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People always ask us about the costs associated with Private Pilot flight training in twin cities. It’s usually the biggest deterrent towards actually obtaining a pilot’s license. A private pilot license in the US ranges anywhere from $10K-$18K spread out over several months up to a year (depending on the school and the aircraft rental rates). We always explain to potential students a simple fact: a pilot license is the same price as that boat you might want, that used car you’ve had your eye on, or the motorcycle that you are interested in buying.
When you invest in a pilot license you are not only investing into something that will last a lifetime (your license never expires), but it’s also a personal achievement and an investment into yourself, that many will never experience in their short time on earth. There are about 195,000 Private Pilots in the United States (there are over 6,000,000 motorcycles registered in the US alone). Anyone can go out and buy boats, cars, and motorcycles.
How many of you can actually go out and fly an airplane at your own leisure? If you enjoy traveling, a fun hobby or a great community atmosphere then getting your pilot license is something we highly encourage you to do in your lifetime. If it’s not on your bucket list already, add getting your pilot license. Remember we are always here to make your dream a reality. We have a serious passion for general aviation, an excellent track record of producing the best and safest pilots in the country, and a commitment to keeping flying fun and affordable for all with our exclusive private pilot training programs in twin cities.
Instructor
30 hrs – $100/hr – $3,000
Airplane (Cessna 152)
30 hrs –$110/hr – $3,300
Airplane Solo
17.5 hrs –$110/hr – $1,925
Ground Instruction
25 hrs –$90/hr – $2,250
Instructor
37.5 hrs – $100/hr – $3,750
Airplane (Cessna 152)
37.5 hrs – $110/hr – $4,125
Airplane Solo
17.5 hrs – $110/hr – $1,925
Ground Instruction
25 hrs – $90/hr – $2,250
Instructor
37.5 hrs – $100/hr – $3,750
Airplane (Cessna 172)
37.5 hrs – $140/hr – $5,250
Airplane Solo
17.5 hrs – $140/hr – $2,450
Ground Instruction
30 hrs –$90/hr – $2,700
There is no minimum age to begin flight training for your private pilot license! Some of our students are even twelve years old. As our younger students prepare to solo, there are only two requirements. They must be 16 years old to solo and they need to have a medical certificate. All student pilots, no matter their age, must have a medical physical exam by an FAA certified doctor. Once they pass their medical, they are given a medical certificate. The medical certificate is needed before the first solo. Student pilots must also be able to speak, read, write and understand English.
The length of time it takes to earn your license depends upon how often you fly. Most students fly on average 2-3 times per week. At this pace you can receive your license in as little as 3 months. We give you the tools to succeed and you make it happen by attending your lessons and progressing! The times below are the FAA minimum requirements.
With the exception of a few 2-3 hour cross-country flights, your flight lessons are 1-2 hours in length. At your request we can make them longer or shorter, but this seems to be a good time frame. When you arrive you will spend 5-10 minutes doing a preflight inspection of the airplane, then join your flight instructor for a 10-15 minute pre-flight briefing that will address review items from last time and a thorough discussion of how to accomplish this flight’s goals. The flight itself will usually last between 1 hour 10 minutes, and 1 hour 40 minutes. The flight will be followed by a post-flight briefing of today’s flight and what you can look forward to for next time.
The FAA written test can be done at anytime before or during your training. It needs to be done by the time you take your checkride. The written test is comprised of 60 questions with a passing grade of 70%. Those 60 questions are pulled from a bank of just over 800 questions, we have the test prep online available here. Your checkride will be with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and will consist of two parts. The first half will be an oral examination, where you will answer questions about flying. The second half is the practical examination, where you will fly maneuvers in the airplane with the DPE. After you pass both parts, you will receive your Private Pilot License!
Once you receive your Private Pilot License, you can rent most any single engine airplanes including the plane you learned on! Bring your friends and family along because you will be able to carry passengers along for the ride. You’ll be able to fly both day/night and most anywhere you want, even internationally!
Many people who complete their Private Pilot training in Twin cities continue on with us to achieve their Instrument Rating. Pilots who become Instrument Rated with the private pilot training in twin cities have more services provided to them by ATC, learn to fly in more adverse conditions and, most importantly, are far less likely to be part of incidents and accidents. Beyond the ability to fly into clouds, instrument training teaches advanced use of cockpit instruments and ATC communications to enhance situational awareness and understanding of the airplane.
