Quality Score
Fair
Base (15) + components above = 51
About
Cardinal Wings Aviation is Louisville's premier flight training provider and the only Cirrus Certified Training Center serving the Louisville, KY area. Located at Bowman Field (KLOU), CWA offers primary and advanced instruction in airplanes and helicopters, including private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, CFI/CFII, and helicopter flight training. The fleet includes Cessna 172s, Cirrus SR20 and SR22s, Robinson R-22, and Robinson R-44. Additional services include aircraft rental, discovery flights, aircraft shared ownership, aircraft management, sales and acquisitions, and helicopter tours.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172M (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $65 – $250/hr | $4,400 – $17,500 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $6,600 – $26,400 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Cardinal Wings Aviation is estimated to cost $6,600 – $26,400. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Cardinal Wings 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, Cardinal Wings 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.
Cardinal Wings Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 172M (Skyhawk), Cirrus SR22T G6, Cirrus SR20 G6, Robinson R22, and Robinson R44. 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 Cardinal Wings Aviation. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Cardinal Wings Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.