Sporty’s Academy – Private Pilot Training

At Sporty’s Academy, we believe in making the most efficient use of your time and money while creating a fun and rewarding experience. Our 60 years of experience in flight education has taught us that customers learn most effectively with information divided into manageable steps or modules.

This is why we deliver flight training in a modular format beginning with first solo. Each module will build on previous information – a building-block approach to your pilot experience. And each module can be completed as a stand-alone depending on your piloting goals and resources you may have to invest. Getting started is easy!

For your ground training and written test prep, we utilize the modern distance learning system – Sporty’s complete online Learn to Fly Course.

Private Pilot

A Private certificate allows the freedom and adventure to travel across the country into airports of any size with very few restrictions . You can fly in both day and night conditions. A Private pilot may also receive additional training to earn an instrument rating, high-performance or complex endorsement, and other options that will allow you to fly in more advanced aircraft and in more diverse weather conditions.

Minimum age to solo is 16. You must be at least 17 years of age to earn your license and obtain an FAA medical certification (basic physical).

Estimated course time and associated costs are below. Training times to obtain the required proficiency may vary and are greatly affected by the consistency of training. Remember, you do not have to pay this amount up front; it is spread out over the length of your training.

Sporty’s Academy Flight and Ground Instruction
Item Cost/Hour Hours Total
Airplane Rental $158.00 60 $9,480.00
Flight Instruction $47.50 47 $2,232.50
Ground Instruction $47.50 40 $1,900.00
Supplies & Equipment (not including headset) $420.00
Checkride $650
Written Exam $175
Estimated Total $14,857.50

What should I budget?

The frequency of training has the greatest impact on your total investment. Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency. A flight lesson costs about $250 and a ground lesson will be about $70 which translates to $2,000 – $3,000 per month over the course of your training (about 5-6 months).

Once you earn your license, airplanes are available to rent. You could enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon flight to grab a bite to eat with a friend for about the same cost as a flight lesson.

Aircraft insurance – Pilots must maintain at least $60k of renters insurance  (hull coverage) which can be obtained for about $600 annually. SportysAcademy.com/insurance.

Financing options available from AOPA.

For career pilot students, Meritize offers financing.


Recreational Pilot Pathway

The Recreational certificate is the quickest and least expensive license you can earn. It allows you to fly a variety of airplanes on fair weather days with a friend or family member. Adding more privileges is as simple as some additional training with an instructor. You’ll have a lot of utility with your license or may choose to transition to a Private license.

Sporty’s Academy Flight and Ground Instruction
Item Cost/Hour Hours Total
Airplane Rental $158.00 40 $6,320.00
Flight Instruction $47.50 37 $1,757.50
Ground Instruction $47.50 19 $902.50
Supplies & Equipment (not including headset) $420.00
Checkride $650
Written Exam $175
Estimated Total $10,225

What should I budget?

Frequency of training has the greatest impact on your total investment. Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency. A lesson costs about $250 which translates to $2,000 – $3,000 per month over the course of your training (about 4 months).

Once you earn your license, airplanes are available to rent. You could enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon flight to grab a bite to eat with a friend for about the same cost of a flight lesson.

Financing options available from AOPA.

What do our customers say?

…thanks for the great training!  Since I got my private pilot ticket from you guys this past September I’ve racked up 140 hours, transitioned to a Piper Archer…thanks to your training, the fundamentals are there allowing me to concentrate on additional skills such as flight following, ATC comm, etc. – Michael, New York