PearlPilot

Those days when you could learn to fly by paying from your pocket are coming to an end. At this rate (of gas prices), flying is going to be like getting a medical degree (or something like that), you won't be able to afford it. I think I just made the list of those who will pay from the pocket, but good luck to the next generation of aspiring pilots

SomedayRJ

SEEEEERIOUSLY.

A certain local area flight school gets $130 plus a 'fuel surcharge' per hour for a basic 172, without any fancy avionics—that's just to get into the air on an airplane that's already paid for ten times over.

It's difficult to do without a benefactor, three jobs (or more), and/or deeply mortgaging yourself, your car, your house, and your firstborn.

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We're all in this together.
The Stately Beechcraft Racer - The Twin-Bonanza

Brendan

You guys think we'll see U.S. airlines moving towards ab-initio type training in the near future?

ryan1234

I paid for all my stuff out of pocket... took a little longer than someone with a loan, but in the end I make more per month. It's not impossible just takes a little creativity... I worked a lot to pay for it don't get me wrong, however most people especially during the rj hiring boom just got plain ripped off. You just need to beware rip-offs. There is a flight school near us that has a 172sp g1000 for $147/hr plus $51 instructor (!). The flight school I flew at currently rents a 172sp (conventional gauge/gps) for $65/hr dry plus $30/hr instructor ( also an ATP) so it comes out to be about $130/hr dual.
You don't need a loan, you can be smart and shop around, share time with others.... part 61 .... I spend about $14k total for pvt-multi comm

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If Guns kill people, spoons make Michael Moore fat!