At Inflight, we believe that through diligent and intense private pilot training in twin cities anyone can achieve an instrument rating and become the safest pilot possible. Instructors work hard to push students by finding the most realistic scenarios on the ground and in the air. We love going up in the clouds, and can’t wait to take you up as well.
Instructor
37 hrs – $100hr – $3,700
Airplane (Cessna 172)
27 hrs – $140/hr – $3,780
ELITE PI-135 Simulator
10 hrs – $20/hr – $200
Ground Instruction
25 hrs – $90/hr – $2,250
Having your Instrument Rating will make you a more proficient, competent and confident pilot. You will have greater confidence when landing at a new or unfamiliar airport. Most importantly, your Instrument rating will increase your safety. Being prepared and able to handle any change in the weather, will make you and your passengers safer.
The length of time it takes to earn your Instrument Rating depends upon how often you fly. You can receive your Instrument rating in as little as 30 days if you fly everyday. Most students fly on average 2-3 times per week. At this pace you can receive your Instrument rating in as little as 90 days.
Once you receive your Instrument, you will be able to fly in weather with lower visibility. This means you can fly in known low visibility areas, like on the coast when there is a marine layer and over the mountains when it is cloudy. Additionally, flying in IFR weather with a flight plan will often give you priority to land at busy airports. When the airport knows you are arriving before you even take off, they can plan better for your arrival.
For those looking to make a career out of their aviation journey, a commercial license is the next big step. A commercial pilot license enables pilots to fly for hire or compensation within the bounds and regulations of the FAA. Training for a commercial license is some of the most fun flying we do in our instruction careers. The maneuvers are designed to demonstrate total mastery of the plane and our instructors and students alike love going up and pushing the plane to the limits of its flying capacity. Students who enroll in this pilot training course in twin cities can expect to learn the regulations regarding commercial flight, the duties and expectations of a commercial pilot, and of course, how to fly the plane like an experienced professional.
Airplane (Cessna 172)
15 hrs – $140/hr – $2,100
Airplane (Piper Arrow)
10 hrs – $160/hr – $1,600
Flight Instruction
25 hrs – $100/hr – $2,500
Ground Instruction
25 hrs – $100/hr – $2,500
A licensed commercial pilot may act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft for compensation or hire, as well as carry persons or property for compensation or hire.
The Commercial is usually one of the fastest training programs because it’s a comprehensive review of what you already did in your Private Pilot training, just to stricter standards with a few more maneuvers added in. Most people finish their Commercial in 6-8 weeks.
Airline pilots operate regularly scheduled passenger flights. To fly as an airline pilot, you must have an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, which is the highest pilot license the FAA issues. However, all pilots wanting to fly for a living must first start by earning their commercial pilot license, before they can attain an ATP certificate.
| Commercial Pilot Flight Time Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Total Flight Time | 250 Hours |
| Pilot-In-Command (PIC) | 100 Hours |
| Cross-Country PIC | 50 Hours |
| Instrument Training | 10 Hours |
| Technically Advanced Airplane (TAA) | 10 Hours |
Often considered the most difficult rating to achieve, becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is one of the most rewarding experiences for a pilot. Certified Flight Instructors are empowered by the FAA to share their love of aviation by teaching other pilots to fly. The process of becoming a flight instructor involves learning to fly the plane from the right seat, understanding the fundamentals of instruction as set out by the FAA, and creating lesson plans that you will one day use to teach students to be safe pilots.
Along with the initial CFI rating, Inflight also offers training for your Instrument Instructor rating, which enables instructors to teach in instrument conditions. Here at Inflight, we pride ourselves on our exceptionally high initial pass rate for this difficult checkride and enjoy creating the best flight instructors in the Twin Cities.
15 HRS AIR (Cessna 172)
$2,100
15 HRS DUAL
$1,500
30 HRS GROUND
$3,000
As you advance through your aviation career, you may consider earning your flight instructor certification. As a certificated flight instructor, you can build flight experience to meet airline and corporate hiring minimums. Being a certified flight instructor is a fun and rewarding career that utilizes all you have learned during your flight training.
There is no specific time requirement to become a flight instructor, and the training is all up to you on how fast you complete it. If you are a licensed Commercial Pilot you can do your CFI training in as little as 60 days.
After you get your CFI there is a CFII which is your instrument add on. This can be completed in about 15 hours of training and is very rewarding. You may also go on and earn your MEI which is your multi engine instructor rating.
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