Written by

Kristen Cramer

September 9, 2022

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Pilot license cost

Getting a private pilot license (PPL) costs $9,000 to $15,000 on average, depending on the flight school, location, aircraft rental fees, and number of hours spent in flight training. A commercial pilot license costs $7,500 to $22,000 and requires a PPL. A recreational pilot certificate costs $6,000 to $9,000.

• The official FAA term is "certificate". However, the terms certificate and license are used interchangeably in aviation.

• Ratings are additional qualifications placed on a certificate that authorize flying different types of aircraft or in different weather or visibility conditions.

• Endorsements from a flight instructor add privileges or lift specific restrictions, allowing pilots to fly at higher altitudes or fly high-performance aircraft, complex planes with retractable landing gear, or tailwheel planes.

Cost to become a pilot by license type

Private pilot license cost

A private pilot license costs $9,000 to $15,000, depending on the flight school, location, aircraft rental fees, and flight hours spent preparing for the checkride test. A private pilot license (PPL) requires 35 to 70 flight hours and lets you fly recreationally alone or with passengers, though you cannot fly for hire.

Getting your private pilot license requires a minimum of 35 to 40 hours of total flight time, depending on if you enroll in a Part 61 or Part 141 flight school. Flight time must include:

• 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor

• 10 hours of solo flight, including:

  • 5 hours of solo cross-country time

  • 3 takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern at an airport with a control tower

  • One solo cross-country flight of 150 nautical miles with full-stop landings at three points and at least one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations

• 3 hours of cross-country flight training

• 3 hours of night flight training, including one cross-country flight over 100 nautical miles and 10 takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern at an airport

• 3 hours of flight training on maneuvering and control solely by instrument reference

• 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in preparation for the checkride within 2 months preceding the test

Instrument rating cost

An instrument rating costs $8,000 to $14,000 and allows pilots to fly solely using the aircraft instruments for navigation and maneuvering when clouds or other weather reduce visibility. Pilots must have a private pilot license before training for an instrument rating (IR).

Getting your instrument rating requires:

• 50 hours or more of cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command, of which at least 10 hours must be in an aircraft for an instrument-airplane rating

• 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time

• 15 hours or more of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor

• A cross-country flight of at least 250 nautical miles with an instrument approach at each airport and three different instrument approaches using navigation systems

Without an instrument rating, pilots must fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), following a "see and avoid" principle that requires clear weather and visual references. Under VFR, a pilot can't fly through clouds and instead must go under, around, or divert the flight path if clouds form along the way.

Commercial pilot license cost

A commercial pilot license costs $7,500 to $22,000 and requires 250 total flight hours. To be eligible for a commercial pilot license (CPL), students must already have a private pilot license and instrument rating.

A commercial license allows you to fly for hire, though many pilot jobs require an airline transport pilot license instead. However, commercial pilots can fly privately-owned jets, air charter, aerial tours and sightseeing flights, agricultural flights, and environmental or traffic monitoring flights.

A commercial pilot license (CPL) requires 250 total flight hours, including:

• 3 hours of flight training with an instructor within 2 calendar months of the checkride

• 50 hours of cross-country flight

• 10 hours of instrument rating flight

• 10 hours of complex, turbine, or Technical Advanced Airplane (TAA) flight

• Cross-country flights of more than 100 nautical miles (nm), including at least one 2-hour daytime flight and one 2-hour nighttime flight

• At least one cross-country flight of at least 300 nm, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which must be a straight-line distance of at least 250 nm from the original departure point.

• 5 hours of night flying in VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings in the traffic pattern at an airport with an operating control tower

• 100 hours must be as pilot-in-command (PIC)

Certified Flight Instructor certificate cost

Certified Flight Instructor training costs $5,000 to $10,000 and typically takes 1 to 2 months after earning your commercial pilot license. Working as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) allows you to gain experience and accrue flight hours toward the airline transport pilot certification requirement.

The CFI certificate requires two written exams:

• Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) Exam

• FAA Certified Flight Instructor Knowledge Exam

When training to become a Certified Flight Instructor, consider including these add-ons to expand the type of instruction you're allowed to offer:

• The Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) add-on costs $4,000 to $12,000 and allows you to teach instrument flying.

• The Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) add-on costs $5,000 to $9,500 and allows you to teach multi-engine aircraft flying.

Multi-engine rating cost

A multi-engine rating costs $3,000 to $6,000 and typically takes only 1 to 2 weeks for pilots who already have their private or commercial license. A multi-engine rating allows you to fly as pilot-in-command (PIC) of an aircraft with more than one engine.

Airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate cost

An airline transport pilot flies passenger flights, typically for a regional airline or a large airline like Delta or Southwest. Transport pilots also fly cargo flights for major shipping carriers like FedEx and UPS.

The airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate requires 1,500 total hours of flight time. Most pilots accrue their 1,500 flight hours while working as commercial pilots or flight instructors to gain experience before taking the written exam and checkride.

