You Can Fly - 2023 Edition - 37

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Check out the AOPA Air Safety
Institute for free educational
content like quizzes, videos,
podcasts, and safety spotlights.
airsafetyinstitute.org
DO THE MATH
Here's an idea of what one lesson might
cost you:
1 hour in the airplane: $150
1 hour with the instructor in the air: $50
18 minutes pre/postflight briefing: $15
Total= $215
At that rate, let's consider what it
would take in the FAA's designated minimum
number of hours:
40 hours total, at least 20 of which is with
an instructor, and 10 hours solo. We'll say
we're in a perfect world and 20 hours were
with an instructor and 20 were solo.
$215 x 20 hours=4,300
$150 x 20 hours=3,000
Total=$7,300
And now, at a more typical 60 hours:
50 with an instructor, 10 solo.
$215 x 50 hours=$10,750
$150 x 10 hours=$1,500
Total=$12,250
Throw in another $1,500 for checkride,
written testing fees, and gear
(headset, kneeboard, software, study
material), and you're looking at around
$8,800 best case and around $13,750
more realistically.
Naturally, we want to keep that total
as low as possible, so here are some tips
on how to do that.
GET THE MONEY TOGETHER
It's a good idea to start with most if not
all your intended cost set aside so that
you don't get into the thick of training,
run out of money, and never finish.
If you have the disposable income to
start whenever you want, great, but for
the average person, this phase takes
planning.
Streamline the saving process by
creating an automatic savings plan
(which many banks offer for free) that
automatically adds a certain amount on a
designated schedule, and also tells
you when you will reach your savings
goal. You could also get a loan for part
or all of your training or a temporary
second job.
Many aviation organizations, including
AOPA, offer scholarships. While an
award is not guaranteed, you can't win if
you don't try, so take a chance and apply.
Other organizations with scholarships
include The Ninety-Nines, Women in
Aviation, and the Seaplane Pilots Association.
Your local airport might also have
its own scholarship, so ask around.
CHOOSE WISELY
Once you start training, schedule your
lessons close together. You should plan
on flying at least twice a week, and ideally
three times or more. But before you
dive in, carefully consider timing. When
is the slowest season at your job? When
is the weather best? Does your employer
offer sabbaticals or leaves of absence?
Attempting to start training in your
work's busiest season or in the height
of winter may needlessly increase the
challenge and cost of learning to fly.
Flying back-to-back-to-back will cost
less in the long run; you won't have to
repeat lessons because of skill decay, and
you'll also feel much more confident in
the airplane.
STUDY
Scholarships
Made possible through donations
to the AOPA Foundation, more
than $1 million in scholarships
are a major benefit of AOPA
membership, helping members
reach their aviation goals.
aopa.org/scholarships
Flying is the fun part (of course), but
becoming a pilot requires book work
and studying as well. There's nothing
more frustrating than getting ready
for a flight on a beautiful day and then
being told by your instructor that you
must spend that time doing groundwork
instead because you didn't study.
Don't waste time and money by not
doing your homework. If you show
up prepared for lessons you will not
only save your instructor the need to
repeat themselves, but you'll also likely
become their favorite student.
AVIATION PIONEERS
R. A. " BOB " HOOVER
" I'm just like anybody else. I get
scared when I know all hell is
breaking loose around me, or I'm
on fire, but I have conditioned
myself to react with 'What are
you going to do to get out of
this?' That has saved my life a lot
of times because I could respond
without having to think. "
-Known as " the greatest stick-andrudder
man that ever lived " Hoover
was a test pilot, fighter pilot, aerobatic
performer, and executive at North
American Rockwell. During World War
II he escaped a POW camp by stealing a
German airplane.
Does it seem overwhelming? Here's
a little checklist you can follow to get
started. Good luck!
1. Acquire the funds. If you have to
wait and save up, milestones of a thousand
dollars can help you feel like you're
making progress.
2. Apply for a scholarship.
3. Choose a time to start training that
makes sense with your schedule, obligations,
and the weather.
4. Schedule a month of training, at
least two lessons a week, and never leave
the airport without knowing when your
next lesson will be.
alicia.herron@aopa.org
FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2023
37
http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org http://www.aopa.org/scholarships
You Can Fly - 2023 Edition

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