Quality Score
Very Good
Base (15) + components above = 79
About
Cascade Aviation is Northwest Washington's premier flight school and flying club, operating as the Whidbey Island Flying Club at Skagit Regional Airport. They offer training from discovery flights through ATP, including private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, flight instructor, tailwheel endorsement, mountain flying, and ground school courses. The club features a diverse fleet of six aircraft and a Redbird simulator, with both Part 61 and Part 141 training available.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-28-140 (Cherokee) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $85 – $345/hr | $6,100 – $24,200 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $35 – $135/hr | $1,425 – $5,700 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $35 – $135/hr | $675 – $2,725 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,200 – $32,700 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Cascade Aviation is estimated to cost $8,200 – $32,700. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
Yes, Cascade Aviation is approved for both Part 61 and Part 141 training. Part 141 uses a structured, FAA-approved curriculum with stage checks and lowers the minimum hours for a Private Pilot Certificate from 40 to 35. Part 61 is self-paced with no required syllabus. Ask the school which path fits your schedule.
No, Cascade 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.
Cascade Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 172M (Skyhawk), Cessna 172L (Skyhawk), Piper PA-28-140 (Cherokee), Piper PA-28-161 (Warrior II), and Bellanca 7ECA (Citabria). 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, Cascade Aviation has the following flight training device: Redbird TD2 S. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Cascade Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.