Fly with Chadd, flight training at Van Nuys
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BY THE NUMBERS · TRANSPARENT ESTIMATES

A private pilot license costs about $17,000.

Everything below is paid as you progress, not up front. I've aggregated the full, itemized breakdown based on the numbers I logged on my own and my students' journeys, so you know exactly where the money will go before you start.

This is my recommended 4-month plan, assuming about two lessons a week. Many students spread the same steps over 6-12 months to fit their schedule - it's your pace.

DAY 1

Your first flight

Discovery flight (1 ✈ hour)
$220
Fly the plane over Malibu & LA with me beside you. It counts toward your flight hours if you decide to pursue your license.

A Discovery Flight is always the first step on your flying journey. You can take one with no commitment to any of the steps listed below.

Book a Discovery Flight
WEEKS 2–3

Get set up & start training

Clear the paperwork early, gear up, and fly your first real lessons.
FAA medical
$200
A physical with an FAA examiner. Do it early so nothing surprises you later.
Online ground school
$300
Self-paced study that preps you for the written exam.
Logbook
$15
Where every hour you fly gets recorded.
iPad
$400
Runs ForeFlight, charts, and your in-flight materials.
ForeFlight
$150
The app we use before and during every flight. Annual.
First lessons (6 ✈ hours)
$1,360
2× two-hour lessons a week - plane plus my instruction, billed by the hour.
HOW THE HOURLY RATE WORKS

The hourly rate is charged for each hour the plane is actually on and running. The Cessna 152 is $140/hr, and the Piper Archers and Cessna 172 run $180-$200/hr, all including fuel. A typical 2-hour lesson runs about 1.5 flight hours, so on the Cessna 152 the charge is $140 × 1.5. My instruction fee ($65/hr) is added on top of that.

WEEK 4

Build the fundamentals

Maintain our rhythm and begin developing independence.
Headset
$200-$1,000
An ANR headset is more expensive, but makes comms better in busy LA airspace.
Lessons (3 ✈ hours)
$680
2× two-hour lessons a week.
WEEKS 5–8

Toward your first solo

Lessons plus weekly ground bring you to flying the airplane alone.
Lessons + weekly ground (12 ✈ hours)
$2,980
2× lessons a week plus one ground session a week.
Flight insurance
$300
Required for liability before you solo. Annual.
First solo (2 ✈ hours)
$280
You fly the plane alone for the first time!
WEEKS 8–12

Cross-countries

Longer trips airport to airport, building to a solo cross-country.
Cross-country lessons (21 ✈ hours)
$4,760
2× three-to-four-hour lessons a week. Longer flights, so these cost more.
Written exam
$175
The FAA multiple-choice knowledge test.
Solo cross-country (3 ✈ hours)
$420
You navigate between three airports, on your own.
WEEKS 13–16

Checkride ready

Polish every maneuver until the test feels routine.
Prep lessons + ground (12 ✈ hours)
$3,110
2× lessons a week plus 1–2 ground sessions a week.
Checkride
$1,500
The final oral + flight test with an examiner. Pass it and you're a private pilot.
CHECKRIDE COMPLETE

You're a private pilot!

Ready to get started?

A Discovery Flight is always the first step on your flying journey.

Book a Discovery Flight
LET'S BUILD A PLAN THAT FITS YOUR PACE

Want it mapped to your budget?

Leave your info and I'll shoot you a text - we'll map these numbers to your budget, timing, and goals. No pressure, no sales pitch.

Or, if you prefer, just text/call me at 213-267-5346
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FLY WITH CHADD · VAN NUYS AIRPORT (KVNY) · HOT SHOT AVIATION