Well if you're saving up your own money to go to ATP then yeah, that would be difficult, and Id highly recommend against that. You could join a club/school with low rates, split time up to commercial, and come in less than 35k if you're really motivated.

I don't think you have run the costs lately. It's a lot more than that.

Cessna 172N where I rent from (large west coast city): 140/hr
CFI rate: 70/hr

120 hours dual: 25,200
130 hours split with safety pilot: 9,100
Checkrides: 3000
Gear/equipment/supplies: 2000

Total: 39,300

Okay i concede it's a bit higher, but not by much.

Even if you don't do any time splitting, you'll add another 9100 bucks, so 48,400. Nowhere near 70-80k

4 Failed Primary training Checkrides.....

5 Checkride Failures, regionals?


You wanna flunk a check ride?



or 2

You forgot multi time.

Sure. Another 5k for the add on and then the 25 required.

A flight school in my area quoted me roughly 38K for PPL-CFI. Granted thats without any check-ride failures or additional time needed. So it is still possible to find well priced training.

How many failed checkrides do you need to negate your argument?
$80k loan and 4 failed checkrides is not a good place to be.
Most of the advantages of 141 over 61 are out the window since the 1500 hrs rule.
Even 61 you can do your CFI checkride at 251-255 hrs TT.
Work work work then get a second job and Uber on the side.
Only work will get you there.
Do it (mostly) debt-free.
If you’re allergic to work then pilot life is not for you.

That sounds like a great deal! Yeah, there are still schools/clubs out there where hourly rates are below 100