Quality Score
Very Good
Base (15) + components above = 88
About
CP Aviation has been training pilots since 1987. A friendly, family owned business located at Santa Paula Airport (KSZP) in Santa Paula, California, offering flight training, Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT/UPRT), aerobatics, tailwheel training, and aircraft maintenance. Certificates and ratings offered include Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI. Home to three Master CFIs and a world-renowned EMT program.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 150 (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $70 – $280/hr | $4,900 – $19,600 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $40 – $160/hr | $800 – $3,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $7,400 – $29,500 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at CP Aviation is estimated to cost $7,400 – $29,500. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, CP 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.
Yes, CP Aviation has a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. You can schedule your checkride directly through the school instead of finding an independent examiner on your own. In many areas DPE wait times have stretched to weeks or months, so this is worth factoring in when choosing a school.
CP Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 150, Cessna 152, Cessna 172 (Skyhawk), Cessna 182RG (Skylane), Bellanca 7GCBC (Citabria), Bellanca 7ECA (Citabria), Bellanca 8KCAB (Decathlon), and Bellanca 8KCAB (Super Decathlon). 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 CP Aviation. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, CP Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.