How to Pay for Pilot School: A Guide To Understanding the True Cost of Flight Training and Avoiding Flight School Loan Pitfalls

For aspiring pilots, the dream of flying can feel exhilarating—until it collides with financial reality. At Dobbs Flight Service, we believe that every student deserves clear, honest guidance when it comes to the true cost of flight training. Unfortunately, one of the top reasons student pilots never earn their wings is because of one issue: money.

Too many students begin flight training without a full understanding of what it really costs. This industry can be confusing, with varying regulations, misleading quotes, and surprise fees. Many flight schools advertise the bare minimum required by the FAA—just 40 hours for a private pilot under Part 61. But here’s the truth: hardly anyone finishes at that number. In fact, AOPA reports that the national average for private pilot certification falls between 70 and 80 hours.

That’s nearly double the minimum—and double the cost many students expect.