, less than 50 hours and spent just under $6,000, It can be done if you find the right instructor/plane.

I’ve been thinking 💭 about getting a pilots license because as kid 🧒I had a relative that would take me on his trips and would let me fly the plane with supervision of course. Anyway he taught me how to fly a plane ✈️ without all of the schooling to get an actual license. He was a retired LT. Colonel from the US Air Force for 16 years. He flew for American Airlines for 20 years and flew airplanes until he passed away at 75. Anyway he gave me a love of aviation.

Thanks for the candor.

Cool, thanks for the information.

I did my in 42 hours. It’s very durable in this 40-45 hrs range. One thing that most likely made me succeed was that i trained at least 3 hrs a week. If it wasn’t windy (above 20 mph) or raining i was in the sky. Ground school was fairly straight forward and I did it at my own pace. Written test was a pretty easy. it only took me 30 min. I was the first person done and I remember they lady tell me that she seen many people speed though but never pass. I missed 2 questions. I think I pretty much memorized my Cessna training book. Bottom line if you want to learn to fly you have to dedicate to this and only this or you will be one of those person that it takes 60-70 hrs. Ouch said you pocket book. Good luck and have fun while learning! Cost 35 per hour for C152 (wet) and 15 per hour for instructor in 90’s. Total $2000 +/-

My $.02. Your flight instructor has a HUGE influence over your costs. My recommendation is to choose a seasoned, retired instructor. Even if scheduling with them is difficult and often frustrating due to weather (primary factor) and his or her scheduling conflicts. Why? Because young, aspiring pilot instructors will drop you like a hot potato if they get an offer to take the next step in THEIR flight career, leaving you to find another instructor at your school and having to spend (spend, spend, spend) more time and money establishing yourself with your new instructor. I was dumped 3 times in my pursuit of my PPL at an estimated cost of an additional 9 or 10 hours doing standard maneuvers. Eventually I went to the head of the school and warned him that I am not a cash cow and would seek another training facility if it happens once more. They know your passion, that you'll bend a little to get what you want, but be firm and always be polite, with your school.

Great video, thanks

Great job explaining brother 👏 👍 Love the fact that you put Canada in there most videos don't so thank you.

Thank you very much. I've always wondered about that.

Even, thank you for such informational videos.

thank you for this video 😊 u answered all my questions

Thank you for the information.

nice video man, Learning ...

Thank You!

Thank you for your time to make this video. I. Looking into this very thing

My first aircraft I owned was a 1949 Bellanca Cruisair Senior. I sold it back around 2005. That plane went on to win best classic award at the EAA in 2007. For a 1949 aircraft it was fast and nice. It was a tail dragger. Loads of fun to fly.

Thanks for sharing

Outstanding video!!!!

Great video and best first name!

GREAT VIDEO!!!! I love you uncle evan! Hope to see you soon! -MAYA

I work for a local FBO one of my ex-pilot colleagues suggested joining a flight club that every member puts in a portion for hanger and maintenance cost for airplanes making rental and instructor costs lowered combined with an online training course online this should lower the cost exponentially. I'm about to begin my adventure not sure what is required to pass the medical exam, but wish me luck! Thanks for the vids dropped a sub brotha!

Very informative and well delivered. With the high cost of flight training now it would take a high level of commitment, as you pointed out, passion for flying to justify $15,000 just to achieve the first step in an aviation career. Because with the new rules regarding part 121 crew certificating requirements, i.e. first officers needing to hold an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, the cost to get to that level would probably run $100,000 or more. I was very fortunate to have earned my certificates in the early 1970's when it was much less expensive. Downright cheap actually. I believe the Cessna 150 was $5.00 per hour wet at the Air Force base flying club where I was stationed. That was the catalyst for a 35+ year aviation career that I enjoyed immensely. Best of life to all the fledgling pilots answering the call of flight.

Thank You for breaking it down for Us.

Great video, thanks.

I got my Private Pilot certificate in August 1973. It took 53 hours and $726 total. You could also buy a brand new base model 1973 VW Beetle Sedan for $1780 back then. I used my VA school benefits, while I was serving my four years in the Marine Corps, to complete my Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, Flight Instructor and Instrument Flight Instructor training which left me $400 out of the $10,000 allotted. The VA paid 90% of all my bills. Pretty much I flew from MCAS Cherry Point, NC to my home near NAS Willow Grove, PA round trip (500 miles each way) for around $33 out of my pocket. If you happen to be a veteran with no intention of going to college you might want to check into it. By the way, when I stopped Flight Instructing and had to get a Biennial flight review every two years I used most of my VA balance of $400 to get a Sea Plane rating. That was only 5 hours. Most of it was learning how to move a plane in the water.

