3 days ago you posted this video. 3 days ago I did my very first discovery in Schaumburg and confirmed that I am definitely going for my PPL now. Nice video man !
Awesome to hear! The discovery flight is such an exciting step to take in your flight training process, it makes everything seem so real. How much flying did you get to do? And good luck in your training!
Hey all! Didn’t realize the traction beneath this comment. Sorry! I did my discovery with revv in Schaumburg, Sept ‘24. Greattttt people. I really enjoyed my instructor. I think his name was Trevor. He made my introduction to flying so enjoyable. I ended up going with a school further south. D14 aviation partners with governors state to offer a program through the GSU extended learning programs . It’s a lot closer for me and overall, logistically is better. Did a discovery here and had a chance to “interview” the staff. I think I’ll do well here. I’ll officially start in April ‘25. Hope this helps someone.
This was an awesome video. I just quit my job of 26 years and cashed out my 401(k) to get my commercial and hopefully fly for the last part of my life. I did my discovery flight 12/31/24 and I have about 4-5 hours flight time so far. I'm tracking all my expenses and plan to do a video like yours at each step along the way. The school is working with me and I'm trying to fly 5 days a week if they can accommodate. It's been a blast so far! I highly recommend Sporty's and the Plane English app to learn radio chatter. I also really like the BOSE A30 headset. It's pricey but as my instructor said "You'll be using it a lot. Get the best one you can." Plane rental and instructor are $245 an hour at my school. They quoted me $12-15,000 for the PPL and a total of $65,000ish for PPL plus commercial. Thanks again for the video!
@@hawaiianboy1743 I'm located in North West Louisiana. The school is called Neu Aviation. The quote for PPL was 12.5K to 15K and their multiengine rating is a flat 6K. Hope that helps.
Almost no one will finish with 40 hours. You did great finishing with 52 hours with the current average in the 60-70 hour range today - especially in a towered, complicated airspace
Agreed! It’s very hard to finish at the minimum requirements. Just not feasible unless you’re doing some sort of accelerated program. I was proud finishing at 52 hours! It’s important to remember it doesn’t matter how long it takes you, everyone learns and retains at a different pace. Getting your PPL is an accomplishment no matter what!
@@StingrayAlex For sure! The 40hr minimum never really considered the need to learn ATC and radio work that's essential in most of the country today. I had 81hrs going into my checkride, but I also couldn't take the checkride until my 17th birthday
@@planeplaces that’s a good point! I really appreciated doing my training at a busy towered airport, makes you super comfortable on the radios by default. Would suggest a towered field to anyone! And congrats on the 81 hours, that’s a ton of great experience.
We followed a very similar path. I also chose to pursue my aviation dream as a hobby. I did Pilot Institute all the way through before starting. I started flying with Pcola Air in July 2023 flying once every week or two, soloed at 17 hours in December, and did my Checkride in August 2024 right at 60 hours. I also kept meticulous track of my costs, including equipment, ground school, insurance, foreflight subscription, and test/checkride fees. I calculated it to just over 19,000. I flew more hours which is why mine is higher, I went from 43 hours to 60 in the last month and a half flying two or three times a week to really feel ready for checkride. It sounds like a lot and it is, but what made it possible for me was good finances, and side jobs. I live on my paycheck so I put all my side work in a separate account for flying, and worked enough side jobs to fund roughly one flight a week. I think anyone with a decent full time job, a frugal lifestyle and a way to make extra income could fund an aviation dream.
It sounds like your path was very similar to mine like you said! I bet a lot of people pursue aviation as a hobby like we did and appreciate the insight. It isn’t cheap hobby, but I don’t regret it one bit!
Thanks for the comment. I wish I got my license back in 2015. Would have been nice! But in this video I just wanted to lay out all of the costs to get your PPL for everyone that doesn’t know. Some might think it’s cheap, some might thinks it’s expensive! It’s all perspective.
I'm not sure what's "shocking" about these costs since they're what most would consider "below average" for most students who spread their training out over months rather than take a more intensive route. It's nice to see a detailed breakdown of your actual costs, tho. Did those tabs in the FAR/AIM actually help with anything? I'm wondering if the increased use of AI will make it easier to have a tablet where you can just ask a question and get the answer displayed. I know you can have the book with you, but what about using a tablet instead?
Thanks for the comment! Fair point, however, this video caters to folks interested in starting their aviation journeys with little to no knowledge of the process or the cost of getting a Private Pilot Certificate. In that case, some of these costs may be “shocking.” The tabs in the FAR/AIM were actually a HUGE help. Going through the book and tabbing each of the individual regs allowed me to not only learn the regs themselves, but to get familiar with how to look them up quickly and where to find them during the check ride. I’d highly recommend it. As you may know, the check ride is open book if you need it, so having the regulations tabbed is a “cheat code” in a way where you can quickly flip to one and answer a question.
