Simple, honest pricing
These are my instruction rates. Aircraft rental is billed separately by XL Aviation at KLVK (wet — fuel included).
Private Pilot
$40/hr
Dual flight instruction toward your Private Pilot certificate.
Advanced
$90/hr
Commercial, flight reviews, endorsements & advanced training.
Dedicated Ground
$25/hr
Focused one-on-one ground instruction on any subject.
Instrument flight instruction & IPCs available October 2026 (CFII in final stage).
What it actually costs
The honest answer: most students earn their Private certificate in about 50–70 hours (the FAA minimum is 40, but real-world averages run higher). All in, plan on roughly:
$11,600 – $15,500
estimated total to your Private Pilot certificate
My instruction
~35–49 dual hours @ $40/hr
Aircraft rental (via XL, wet)
~50–70 hours @ ~$170/hr
Ground instruction
~10 hours @ $25/hr
FAA fees & materials
Written test, 3rd-class medical, examiner checkride, books & headset
This is an estimate, not a quote. It assumes ~$170/hr wet for a Cessna 172 (confirm current aircraft rates with XL Aviation), about 70% of your hours flown dual, and typical fees for the FAA written test, a 3rd-class medical, the examiner’s checkride fee, and study materials. Your real total depends on pace and consistency — flying often is the single biggest way to keep it down.