Flying lessons are expensive and your learning doesn’t stop there. There are solo flights you have to perform in order to earn the required number of hours for you to get your private pilot certificate. But there are ways to keep your costs down. Here are some tips to help you save money while earning your private pilot certificate:
Have a plan.
Make sure you can handle the lessons and that you understand the kind of demands flying will require. Go to a local flight school and participate in discovery flights, preferably in different aircrafts. Interview pilots and flight instructors and find out how flying lessons are taught and what training aircrafts will be used.
Shorten your learning time.
When you’re in, always schedule all your flight training. If possible, don’t miss class. Shorter intervals between your lessons will help you retain what you’ve learned better. That means you don’t have to repeat any lessons to refresh your memory. This will help you save money.
If you want the cheapest way to save money in obtaining your private pilot certificate, take your lessons everyday. When the interval between lessons is this short, it’s easier for you to grasp the lessons and monitor your progress. You can also develop an intuitive understanding of your aircraft more quickly. Other than that, you can use the discounts offered for block time at your flight school.
Study ahead.
It pays to know what your next lessons are, so you can come to your lessons prepared. Your flight instructor will give you a study schedule to follow. Read about future lessons in advance. This helps you learn faster while shortening the time spent on your training.
Go small.
Try to take your pilot training using smaller aircraft. Rentals of these planes are cheaper by the hour compared to larger models. A Piper J-3 Cub, for example, will only cost you around $50 an hour while the latest Cessna plane can set you back by at least $120 an hour.
Be loyal.
Stick to just one aircraft if possible. This will help you get used to how the plane performs and to the nuances of operating it. This will shorten the time before you can fly solo and obtain your private pilot certificate.
Aim for quality.
You will need at least 60 hours of flying time to obtain your private pilot certificate, so your pilot training better be good. What your flight instructor teaches you and how you learn will be major contributing factors to how long before you earn your hours and later, your private pilot certificate.