Sport pilot license cost

A sport pilot license costs $4,000 to $6,000 on average. A sport pilot license does not require an FAA medical certificate and requires fewer flight training hours than a private pilot license, but sport pilots are subject to more restrictions:

• Limited to flying light sport aircraft (LSA) with no more than two seats and a 1,320 lb. maximum certified gross weight

• Limited to a maximum aircraft speed of 138 mph (120 knots)

• Can fly with a maximum of one passenger

• Can only fly in Class E or G airspace

• Can't fly at night

• Can't fly in the clouds or when visibility is low

• Limited to a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) or 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL), whichever is higher

• Can't fly for compensation or hire

To qualify for a sport pilot license, a pilot must complete these training requirements:

• Minimum of 20 hours total flight time

• At least 15 hours of flight training from a certified instructor

• At least 5 hours of solo flight time

• At least 2 hours of cross-country flight training

• At least 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop

• One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with one leg of more than 25 nautical miles

• Pass the FAA written knowledge test

• Pass a checkride with a Designated Pilot Examiner

Recreational pilot license cost

A recreational pilot license costs $6,000 to $9,000. A recreational pilot certificate requires a minimum of 30 flight training hours and an FAA medical certificate. Although recreational pilots can fly faster and more powerful aircraft than sport pilots, they are subject to all other sport pilot restrictions.

Student pilot license cost

A student pilot license costs $75 to $200 for the medical exam certificate. There is no charge for the student pilot certificate itself.

To obtain a student pilot certificate from the FAA, submit an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) online or fill out FAA form 8710-1 and submit a printed copy to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, or a Certified Flight Instructor.

Helicopter license cost

A helicopter license costs $10,000 to $15,000 for a private pilot certificate and an additional $18,000 to $20,000 for a commercial pilot license. The average cost of helicopter flying lessons is $150 to $200 per hour, including helicopter rental and instructor fees.

Glider pilot license cost

A glider pilot license costs $4,500 to $9,000 on its own or $2,500 to $5,000 as a rating added to a private pilot license. Glider pilot students must pay tow rates and launch fees of $25 to $75 for each training flight, depending on the release altitude.

Drone pilot certification cost

Drone pilot certification costs $325 to $475, including an online test preparation course and the FAA Part 107 exam fee. A drone pilot license is officially called an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and is required for any non-recreational drone use.

For recreational drone use—such as flying a drone in your backyard—you must pass the FAA's free online Recreational Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Safety Test, also known as the TRUST test.

Pilot school & training cost breakdown

The following factors impact the cost of pilot training:

• Airplane rental – Aircraft rental costs $110 to $170 per hour on average. Wet rates include the cost of fuel while dry rates do not.

• Flight instructor – Certified Flight Instructors charge $50 to $70 per hour for ground and flight training, depending on their experience and location. Flight instructors also charge for pre-flight briefings and post-flight debriefings.

• Simulator time – Flight simulator time costs $60 to $70 per hour. The FAA allows a maximum number of hours of simulator time toward each certificate or rating. Reduce your total training costs by maximizing your simulator hours.

• FAA Knowledge Test – The FAA knowledge test costs $175 to $200, not including study books or other test prep materials.

• Ground school – Online or in-person ground school costs $250 to $500. Ground school prepares students for the FAA knowledge test with training in aviation-related topics such as how airplanes fly and how weather affects flight.

• Checkride fees – Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) charge $400 to $800 on average for a checkride for a private, sport, or commercial pilot license, instrument rating, or multi-engine rating. Checkride fees for Certified Flight Instructor or Airline Transport Pilot certificates are $600 to $1,200+.

• Landing fees ­– Some airports charge a landing fee. Student pilots perform 150+ landings over the course of training for a private pilot license.

• Student pilot insurance – Aircraft Renters Insurance costs $170 to $2,250+ per year. Most flight schools require student pilots to carry a liability policy for bodily injury and third-party property damage and a hull coverage policy for aircraft damage.

  • Liability policies cost $70 to $250 per year.

  • Hull coverage policies cost $100 to $2,000+ per year.

  • Insurance deductibles are $5,000 to $10,000 if an accident occurs.

  • Some flying club memberships include insurance.

• Personal gear and supplies – Gear and supplies cost $500 to $1,000+. Budget for the following supplies:

  • FAA textbooks and manuals

  • Personal flight logbook

  • Active noise reduction (ANR) aviation headset

  • LED flashlight with red light functionality to preserve night vision

  • Knee board with pen and paper for writing during flight

  • E6B calculator / manual flight computer

  • Maps and VFR sectional charts

• Cross-country software – Apps like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot cost $80 to $240 per year and require an iPad or Android tablet. Aviation apps offer advanced flight planning features like up-to-date 3D maps, approach charts, fuel burn calculations, a digital logbook, flight playback, aircraft profiles, and more.

Flight school cost

Flying lessons cost $160 to $240 per hour, including aircraft rental, fuel, and the flight instructor's time. Flight school costs $9,000 to $15,000 total on average to get a private pilot license and requires at least 20 hours of flying lessons with a certified instructor.

