Compare certificate tracks and review how training costs are structured. Flight instruction is $75/hr and aircraft rental is $185/hr across all programs, for both card and cash payments.
Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Additional Training options.
Core certificate track from first lesson through checkride prep.
Certificate CostFlying, instruction, ground school, exams & gear
Instruction Rate$75/hr
Aircraft Rate$185/hr
Required Hours40 hrs
Typical Hours55–65 hrs
Instruction Hours54–63 hrs
Est. Total$16,625–$21,414
Weather, procedures, and precision flying beyond visual conditions.
Certificate CostTraining estimate plus exam costs
Instruction Rate$75/hr
Aircraft Rate$185/hr
Required Hours40 hrs
Typical Hours50 hrs
Instruction Hours70 hrs
Est. Total$15,675
Professional-level maneuvers and standards for paid flying work.
Certificate CostTraining estimate plus exam costs
Instruction Rate$75/hr
Aircraft Rate$185/hr
Required Hours250 hrs total
Typical Hours120 hrs
Instruction Hours168 hrs
Est. Total$35,975
Checkride polish, refresher flights, endorsements, and proficiency work.
Certificate CostHourly pay-as-you-train
Instruction Rate$75/hr
Aircraft Rate$185/hr
Required HoursVaries
Typical HoursVaries
Instruction HoursVaries
Est. TotalVaries
Required hours are FAA minimums under Part 61. For the commercial pilot certificate that's 250 hours of total flight time, counting your private and instrument hours (14 CFR 61.129).
Start with a training deposit or a prepaid block. You don't need to pay the full estimate upfront.
Training deposit
$1,000
Start smaller and pay as you fly
10-hour block
$2,600
+$50 free credit
Most popular
20-hour package
$5,200
+$200 free credit
40-hour package
$10,000
+$1,000 free credit
Best value
Start with a $1,000 training deposit, or prepay a block of 10, 20 or 40 hours (from $2,600). Lessons are deducted from your account balance, and you top it up when it's nearly used.
Every training block comes with free credit: $50 with the 10-hour block ($2,600), $200 with the 20-hour package ($5,200) and $1,000 with the 40-hour package ($10,000). The bonus is added to your account with your payment.
Your discovery flight is free when you start training: when you buy your first training block (10, 20 or 40 hours), we credit the $249 back to your account. Starting with the training deposit? The credit comes with your first block.
You can pay for a training block with Klarna at checkout, subject to approval. Klarna decides which plans you see; we never see your approved amount.
Prepaid blocks aren't refundable, but any unused balance stays on your account as credit for future flying.
If N159G is down for maintenance, flying pauses until it's back and nothing comes out of your balance. We use that time for ground lessons and written-test prep so you keep progressing.
The Private Pilot estimate of $16,625–$21,414 assumes 55–65 flight hours (10–13 of them solo), ground school, FAA exam fees, a medical, and gear. Your final cost depends on how quickly you progress, so we can't guarantee an exact total or completion date.
Payment options through Klarna are subject to approval and aren't available in every state. See payment terms. A higher initial payment may be required for some consumers. Monthly financing through Klarna issued by WebBank. Other CA resident loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license. NMLS # 1353190.
Scroll through the sequence to see instruction, aircraft, hours, and the other costs.
Step 1
$75/hr
Same instruction rate across all training programs.
Step 2
$185/hr
Same aircraft rental rate no matter which training track you choose.
Step 3
Required: 40 hrs | Typical: 55–65 hrs
Instructor time runs about 1.2x your dual flight time because it includes pre- and post-flight briefings. Solo flights need no instructor.
Private example:
Flight hours: 55–65 (10–13 solo)
Instruction hours (1.2x dual): 54–63
Step 4
$2,400–$4,664
Ground school, the FAA written test, your medical, the checkride examiner fee, and gear. The itemized breakdown is below.
Based on 55–65 flight hours in our Direct Fly Alto (N159G). The checkride flight is included in the hours.
| Item | Basis | At 55 hrs | At 65 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight training | |||
| Airplane rental (N159G)55 / 65 hrs × $185 | 55 / 65 hrs × $185 | $10,175 | $12,025 |
| Flight instruction54 / 63 hrs × $75 | 54 / 63 hrs × $75 | $4,050 | $4,725 |
| Ground school & FAA testing | |||
| Ground schoolOnline course or ground lessons | Online course or ground lessons | $800 | $800 |
| FAA written testPSI testing fee | PSI testing fee | $175 | $175 |
| FAA medical (3rd class)Set by the doctor (AME) | Set by the doctor (AME) | $100 | $200 |
| Checkride examiner feeSet by the examiner (DPE) | Set by the examiner (DPE) | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Gear | |||
| HeadsetBudget to premium | Budget to premium | $250 | $1,100 |
| iPad + ForeFlightOptional | Optional | $0 | $739 |
| Logbook, plotter, E6B, kneeboardBasic kit | Basic kit | $75 | $150 |
| Estimated total | $16,625 | $21,414 | |
