Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 69
About
Bay Aviation is a flight school and warbird experience provider located at Hummel Field (W75) in Topping, Virginia. We offer flight instruction in our Cessna 172 and Fairchild PT-19 WWII trainer, including private pilot training, tailwheel endorsements, aerobatic rides, scenic bay tours, and warbird training packages.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172 (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $75 – $310/hr | $5,400 – $21,600 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $30 – $120/hr | $1,250 – $5,050 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $120/hr | $600 – $2,400 |
| Estimated Total Range | $7,300 – $29,000 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Bay Aviation is estimated to cost $7,300 – $29,000. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Bay Aviation operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, Bay Aviation does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
Bay Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 172 (Skyhawk) and Fairchild PT-19. Having multiple types in the fleet keeps your training on track if one plane is down for maintenance. Ask the school about current availability and any additional charges per aircraft.
No flight simulators are listed for Bay Aviation. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Bay Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.