Quality Score
Limited Data
Base (15) + components above = 49
About
Cape Fear Coastal Aviation (CFCA) is a flight school and Cirrus Training Center based at the Wilmington International Airport. We’re proud to be the first program in the area offering a simulator-based training syllabus. Our next-generation approach saves our students time and money by preparing them to take flight before they even set foot in an aircraft. In addition, Cape Fear Coastal Aviation offers management of privately owned Cirrus aircraft, as well as a leaseback program. Whatever your objective is, whether it’s getting your private pilot license, instrument rating, earning your commercial, CFI, or transitioning to a Cirrus aircraft, we’ll work with you to create a plan that fits your goals. You’re in control! We’ll work with you to tailor your training to match your schedule and learning style. Going beyond simply producing pilots, CFCA’s mission is to develop skilled, safe, aware, and inspired aviators.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172S (Skyhawk SP) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $130 – $510/hr | $8,900 – $35,700 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $50 – $200/hr | $2,100 – $8,400 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $11,600 – $46,300 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Cape Fear Coastal Aviation is estimated to cost $11,600 – $46,300. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Cape Fear Coastal 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, Cape Fear Coastal 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.
Cape Fear Coastal Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 172S (Skyhawk SP), Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Diamond DA42 NG (Twin Star), Cirrus SR20 G7, and Cirrus SR22 G7. 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.
Yes, Cape Fear Coastal Aviation has the following flight training devices: Redbird BATD Cessna 172/G1000 and FlightTech 1 Circus SR20/SR22/SR22T (AATD). Ask the school which ratings the devices count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Cape Fear Coastal Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.