The True Cost of Learning to Fly

G'day aspiring aviator! If you've ever looked up and fancied joining those high-flyers, you like many others have also probably wondered about the price tag. Sure, the initial cost of getting airborne can be hefty with the extra costs of instructors, textbooks, exams, and sometimes medicals. But I'm here to tell you not to worry about the cost of getting your ticket. After all it's nothing but a drop in the bucket compared to what you will want to be spending every ongoing year once your qualified. Let me elaborate.

The First Few Bob: Getting Started

Whether you're in the Land Down Under or anywhere else, learning to fly isn't exactly a cheap date. But here’s a quick run-down:

• Location: Whether it's Sydney or Seattle, city-based flight schools might make your wallet a tad lighter than those in the sticks.
• Type of Aircraft: Flying in the latest tech beauty with dual G1000 glass panels, autopilot and the works? That’ll cost you a bit more than hopping into an more simpler Tecnam Eaglet or Jabiru equivalent.
• Frequency of Lessons: The more often you're up there, the quicker you might get the hang of it. It almost seems counter intuitive to spend more to fly more frequent, to in the end save more if you solidify the skills and muscle memory that your instructor is sharing with you in a shorter period of time.
• Personal Pace: We all dance to a different beat. Some of us just need a few more tunes to get the steps right. My journey through learning to fly was 1 hour per week, given weather conditions were ok, but I've also known others to fly more that 5 hours in a week, and some who fly only once per month.
• Type of License: Here in Australia, the most cost-effective ticket to the skies is the Recreational Pilot Certificate (RPC). We’re talking dual rates around $300AUD an hour. Going solo? That's between $220-250AUD per hour. Not too shabby, right?

The Annual Commitment: Keeping Your Head in the Game

Once you're winging it, you're not exactly free as a bird when it comes to the ongoing costs associated with flying as a hobby.

• Aircraft Rental or Ownership: Whether you’re in Brisbane or Boston, renting an aircraft ain’t cheap. Yes, you can absolutely continue to fly around your ol' two seat trainer and save a few bucks, but I haven't met many people who didn't want to venture out into some slight bigger more refined aircraft. Owning? Well, you've got maintenance, engine and prop overhauls, hangar fees, and all the rest. Check out our calculator to see for yourself what ownership costs truly equate to in your area -> FlightFix: Calculator
• Stay Sharp: There’s the bare minimum, and then there’s being a top-notch pilot. Trust me, you wanna be the latter. Just like doing your training, proficiency comes with repetition and deliberate practice. You can't expect to get your license, not fly for 6 months of the year and maintain the exact same skill set when you decide to hop back in the seat.
• Never Stop Learning: The sky's the limit, but only if you keep up with the latest in the flying world. Workshops, seminars, the lot. Paul Craigs book The Killing Zone includes a great section on the complications that pilots faced during the transition from steam gauges to glass cockpits, and as various amendments were made to flight operations and rules in different scenarios. Knowing where and how to stay current with information might not cost you dollars, but is still a significant time investment.
• Medicals: They vary worldwide, but here and elsewhere, keeping up with your medicals is a must. Even though at the RPC level the base level requirement is to be fit enough to drive a car, you'd be well recommended to continue to evaluate and stay on top of your overall medical wellbeing for the sake of your own, your passengers, and the general publics overall safety
• Memberships and Insurance: Whether you rent or own, part of a club or a syndicate ownership, there's more than likely going to be some add on fees and costs to keep maintenance, insurance, and other consumable costs in check. It's just part of the deal.

Wrap It Up

Look, whether you're in Australia or Argentina, flying is an investment - in money, time, and heart. It's not just about how much you fork out initially, but what you're willing to chip in every year after. From my personal experience, the cost of simply obtaining your license might actually be the cheapest thing you do within flying, as every year after your flight hours get longer, and perhaps the aircraft you fly get bigger. But for the love of the skies and the thrill of the flight, for many of us, it’s worth every penny and every moment. So, are you ready to take the leap? 🛩️