Transparent pricing
Most schools hide their rates behind a phone call. We publish ours, because you can't plan around a number you can't see.
It is your first real lesson, not a ride. You fly the Warrior or the Luscombe with a North Aero CFI and leave with your first logbook entry. Afterward, we build your written estimate with you.
Current rates
Rates effective November 2026. You build your training cost from these three numbers, and we'll put a written estimate together with you at your discovery flight.
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| Piper Warrior (N41459) | $220/hr |
| Luscombe 8E (N1302B), Luscombe Club member | $120/hr |
| Luscombe 8E (N1302B), non-member | $195/hr |
| Flight instruction | $160/hr |
The Luscombe member rate requires the $200/month Luscombe Club membership. Both aircraft rates are wet, on the hour meter.
Tailwheel endorsement, full program at program hours (5 lessons, 5.0 ground and 9.5 dual): $3,628 with membership, $4,172.50 without. An estimate, not a quote. The full breakdown is in the published tailwheel program pricing.
For a full program estimate built from our actual syllabus, see the private pilot estimate below, the sport pilot cost breakdown, or schedule a discovery flight and we'll run your numbers with you.
Private pilot program
Built from our 37-lesson private pilot syllabus (curriculum 5.1) at the November 2026 rates. An estimate, not a quote. Some students finish in fewer hours, some need more.
| Airplane | Pay as you go | Prepay each phase (10% off) |
|---|---|---|
| Piper Warrior (N41459) | $31,300 | $28,170 |
| Luscombe 8E (N1302B), Luscombe Club member | $25,000 | $22,500 |
Includes aircraft time and instruction, ground and flight, for all 37 lessons. Not included: the $200/month Luscombe Club membership, the FAA medical exam, the knowledge test fee, the examiner's checkride fee, and books and materials. Prepay any full phase to save 10%. You can stop after any phase.
Most people see a total like this and assume borrowing. It should be the last option, not the first. There are seven ways to pay for flight training, and six of them keep you out of debt entirely.
See the seven ways to pay →No surprises
Common questions
It depends mostly on how often you fly. Students who train two to three times a week finish fastest and cheapest, because they aren't paying to re-learn last month's lesson. Consistency is the single biggest cost lever you control.
Some students finish under an estimate, some over. That's why we quote from our full syllabus instead of FAA minimums, and why we review your progress with you as you train instead of surprising you at the end.
Yes, and we'd rather you know now: the FAA medical exam, the knowledge (written) test fee, the examiner's fee for your checkride, and books and materials. The free Pilot Cost Guide itemizes all of it.
Ask us at your discovery flight and we'll walk you through the current options for paying for training.
The free Pilot Cost Guide itemizes everything, or call and we'll run your numbers together.
