01 / PPLNo experience needed
Private Pilot
Your first certificate. Carry passengers and fly anywhere in the U.S. in visual weather conditions.
Est. all-in
$15,775
Explore →$15,775
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Flight training & pricing
Private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial pilot training at Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD). Every program is priced line by line, so you know what you're getting into before your first lesson.
02 / IFRRequires PPL
Instrument Rating
Fly in the clouds and low visibility by reference to instruments. The biggest safety upgrade you can make.
Est. all-in
$11,690
Explore →$11,690
03 / CPLCareer track
Commercial Pilot
Fly for compensation or hire. The certificate that turns flying into a profession.
Est. all-in
$12,480
Explore →$12,480
Side by side
Compare certificates.
| Private Pilot | Instrument Rating | Commercial Pilot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Est. cost | $15,775 | $11,690 | $12,480 |
| What it lets you do | Fly yourself, friends, and family in visual conditions | Fly in clouds and low visibility under instrument flight rules | Get paid to fly: instructing (with a CFI), aerial work, charter, and the path to the airlines |
| You need first | Nothing. Start from zero | Private pilot certificate | Private pilot certificate (instrument rating strongly recommended) |
| Minimum age | 17 (16 to solo) | 17 (as a private pilot) | 18 |
| FAA minimums* | 40 hours total flight time | 50 hrs cross-country PIC + 40 hrs instrument time | 250 hours total flight time |
| Hours we budget | 65 hrs aircraft · 55 hrs dual · 20 hrs ground | 30 hrs aircraft · 5 hrs sim · 40 hrs time building | 20 hrs aircraft · 95 hrs time building |
| Details | Private Pilot → | Instrument → | Commercial → |
*FAA minimums under 14 CFR Part 61. Most students need more than the legal minimum, which is why our estimates budget realistic hours.
Hourly rates
Simple, fair rates.
You pay for the airplane and the instructor, that's it. Fuel is included in aircraft rental.
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| Flight instruction (dual) | $60/hr |
| Ground instruction | $60/hr |
| Piper Cherokee rentalFuel included. Rate varies by aircraft. | From $125/hr |
| Discovery flight | $200 |
Career pilots
Zero to CFII ≈ $55,475.
Going pro? After your commercial certificate, most career pilots add a multi-engine rating and become flight instructors (CFI and CFII) to build hours toward the airlines. Here's the whole path, priced.
- Private$15,775
- Instrument$11,690
- Commercial SEL$12,480
- Multi-engine (CMEL)$6,500
- CFI$5,050
- CFII$3,980
| Item | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Flat rate for CMEL course | $5,500 | |
| Practical test | $1,000 | |
| Total | $6,500 | |
| Item | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Plane rental$130/hr | $1,300 | |
| Dual instruction$60/hr | $600 | |
| Ground instruction$60/hr | $900 | |
| Practical and written test | $2,200 | |
| Online ground school | $50 | |
| Total | $5,050 | |
| Item | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Plane rental$143/hr | $1,430 | |
| Dual instruction$60/hr | $600 | |
| Ground instruction$60/hr | $240 | |
| Practical and written test | $1,700 | |
| Online ground school | $10 | |
| Total | $3,980 | |
Total, zero experience → CFII
$55,475
- Private Pilot: $15,775
- Instrument Rating: $11,690
- Commercial single-engine: $12,480
- Multi-engine add-on: $6,500
- CFI: $5,050 · CFII: $3,980
All figures are estimates. It depends on how quickly you progress. Flying consistently and studying between lessons are the two biggest ways to keep your cost down.
Discovery flight · KCHD
Take the controls. Not the back seat.
$200One flight lesson
No commitment
No commitment
A discovery flight is the perfect first step. Experience what it feels like to pilot an airplane firsthand with this no-commitment flight lesson. And yes, you will actually be the one flying.
- You fly the airplane, with me right beside you
- Departs Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD)
- Ask anything about cost, timelines, and which certificate fits your goals
- Great first step for future career pilots and hobbyists alike