It’s a great work perk! I didn’t know about it at first, and it definitely helped push me to finally start flying lessons. As far as I know, once you purchase the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course you have that content for life. Which is cool in case you ever want to go back and do any review.
Hi, thanks for the comment and question! If you’re scared or nervous about flying in a small single engine plane, I’d for sure recommend talking to a pilot and asking any questions you may have. You can talk with an instructor and hopefully they can make you more comfortable. Then do a Discovery Flight, they’ll take you up for your first time and you can get your feet wet. To solo it takes usually 10+ flight hours. The check ride requires 40 hours minimum, but most people average probably somewhere in the 50 range.
Agreed! An awesome perk I didn’t even know existed. But once I did, had to jump on the opportunity. Great financial assistance. Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed.
I didn’t know it was possible to reduce cost doing the ground school by yourself purchasing online courses. The question is, will it be accepted and discounted from ppl program when I go to the school?!
That’s a very good question! If by school you mean an official flight program or a college/university, I would definitely check to verify. If you’re just going to a flight school at a local airport, using an online ground school like I did to supplement your training can help a ton and really save money. Being able to watch the training videos and take notes on your own time, even if you’re going to learn the same things from a flight program, can really help you stay ahead and excel in whatever program you choose.
Hi thank you for your video I am thinking to get sporty class as well. Does this deluxe comes with new edition of books? It seems book cover old edition the picture on the website, Far/Aim books looks like 2025 but phak and afh looks old edition Is phak book cover Brown color?
Hi, thank you for the comment! I’d imagine with a purchase of Sporty’s Deluxe Learn to Fly course you’d get updated copies of the FAR/AIM. However I’m not sure the textbooks are still being updated regularly. You can always get updated electronic copies on the FAA’s website shall you find what you purchased goes out of date.
@ what about your book? Did you receive your phak and handbook cover with brown color? or blueish color? Because i already made purchase books but thinking to return and buy these duluxe package
I’m currently traveling for the holidays so I don’t have access to my books, but I can let you know! I believe my PHAK is the one with the brownish/red cover. And the AFH is the blue clouds cover. The textbooks list the edition in the top right of the cover so you can always check with the FAA website on what is most current. I’d definitely recommend the Deluxe course! You get a ton for the money and the online interface is awesome.
Hi, thanks for the comment. Here’s a link to the Sporty’s Deluxe Learn to Fly course, it’ll detail everything that’s included with your purchase. www.sportys.com/sporty-s-deluxe-learn-to-fly-course-kit-online-app-and-tv.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqeuYUALLWelw2m3cCIHbr7tIuiXmhlXc8rG4qvRrfxMejNtb2G
Hi, thanks for watching and thanks for the question! On average, I’d say I flew every week and a half to two weeks. Sometimes it was a couple times in a two week span, sometimes maybe 2-3 weeks in between depending on work and other things going on. Also, lessons were probably 2-3 hours start to finish. Between maybe 30 min of ground school, and then preflighting and flying, I was typically at the flight school for a full 3 hours.
It is a shocking amount when you break it down to an hourly rate, and factor in everything that goes into getting your PPL. Most people have no idea. Thanks for watching!
Shocking is a word that hits the algorithm really strong. That’s why so many people use that term in their titles even when the info couldn’t be any less shocking. It’s annoying as hell. I’ve watched about 50 “shocking” videos and have yet to be remotely surprised, let alone shocked
Not with the prices for aircraft rental these days. Multiple schools around me in FL straight up give $14-15K estimate for 40 hours (no one here finishes here in 40) and have a friend whose cost was way north of $19K
@ yes, agreed on all accounts. It seems no one is doing it in the 40 hour minimum or the what-used-to-be $10,000 standard these days. Shopping around and budgeting is important!
good vid. lots of useful info.
Thanks for watching and for the comment!
3 days ago you posted this video. 3 days ago I did my very first discovery in Schaumburg and confirmed that I am definitely going for my PPL now. Nice video man !
We should connect. I will do my discovery on Sunday.
Awesome to hear! The discovery flight is such an exciting step to take in your flight training process, it makes everything seem so real. How much flying did you get to do? And good luck in your training!
@@JenniAviation Did you do your Discovery Flight? If so, how did it go?!
What flight school did you choose and how was your experience with them? I was looking at either Revv or Holiday in Schaumburg.
Hey all! Didn’t realize the traction beneath this comment. Sorry!
I did my discovery with revv in Schaumburg, Sept ‘24. Greattttt people. I really enjoyed my instructor. I think his name was Trevor. He made my introduction to flying so enjoyable.