Awesome content man. Very useful! Question/Suggestion: what are your opinions on getting a bachelor's degree vs a specialized private flight school?

My wife wants to try flight training. I’m glad I found this and have a general idea of cost. We don’t have alot of free time but I’m hoping soon that she can focus on it.

Not many people make it on the minimal hours required and in fact you could be up for double if things are not going well. Also it depends a lot on the flight school. If you end up with brand new instructors and have only just got their instructors rating and even CPL then that will make a big negative difference to your training...

Great video. You nailed it. I would emphasize that students must plan to thoroughly immerse themselves in the training process which, among other things, requires a commitment to study and a commitment to fly regularly. Students that don’t make that commitment will, at best, drag the process out and add a whole lot to the bottom line cost. Generally, however, students that don’t commit just don’t make it. The dropout rate for primary students is very high…in the order of 60%-70%. Some drop out because they find that flying is not what they expected….some because they are unable (work, kids, finances) or unwilling to make the commitment. Whatever the reason, flying is not a casual endeavor. You can’t just dip your toe in the water and hope for the best. But, again, great summary. We’ll done.

Would love to learn, and my favorite is the Avanti turbo prop.. one-day!!!

I’m amazed at the cost of flight training today. I go my private in 1972, my commercial in 1974, instrument 1974 and multi in 1975. When I started a Cherokee 140 was $20/hr wet. My multi was obtained in Florida on an Apache that was so old I think it was serial number 1. This cost $50/hr for 5 hours plus the check ride which was $50 plus an hour’s rental for a total of $350! I can remember the instructor asking the examiner if he was going to shut an engine down to which he replied “I’m not going to sit in that thing with one engine feathered!”

100% bang right on!!!!!

I am nose diving into this career. I've done 10 years worth of military, law enforcement & investigations careers. I'm ready to finally chase after my dreams of saving every penny for this moment. Thanks for the clear layout on costs. What are you recommendations for once I get my PPL, Instrument Rating and other certifications? (I know I'm way ahead of my self but I'm still planning my new career path)

“Thanks mom n dad for the support”. Let that marinate. Love from Nobekaw, Ghana 🇬🇭

gotta chase your dreams and hope the bag comes along the way 🤷🏼‍♀️

Can you do a video on the full annual costs to maintain a PPL?

Thank you

Paid $4 for instructor and $7 for the Luscombe and then graduated to a Cessna 150 that was $10/hr. Going one hour took me 76 hours, slow learner. For the comm and instru. I went every day. What a difference that made. Bought a Twin Comanche for $12,000 and it included the instructor for the ME rating.

Thanks sir, for this information Great Video

So, the subject got my attention, but I stayed for the subtitles. OMG I haven't laughed that hard in years....and it just kept coming!!

Got my private oct 31 1966 mostly in a 150 and 172.. with everything in your video included it was about $850. From Midway airport in Chicago where they had 2 commercial flights daily so we had all the iLS at our disposal

I started my training Jan 1990 at age 19 and got my ticket in April 1992 at age 21. I had a long delay because I was sick and it took me 6 months to fully recover and I had to take some time to get back in the swing of things. I paid for this out of my own pocket and I was checked out in 5 different models before i got my private ticket. Final numbers for this PP SEL, 3900 dollars and it was done in 67 hours. Man, I wish planes rented as cheap today as they did back in those days! It also helped that I worked at the FBO where the flight school was located at and I got an employee discount on the plane rentals.

Nice video! Although here on the west coast check rides start around $7-800 and go as high as $1000-$1200. Ha!

Favorite aircraft is the one that isn't crashing... lol. Great video. $65 per hour wet for a 172 back in 1985. I remember the old guys quoting $20 for a 152.

excellent information

Wow, how times have changed, I received my ticket in 1978 and a 152 rented for $15.00 hr. and a 172 for $21.00hr ,both wet. Instructor went for 5 or 6 bucks an hr. It took 42 hr. when I went for my check ride and a total cost of $950.00 for my pvt. License. (The good old days )

Excellent review. You're on spot. My Daughter has an Angel's Kiss between her brows. I consider it a great blessing.

Geez! I got my PPL in Wichita back in about 1968/67. I learned in a Piper Cherokee PA140. Cost was $15 solo and $25 dual as I recall.