conceited

Hello,

I would like some insight regarding how much more I can expect to pay while attending flight school. I plan to attend Aviator College in Fort Pierce, FL, in-which they're quoting me a price of $52,000 for their "Professional Pilot Program".... SOUNDS A LITTLE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Course includes:
*PVT-CFII
*6-Months of housing
*160-hrs of Multi

In saying all of this, how much extra could your average "smart dumb" student expect to pay on top of the already quoted $52,000?

kingsnake2

Sounds like they might be quoting you the FAA minimum required hours. Get a break down of the flight hours and costs per hour used to come up with that quote.

I work with US Aviation Academy in Denton, TX and no one ever finished in the FAA minimum time. Some people get fairly close if they study really hard, train full time (no breaks or anything), and naturally talented. Point is, it's rare.

A comfortable margin may be the FAA minimums +20%

yimke

Definitely sounds like FAA minimums. Plus think about the aircraft and reputation of places. Do you want to fly an aircraft that is $10 more per hour and is taken care of. Or something cheap that they MEL items all the time and don't get things fixed till it is absolutely needed.

I'm not attacking that school. I have never heard of them in fact, so that might be a good thing. What I'm getting at is research the company and their CFI's insight on aircraft etc.. Anyone been there or instructed there chime in?

rickair7777

True, but it's also relevant as to whether it's a 61 or 141 program (I'm guessing the later).

If it's 61 you need 250 hours to CPL and that's more than anyone needs to just prepare for the CPL checkride. This means that any "extra" hours need for PVT, IR, or even the CFI's can be counted towards the 250 CPL total. If one structured a program to be ready for CPL, CFI, and CFII checkrides at the 250 hour mark that might be reasonable for the typical commercial student. So what if the PPL too 50 instead of 40 hours.

If it's a 141 program, it's 190 to CPL (plus CFIs). 141 is highly structured and you do not have the flexibility to move hours around between the various programs so if (when) you go over on any rating you would eat that cost. It would also be very hard (but not impossible) to finish most or any 141 courses at the minimums.


I suspect that this is a 141 course and they "know" that you'll go over on every single module...$$$$$. I would do some research, especially talk to current students even if you have to hang out at the airport and bother them in the parking lot.

Rotor2prop

Well that quote is pretty accurate and you should complete it on budget unless something goes way wrong. Another thing you have to add in is the cost of the check rides and writtens.

Additional fees* : books, written, checkrides, headset approx .$ 6,440.00





This is right off their website for that program:

259 Flight Hours
Ground School Class Pre& Post Flight Ground
Training in a College Campus Atmosphere
Single Engine Private Pilot
Private Multi-Engine
Multi-Engine Instrument
Multi-Engine Commercial
Single Engine Commercial
Multi-Engine Flight Instructor
Instrument Flight Instructor
Single Engine Flight Instructor

Aircraft for check rides
Cross Country flying coast-to-coast
No FTDs (Simulators) used towards flight time
*CRJ Jet Transition Program
Pilot Career Planning & Interviewing Class
6 Months of housing

BeechedJet

Don't forget to add the price of resume paper to all those companies looking for sub 300 hour pilots.

kingsnake2

I think 141 would be great if you are doing it full time but yea, definitely going to go over the minimums.

Looks like it can work out then. As with any training program, just understand exactly what you are paying for and the conditions that the agreement is subject to.

Bellanca

I'd say reasonably expect to take 60 hours for private (it can be a lot less, but barely anyone does it in the 35 (141) or 40 (61). Then add another 5 hours per rating in case you need a couple more flights to get comfortable for the check ride, check ride delays, etc.

Other ways to save money: Do as much studying at home as you can, so you aren't paying by the hour for your CFI to teach you stuff you could have read from a book for free. Knowing procedures and maneuvers before you get in the plane will save you time and money. A copy of flight sim and a cheap yoke or joystick can allow you to practice instrument procedures at home for free.

conceited

Thanks for all of the great advice. I plan on setting aside an additional $10,000 for the entire program, so hopefully that will be suffice.

torpid0

Ask them to cut out the CRJ transition program and the career advice to save you a couple grand. The transition program is a waste of time other than it will get you motivated to move on. As far as career advice, when you meet the minimums to work for a regional, they will be begging you to come work for them. All you need to figure out is which regional you want to work for. Good luck.