I ended up going with a school further south. D14 aviation partners with governors state to offer a program through the GSU extended learning programs . It’s a lot closer for me and overall, logistically is better. Did a discovery here and had a chance to “interview” the staff. I think I’ll do well here. I’ll officially start in April ‘25. Hope this helps someone.
Preciate this video
Congratulations on getting your PPL. Thank you for going into the details on how others can get their PPL. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video!
This was an awesome video. I just quit my job of 26 years and cashed out my 401(k) to get my commercial and hopefully fly for the last part of my life. I did my discovery flight 12/31/24 and I have about 4-5 hours flight time so far. I'm tracking all my expenses and plan to do a video like yours at each step along the way. The school is working with me and I'm trying to fly 5 days a week if they can accommodate. It's been a blast so far! I highly recommend Sporty's and the Plane English app to learn radio chatter. I also really like the BOSE A30 headset. It's pricey but as my instructor said "You'll be using it a lot. Get the best one you can." Plane rental and instructor are $245 an hour at my school. They quoted me $12-15,000 for the PPL and a total of $65,000ish for PPL plus commercial. Thanks again for the video!
Thanks for watching and for the comment. It’s awesome to hear you’re pursuing your aviation dreams! Good luck with your flight training!
$65,000 isn't bad from PPL to commercial!! Where did you go to school at? Please let me know and thank you for commenting on here!
@@hawaiianboy1743 I'm located in North West Louisiana. The school is called Neu Aviation. The quote for PPL was 12.5K to 15K and their multiengine rating is a flat 6K. Hope that helps.
Love the video thanks
Glad you liked it! Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for watching.
Good to know about online school. So there is no more excuse. Great video.
Thanks! I agree, no more excuses.
Almost no one will finish with 40 hours. You did great finishing with 52 hours with the current average in the 60-70 hour range today - especially in a towered, complicated airspace
Agreed! It’s very hard to finish at the minimum requirements. Just not feasible unless you’re doing some sort of accelerated program. I was proud finishing at 52 hours!
It’s important to remember it doesn’t matter how long it takes you, everyone learns and retains at a different pace. Getting your PPL is an accomplishment no matter what!
@@StingrayAlex For sure! The 40hr minimum never really considered the need to learn ATC and radio work that's essential in most of the country today. I had 81hrs going into my checkride, but I also couldn't take the checkride until my 17th birthday
@@planeplaces that’s a good point! I really appreciated doing my training at a busy towered airport, makes you super comfortable on the radios by default. Would suggest a towered field to anyone! And congrats on the 81 hours, that’s a ton of great experience.
We followed a very similar path. I also chose to pursue my aviation dream as a hobby. I did Pilot Institute all the way through before starting. I started flying with Pcola Air in July 2023 flying once every week or two, soloed at 17 hours in December, and did my Checkride in August 2024 right at 60 hours. I also kept meticulous track of my costs, including equipment, ground school, insurance, foreflight subscription, and test/checkride fees. I calculated it to just over 19,000. I flew more hours which is why mine is higher, I went from 43 hours to 60 in the last month and a half flying two or three times a week to really feel ready for checkride.
It sounds like a lot and it is, but what made it possible for me was good finances, and side jobs. I live on my paycheck so I put all my side work in a separate account for flying, and worked enough side jobs to fund roughly one flight a week. I think anyone with a decent full time job, a frugal lifestyle and a way to make extra income could fund an aviation dream.
It sounds like your path was very similar to mine like you said! I bet a lot of people pursue aviation as a hobby like we did and appreciate the insight. It isn’t cheap hobby, but I don’t regret it one bit!
The better question is, did you get these numbers in 2015? I wish I could fly for that cheep with an instructor.
Thanks for the comment. I wish I got my license back in 2015. Would have been nice! But in this video I just wanted to lay out all of the costs to get your PPL for everyone that doesn’t know. Some might think it’s cheap, some might thinks it’s expensive! It’s all perspective.
I'm not sure what's "shocking" about these costs since they're what most would consider "below average" for most students who spread their training out over months rather than take a more intensive route. It's nice to see a detailed breakdown of your actual costs, tho. Did those tabs in the FAR/AIM actually help with anything? I'm wondering if the increased use of AI will make it easier to have a tablet where you can just ask a question and get the answer displayed. I know you can have the book with you, but what about using a tablet instead?
Thanks for the comment! Fair point, however, this video caters to folks interested in starting their aviation journeys with little to no knowledge of the process or the cost of getting a Private Pilot Certificate. In that case, some of these costs may be “shocking.”
The tabs in the FAR/AIM were actually a HUGE help. Going through the book and tabbing each of the individual regs allowed me to not only learn the regs themselves, but to get familiar with how to look them up quickly and where to find them during the check ride. I’d highly recommend it. As you may know, the check ride is open book if you need it, so having the regulations tabbed is a “cheat code” in a way where you can quickly flip to one and answer a question.
that is awesome that boeing does that!
