How much will your training cost?  The answer is, it depends.

Training Cost Variables

Several factors will affect your total training cost.  Some will be under your control, some will not.

• Recency:  One of the most important aspects of your training is how often you train.  If you can only come out once a month, you will inevitably need time to refresh skills and knowledge that has been lost since you last flew.  A student who trains more frequently will be able to quickly move on to new tasks, having better retained old ones.  A full-time student should try to complete at least three lessons per week.

 

• Previous Flight Experience:  Previous flight training is by no means a requirement.  However, rated pilots (i.e., airplane pilots) who has already studied subjects such as aerodynamics, navigation, etc., might require less instruction time.

 

• Ground Training: At Wings Air, we are proud to offer our students a choice in how to conduct their ground training.  Whether you schedule a regular time and prefer a classroom environment, or you like to study on your own, we can accommodate you.  Ground time with an instructor does cost money, and will increase your costs for ground training.  However, very often this ground time serves to reduce flight training time. Talk your options over with your instructor and decide what is best for you.  Don't worry, you can change methods as often as you like.

 

• Chair Flying:  The best pilots use a technique called "chair flying" to maximize their flight experience.  (The Blue Angels do it before every flight.)  Chair  flying involves a comfortable chair, a panel poster, and a piece of paper.  If you mentally review flight maneuvers in between flights, you create an opportunity to review and prepare at a controlled pace.   It is free, and invaluable. Your instructor can show you how to get the most out of this method.

 

Fixed Training Costs

The below is a list of more concrete training cost elements.

• Books & Supplies: $200-$250
• Aviation medical exam: $100-$150
• FAA written examination: $90
• FAA practical test: $200-$250

 

Aircraft and Instructor

• Aircraft (Schweizer 300C): $285 per hour**
• Instructor: $40 per hour

*Our aircraft are rented "wet," meaning that you pay the same hourly rate, no matter how much gas your flight requires.

*Discounts on hourly rates may be available for students who open a draw-down account with us.

Financing

While Wings Air does not finance "in house," there are commercial lenders available, such as Pilot Finance.  More information is available by contacting the lenders directly.

www.pilotfinance.com