Flight schools offer Part 61 or Part 141 training programs based on Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). A Part 141 flight school requires fewer flight training hours than a Part 61 program but has a more rigid schedule and is typically targeted toward full-time students pursuing an aviation career.

FAA tests and exam prices

FAA written tests cost $175 to $200 each, depending on if the flight school charges an added test fee. Getting a pilot license also requires passing a medical exam and a practical test—known as a checkride—with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).

Pilot license FAQs

Is becoming a pilot worth the cost?

Getting a private pilot license (PPL) is only worth the cost if you love flying as a hobby. A private pilot license provides no income potential as you cannot fly for hire. Flying is an expensive hobby, requiring either an aircraft purchase or rental with high fuel and maintenance costs.

However, getting a private pilot license offers several benefits:

• Travel with family and friends on your own schedule without having to book a commercial flight.

• Fly to client meetings and conferences.

• Experiment with aerial photography.

• Volunteer as a pilot for nonprofit organizations like Angel Flight or Pilots N Paws to transport medical patients or pets in need.

• Join the Civil Air Patrol to perform missions in service to your local community, such as search and rescue or disaster relief flights.

How much do private pilots make?

Private pilots make $25,000 to $100,000+ per year, depending on if they work for an individual private jet owner, a charter flight company, or in another capacity. Other pilot career opportunities include crop-dusting, pipeline patrol, banner towing, sightseeing flights, aerial photography, or traffic watch.

To work as a private pilot for hire, you must have a commercial pilot license.

What is the cheapest way to become a pilot?

The cheapest way to become a pilot is to get a Sport Pilot license, which costs less than other certificates but comes with limitations.

Follow these tips to save money on flight school:

• Apply for scholarships.

• Buy used books and materials.

• Buy flight hours in bulk at a discounted rate.

• Train in a more affordable plane, such as one with a steam gauge panel instead of a glass panel.

• Look for local flying clubs that offer discounted airplane rentals.

• Train as many hours in a flight simulator as allowed by the FAA.

• Use virtual flight training software to learn the basics at home first.

• Train at an airport that isn't busy to avoid paying fees for time spent waiting in line to takeoff.

• Get flight training in a rural area where fees are lower. The downside is that you don't learn how to fly in busy airspace with air traffic control.

• Borrow gear like headsets.

How long does it take to become a pilot?

Becoming a private pilot takes 2 to 6 months on average and getting a commercial pilot license takes 2 to 10 months. The time depends on if you study part-time or participate in a full-time accelerated flight training program. Additional ratings and certificates increase the total training time.

Can I get financial aid for pilot training?

There are several financial aid options for pilot training:

• Federal student loans and Pell grants for accredited flight school programs

• Flight training scholarships from aviation-related organizations

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) financing

• Flight training loans from private financial institutions

• Private pilot financing directly through a flight school

Pilot training loans

The federal government and many financial institutions offer student loans for flight school. Look for an accredited flight school to ensure the program is eligible for financial aid. Fill out the online FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid before applying for loans with other organizations.

Popular pilot training loan options include:

• Federal Direct Loan Program, via the FAFSA application

• Federal Direct PLUS Loan for parents, via the FAFSA application

• Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan

• Meritize flight school loans

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) flight training financing

• College Ave student loans

• American Airlines Credit Union student loans

Pilot training scholarships

Many private organizations offer pilot training scholarships and grants to cover the cost of flight school. The FAA publishes a regularly updated list of aviation-related scholarships and grants. Students at FAA-approved flight schools can also apply for a Federal Pell Grant, which does not require repayment.

Finding and joining a pilot school

Before hiring a flight instructor, be sure to:

• Visit small airports in your area to find out which training programs they offer.

• Search the FAA pilot school database for nearby flight schools.

• Ask local pilots for flight instructor recommendations.

• Browse instructor reviews on Lessons.com and Google.

• Find out which aircraft models and simulators the instructor has access to.

• Confirm whether aircraft rental fees include fuel.

• Confirm whether the hourly rate for aircraft rental and instructor fees is combined.

• Take an introductory flight lesson to gauge their teaching style.

• Get a written contract detailing everything included in the flight training program.

Questions to ask

• What certifications does your flight school have?

• Are you a Part 61 or Part 141 flight school?

• What kind of medical certificate do I need?

• How long does a typical flying lesson last?

• What should I bring to my lessons? Which gear and supplies do you recommend?

• Can I take the written knowledge test before my first lesson?

• How long will the total training take?

• Can I train at my own pace or does your program follow a fixed schedule?

• Which aircraft model will I train in?

• What is the aircraft rental fee? Is it a wet rate or dry rate?

• Do you have a flight simulator? If so, how much do simulator training hours cost?

• Do you offer any scholarships, student loans, or other financing options?

• What types of aircraft will my license permit me to fly?

• How many passengers will I be allowed to carry?

• Will I be allowed to fly at night?