Sport Pilot Talk

NismoRR · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 71 Location: Murrieta, CA

I just added up all the costs associated with obtaining my ticket and thought it might be helpful for some of you guys to see the full breakdown.

Total hours were 33.6, including the checkride which was just 1.0. :wink:

The SkyCatcher rented for $110/hr when I began and went up to $125/hr after my 15th hour. I'll list the misc. stuff seperately. Books included the Airplane Flying Handbook and Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

MISC

Gleim SP study kit $140
Additional Books 50
Headset 128
Knowledge Test 140
Flightbag/Kneeboard 110
Ground Training for Checkride 80
Checkride Fee for DPE 500
------

Total Misc. $1,148

Flight Training

33.6 Hours (dual/solo) $5,600
---------

TOTAL COST FOR TICKET $6,748

That's it. $6,748 is a decent number and I'm happy with it. My original goal was to get it done in 30 hrs, and probably could have, but the last two lessons were excellent, one of which was pattern work with the DPE five days before the checkride, and was worth every penny.

flyboy2007 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 79 Location: wisconsin

Mine was under 2,000 about 4 years ago.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

Thanks for a very useful data point. Your figures are realistic. My students average right around 30 hours, so your experience was pretty much on par. Our overhead here in Lock Haven is a bit lower than near a big city, so our rental rates are a tad lower (currently $113/hour wet, including the fuel surcharge). My students don't typically purchase a headset (I provide them for training; they may buy their own afterward), so that's one less expense for them. Our books are a bit cheaper than the figure you list. Your DPE charges more than ours does. All in all, I tell my students to budget $5000, and that seems to cover everything for most of them. (Your mileage may vary...)

zaitcev · Joined: 05 Jan 2010 Posts: 258 Location: Albuquerque, NM

I expended $14400 to get my Private, because I'm dumb. Most of it went into renting a Cherokee at $130/hr for 72 hours. I would say $6500 for Sport sounds realistic.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

zaitcev wrote: I expended $14400 to get my Private, because I'm dumb.

Not dumb, Pete, thorough. You wanted to get it right. And, yes, you spent more than the average on the PPL (it can be done for around $10,000 in most cases). But, look at all the hours of flying you got in, and all the fun you had!

Paul (the glass-half-full CFI...)

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

zaitcev wrote: Most of it went into renting a Cherokee at $130/hr

I know that seems like a lot, but it really isn't. With fuel prices as high as they are, even LSAs are now renting for $110 to $120/hour -- and, the Cherokee drinks more. Plus, look at the cost of new: a well-equipped modern LSA can be had for around $130,000, while a new Piper Archer is a shocking $300k!

bryancobb · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:30 am Post subject: Accounting types

For you accounting-types, I spent a total of $2,800 to get my Private in 1986.
It consisted of 41.5 hours of Tomahawk rental at Peter O'Knight in Tampa, 21.5 hours dual. Aviation Seminars weekend test prep. Test. Plotter. E-6B. Checkride.

No headset, no frills.

How much would that be...corrected for inflation...if flying an older C-152 and a Subpart H CFI?

Once I took my checkride, the Piper Colt rented for $19.00 per hour, wet!

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

bryancobb wrote: How much would that be...corrected for inflation...if flying an older C-152 and a Subpart H CFI?

I'm no accountant, Bryan, but a quarter century later, I think that would inflate by about a factor of three. So, you're talking under $9000 in current dollars. You did very well! (I do believe most PPL candidates spend around $10k or up these days).

bryancobb · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Accounting types

drseti wrote: ...but a quarter century later...

Damn! That hurt! That sounds like right after the Civil War!

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

bryancobb wrote: That sounds like right after the Civil War!

Actually, Bryan, getting old isn't half bad, especially when you consider the alternative.

All best from a not-so-bold pilot...

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

I get asked this question all the time and I say there is a big range, from $3000 to $10,000. I have detailed ALL the costs so people can see how they wouold fit in.

see
http://sportaviationcenter.com/pilot-training/airplane-training-costs/
for options.

NismoRR · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 71 Location: Murrieta, CA

bryancobb wrote:
How much would that be...corrected for inflation...if flying an older C-152 and a Subpart H CFI?

No accountant here, but a financial consultant. :D Lets use the "Rule of 72." You divide 72 by an assumed interest rate to find out how long it takes money to double. In this case, we'd be using the inflation rate. I don't know the exact inflation rate (on average) over the last 25 years, but if it were 3%, the money, or cost in this case, would double in 24 years (72/3). If inflation was 5%, it would double in 14.4 years. (72/5). And just to further the example and see how rates really effect money, if the rate was 10%, money would double every 7.2 years. So, for an investment, if you had $100,000 and could earn 10%, you would have $200,000 in 7.2 years.

In Bryan's case, if inflation were 3%, the cost would have doubled in 2010. If 4%, It would double TWICE (or 4x the original cost) in 36 years, or 2022. (72/4=18 ) Or, it would approx. triple in 27 years, or 2013. I think this would be fair, and Paul hit it on the head!