Question about Commercial Certificate pricing....

[VW Pilot]

OK here is what the training costs at a local FBO for a commercial certificate.

Commercial Certificate S.E.L.
10hrs complex flight time @93/hr $930
10hrs flight instruction @ 40/hr $400
10hrs ground brief @ 40/hr $400
160hrs flight time @95/hr $15,200
(should include cross country)
written test $80
examiners fee w/practical $300
training material $200

Total $17,510.00

Their Commercial M.E.L. is $19,730......


IS this toooo much to pay? I would think so. This FBO trains under 61 or course but this is a little high right? Is it possible to get a commercial at a
141 school without going through professional programs?

I'm getting my private and instrument there. The place has reasonable pricing
on those. Just want to know some thoughts on this. Thanks.

 

[Goose Egg]

160hrs flight time @95/hr $15,200. IS this toooo much to pay?

Yes. I'm guessing that the grand total they quoted is assuming that you have around 60 hours from your private, and that you aren't going to be doing instrument training, hence that big block of 160 hours plus the 30 dual. This is to bring you up to the 250 hours required for the commercial under part 61.

You mentioned that you were doing your instrument with them, so some of that block of 160 hours would be taken care of with your instrument training and your 50 hours of PIC cross-country.

The cool thing about part 61 is that you can really structure your training how you want to structure it. For example, you could "split time" by acting as a safety pilot. I did a lot of this, and I think I ended up paying something like $27.50 per hour for most of my 50 hours of cross-country PIC. Saved a bunch of money. Also, you can count a certain amount of FTD time towards the 250 for your commercial, but I forget the actual number though. Make sure you make good use of the sim during your instrument training. That'll help cut down on costs too.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that just because a flight school publishes a price for a course, it doesn't mean that's what you'll actually pay. It could be more (rather it will be more under 141) and it could be less (much less, in my case.) It just depends on your situation and how you go about things.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM if you have any other questions.

-Goose

 

[Tonala2k]

Let me second, you're not getting a price quote, but a price example. You need to sit down and spend some time in part 61. As a student pilot I eventually drew a circle chart to break down required flight experience. The large circle was 250 hours. I then drew sub circles inside representing different required flight experience. These would overlap as the flight experience overlapped. If you're visual like me and know what I'm talking about this could be a great help in planning your attack strategy. Man I really wish I had kept that chart.

Look at the hourly rates. Also compare quality of instruction as this will keep your total dual time to a minimum. Doing your home work will also keep your dual time to a minimum.