Private Pilot Training cost?

[Firemanhouston]

Given the fall in automotive gas prices recently, should I expect to see a decrease in the cost of obtaining a license in the near future? If a price decrease is expected in the next 3-6 months will it make a significant difference in the overall cost to complete training?

 

[Jim Logajan]

Ten thousand dollars. Ten thousand dollars. OMG, ten thousand dollars.

Assume a rental costs $100/hr.
Assume the average student takes 75 hours[1].
Assume 60 hours are flown dual with a CFI who charges $35/hr.

75hrs*$100/hr + 60hrs*$35/hr = $9600

Now add in all other expenses....

[1] https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/deaf_pilot/training/
"Though the regulations require a minimum of 40 hours flight time, in the U. S. the average number of hours for persons without a hearing impairment completing the private pilot certification requirements is approximately 75 hours."

 

[Jim Logajan]

60 hours of dual for a PP? Unless you have a medical condition that delayed your solo significantly past 25 hrs, if you need 60 hrs to solo, you need to be doing something different.

I didn't intend for my guesstimate to mean that it took 60 hours of dual to reach solo followed by 15 hours of solo; solo could have taken place at 20 hours, followed by solo time interspersed with dual time.

I think if you go check most log books, the bulk of the training time, regardless of the total hours needed to a passed checkride, is mostly dual time. I'd guess roughly 80% to 85% would be dual.