This period is determined by a digital recording clock in the airplane called the hobbs meter. Also, your instructor will charge around $20 to $30 an hour for the time that you spend with him.

Your pilot training environment determines the method of payment for instruction. You may be charged separately for each lesson or the school may offer a set number of lessons for a fee paid in advance. The total cost of your flight training largely depends on the number of flight hours which are necessary for you to complete your training program.

The number of hours required for you to become proficient depends on several factors, such as your initial comfort level with the airplane, whether you have any previous flying experience, and the frequency of your flight lessons. For example, the longer the time period between lessons, the less information you retain, and the more time you spend reviewing during each lesson. If you are able to fly at least several times a week, your training may be more cost-effective.

In addition to the expense of flight lessons, you will have to consider the cost of ground instruction. This cost will depend on which method of ground instruction you have selected; ground school classes, individual lessons with your instructor, home study, or a combination of the above methods.

The total expense of pilot training also includes the cost of study materials, a logbook, a copy of the pilot’s operating handbook for the training airplane, aeronautical charts, a flight computer, navigational plotter, certificate knowledge test, fees for aviation medical examiner for your medical certificate, and fees for the designated examiner who administer your practical test. While the cost of pilot training is significant, you’ll find most pilots agree that the benefits of learning to fly are well worth the expense.