
What flight training costs
Flight training at Core Aviator Training is pay-as-you-go — no big upfront packages. The Cherokee 140 is $170 per hour wet (fuel and maintenance included) and instruction is $55 per hour, whether in the air or on the ground. A Discovery Flight is $175. Total cost to a Private Pilot License depends mostly on how often you fly and how well you study: the FAA minimum is 40 hours, and consistent, well-prepared students finish closest to it.
Cherokee 140 · wet rate
$170 per hour — fuel & maintenance included
One immaculate airplane, one hourly rate. No fuel surcharges, no surprises.
Start with a Discovery FlightDiscovery Flight
$175 no-commitment intro
A real first lesson with logbook credit — briefing, coastal flying, debrief.
Book a Discovery FlightInstruction
$55 per hour — flight or ground
One-on-one CFI time, in the cockpit or across the briefing table.
Talk to the instructorEstimates are current as of publication and vary by student — confirm your plan when you contact us.
What actually
determines
your total
Nobody can promise you an exact number up front — anyone who does is guessing. These four things decide it.
- 1
Frequency
How often you fly is the #1 cost driver. Consistent lessons shorten the path — long gaps mean re-learning and more hours.
- 2
Preparation
Showing up ready — ground study done, procedures chair-flown — makes every paid hour count.
- 3
Aptitude & goals
Every student learns at their own pace, and your destination (a certificate, a rating, a career) shapes the plan.
- 4
Medical & materials
Plan for a medical certificate to begin, plus books, a headset, and FAA exam fees.
Flight training is self-paced and performance-based, so totals vary with study habits, lesson frequency, weather, and aptitude. We quote honestly and you pay per session — contact us for current availability.
Pricing questions, answered
How much does it cost to earn a Private Pilot License?
How long does it take to get my license?
Do I have to pay upfront?
What is your cancellation policy?
Start with the Discovery Flight
It's the lowest-risk way to find out if flying is for you.
Serving Fort Myers · Cape Coral · Naples · Estero · Bonita Springs · Fort Myers Beach · Lehigh Acres · Punta Gorda