Also when you purchase the sporty course how long do you have access to that info...does it expire?
It’s a great work perk! I didn’t know about it at first, and it definitely helped push me to finally start flying lessons.
As far as I know, once you purchase the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course you have that content for life. Which is cool in case you ever want to go back and do any review.
how can you overcome your fears when first started? And how long you need to fly for the checkride and solo
Hi, thanks for the comment and question! If you’re scared or nervous about flying in a small single engine plane, I’d for sure recommend talking to a pilot and asking any questions you may have. You can talk with an instructor and hopefully they can make you more comfortable.
Then do a Discovery Flight, they’ll take you up for your first time and you can get your feet wet. To solo it takes usually 10+ flight hours. The check ride requires 40 hours minimum, but most people average probably somewhere in the 50 range.
Gotta love the LTP benefits!
Agreed! An awesome perk I didn’t even know existed. But once I did, had to jump on the opportunity. Great financial assistance.
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed.
Pretty cool Boeing gives you bonuses!!😊
Agreed! It’s an awesome incentive. Curious if any other companies offer anything like that.
I didn’t know it was possible to reduce cost doing the ground school by yourself purchasing online courses. The question is, will it be accepted and discounted from ppl program when I go to the school?!
That’s a very good question! If by school you mean an official flight program or a college/university, I would definitely check to verify. If you’re just going to a flight school at a local airport, using an online ground school like I did to supplement your training can help a ton and really save money.
Being able to watch the training videos and take notes on your own time, even if you’re going to learn the same things from a flight program, can really help you stay ahead and excel in whatever program you choose.
Hi thank you for your video
I am thinking to get sporty class as well. Does this deluxe comes with new edition of books? It seems book cover old edition
the picture on the website, Far/Aim books looks like 2025 but phak and afh looks old edition
Is phak book cover Brown color?
Hi, thank you for the comment! I’d imagine with a purchase of Sporty’s Deluxe Learn to Fly course you’d get updated copies of the FAR/AIM. However I’m not sure the textbooks are still being updated regularly. You can always get updated electronic copies on the FAA’s website shall you find what you purchased goes out of date.
@ what about your book? Did you receive your phak and handbook cover with brown color? or blueish color?
Because i already made purchase books but thinking to return and buy these duluxe package
I’m currently traveling for the holidays so I don’t have access to my books, but I can let you know! I believe my PHAK is the one with the brownish/red cover. And the AFH is the blue clouds cover. The textbooks list the edition in the top right of the cover so you can always check with the FAA website on what is most current.
I’d definitely recommend the Deluxe course! You get a ton for the money and the online interface is awesome.
Thanks bro
No problem! Lmk if you have any questions. Thanks for watching.
what type of materials is in the ground schooling?
Hi, thanks for the comment. Here’s a link to the Sporty’s Deluxe Learn to Fly course, it’ll detail everything that’s included with your purchase.
www.sportys.com/sporty-s-deluxe-learn-to-fly-course-kit-online-app-and-tv.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqeuYUALLWelw2m3cCIHbr7tIuiXmhlXc8rG4qvRrfxMejNtb2G
so awesome
How often per week did you fly? How long were your lessons?
Hi, thanks for watching and thanks for the question! On average, I’d say I flew every week and a half to two weeks. Sometimes it was a couple times in a two week span, sometimes maybe 2-3 weeks in between depending on work and other things going on. Also, lessons were probably 2-3 hours start to finish. Between maybe 30 min of ground school, and then preflighting and flying, I was typically at the flight school for a full 3 hours.
@@StingrayAlex
Shocking? Everything costs money! There are a gazillion YT videos on what a PPL costs.
It is a shocking amount when you break it down to an hourly rate, and factor in everything that goes into getting your PPL. Most people have no idea. Thanks for watching!
Shocking is a word that hits the algorithm really strong. That’s why so many people use that term in their titles even when the info couldn’t be any less shocking. It’s annoying as hell. I’ve watched about 50 “shocking” videos and have yet to be remotely surprised, let alone shocked
Alex come fly helicopters 🚁
Ha idk about that, might stick to airplanes 😜
@@StingrayAlex alright
How is helicopters? Im debating which route to go?
@ IMO is the most challenging flying one can do. Take a discovery flight, you’ll see.
Actually you can do it much cheaper
Please share if you have any tips for other viewers!
How ??
This isn’t 1960 grandpa
Not with the prices for aircraft rental these days. Multiple schools around me in FL straight up give $14-15K estimate for 40 hours (no one here finishes here in 40) and have a friend whose cost was way north of $19K
@ yes, agreed on all accounts. It seems no one is doing it in the 40 hour minimum or the what-used-to-be $10,000 standard these days. Shopping around and budgeting is important!