Sport Pilot Talk

Curious what the cost varies throughout the regions?

northeast looks like the going cost is around $5k, but will highly depend on how many hours you sill need to finish and be proficient. The ground school selection will make a difference too as will the amount of equipment you guy for the training (headset, computer, charts, and such).

Someone who knows will respond, but I'm not sure it varies by region as much as it varies based on how many hours it takes a person. While the minimum is 20 hours, it takes most people more than that. I suppose it might take one person 25 to 30 hours and another person 55 to 60 hours and anything in between.

I have been advised to budget $6000 USD to get the cert. So far I've been able to save up $134.93. One should also be ready to expend $500-$1000 in discretionary monies per month once certified just to be able to rent a plane for an hour or two a week and maintain liability insurance.

Budget $10k and hope it's less. It always costs more than you think.

chicagorandy wrote:I have been advised to budget $6000 USD to get the cert. So far I've been able to save up $134.93. One should also be ready to expend $500-$1000 in discretionary monies per month once certified just to be able to rent a plane for an hour or two a week and maintain liability insurance.

Randy, I will donate $500 toward your Sport Pilot certificate if you can get 11 other people here to do the same and if you would be so inclined.

As a reference point: my flight school's Sport Pilot curriculum calls for a total of 24 lessons spread over two academic quarters (12 weeks), which includes 32 flight hours, 40 hours of prebriefs, ground instruction, and debriefs, all aircraft rental, fuel, instructor fees, books, supplies, and taxes, for a flat rate tuition of $7000. Note that our tuition does not include the FAA knowledge and practical test fees, renter insurance, or physical exam fees for those who choose to get a medical. Not all students complete within the scheduled hours or number of lessons, so actual individual costs can vary widely. YMMV.

(Note that my school makes no claims as to being the cheapest option out there, but we do crank out very safe and competent pilots, who generally go on to become satisfied aircraft owners.)

TimTaylor wrote:

chicagorandy wrote:I have been advised to budget $6000 USD to get the cert. So far I've been able to save up $134.93. One should also be ready to expend $500-$1000 in discretionary monies per month once certified just to be able to rent a plane for an hour or two a week and maintain liability insurance.

Randy, I will donate $500 toward your Sport Pilot certificate if you can get 11 other people here to do the same and if you would be so inclined.

Randy, well, no $500 from me but if you are willing to come down to Bult Field ( about 30 minutes south from Orland Park ) we can go flying - my right seat is empty 90% of time anyway

I can't accept $$ contributions for my frivolities. But I'll keep the flying invite in mind. Right now I am 100% focused on Oshkosh Airventure. I am a volunteer tram conductor - the guy with the mike - for 9 days starting this Saturday thru Sunday the 28th.

If anyone is up there for the event, look for Wilford Brimley with a Randy nametag each afternoon being dragged around by a John Deere and say hi.

I figured you would say that. I hope some day you can see a way to make it happen. Have fun at Oshkosh.

Randy, well, no $500 from me but if you are willing to come down to Bult Field ( about 30 minutes south from Orland Park ) we can go flying - my right seat is empty 90% of time anyway

This right here.
If you go fly around with someone and observe, you will learn a huge amount.
Pilots like me fly around constantly and love company.
I like to get riders to do some of the radio work.
If the passenger is interested, I do a running commentary on what I am doing and why.
You could shave a lot of hours off instruction if you already know airspace, pattern procedures, radio work, airspeeds, fuel management, coordinated flight, avionics.
I am not a cfi, so it doesn’t count as “hours”.
But knowledge is knowledge.