A new reports shows that the cost of flight training and the time it takes to earn a pilot certificate stabilized over the past year.
According to the fifth annual State of Flight Training Survey compiled by Redbird Flight, the cost and time required to complete primary pilot training remained consistent over the past year, signaling a plateau after steady cost increases averaging 16% year-over-year from 2020-2023.
Median costs for a private pilot certificate remain approximately $14,000, with training durations steady at around six months.
Median costs to complete an instrument rating increased by around 6% to $12,750, well shy of the 17% average year over year increase from 2020-2023, according to the survey’s findings.
Commercial costs decreased by 3% to $28,000, snapping a streak of significant year over year increases averaging 26% between 2020-2023.
For the report, Redbird collected data from more than 1,400 people, including flight training organization owners and managers, flight instructors, designated pilot examiners, active and prospective students, and certificated pilots.
Larger Flight Training Organizations Stay Ahead
The report highlights an ongoing trend favoring larger flight training organizations, with medium-sized and large schools reporting improved business outcomes compared to small schools and independent certified flight instructors.
Larger flight training organizations benefit from economies of scale, utilizing their resources efficiently in their operations to improve their profit margins and overall performance, according to Redbird officials.
Customers Continue to Value Flight Simulators
For the fifth consecutive year, customers and prospective customers of flight training organizations had a more favorable view of flight simulation in private pilot training than flight training organizations, certified flight instructors, and designated pilot examiners.
According to the latest report, 87% of active students said they plan to use a flight simulator in 2025.
Other highlights gathered from student pilots:
66% trained at only one flight training provider in 2024, down from 88% in 2023
77% had more than one primary CFI in 2024, up from 66% in 2023
54% of those surveyed were on a Pro Pilot Track.
The survey also asked respondents to rank what impacts success. It found that student prep and commitment topped the list, followed by instructor ability, instructor prep and attitude, a student’s natural ability, and the flight school.
DPEs
Redbird also surveyed Designated Pilot Examiners, first asking them how busy they were in 2024.
More than half — 52% — said they had a waiting list, while 31% said they were “very” busy.
The survey found that the the median number of check rides DPEs gave in 2024 was 150.
How much did they make? According to the report, 58% of DPEs charged between $800 to $1,000 for each check ride.
There was some discrepancy when survey respondents were asked about check ride success.
Flight training providers reported an 86% first-time pass rate, while independent CFIs reported a 73% first-time pass rate. The DPEs reported a 76% first-time pass rate.
When asked what led to check ride failures, the survey found that the top reason was training oversight, followed by piloting skill, knowledge ground, aeronautical decision-making (ADM), and knowledge in flight.
That compares to 2023, when piloting skill was considered the top reason, followed by training oversight, ADM, knowledge in flight, and knowledge ground.
Cost To Train
Curious how what you paid for your flight training compares to other students?
The 2024 survey found that the median hourly rental rates were:
$180 for training aircraft
$230 for advanced aircraft
$370 for multiengine aircraft
$45 for a Basic Aviation Training Device
$85 for an Advanced Aviation Training Device
$75 for a Flight Training Device
$65 for a CFI.
Redbird officials note that while the overall health of the flight training industry remains strong, pilot examiner issues, the cost of aircraft insurance, aircraft maintenance, and economic uncertainty continue to pose challenges to training providers.
Additionally, independent flight instructors reported difficulties gaining access to training aircraft, with 63% saying they use customer aircraft for training.
You can see the full report at RedbirdFlight.com/State-Of-Flight-Training.
