Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 76
About
Crosswinds Aviation is a flight school based in Michigan offering Part 61 and Part 141 flight training from multiple locations including Howell (KOZW), Pontiac (KPTK), Flint (KFNT), and Willow Run (KYIP). They offer training for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine ratings, utilizing a modern fleet of Diamond DA20, DA40, and Cessna 172S aircraft all equipped with glass panel avionics.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond DA20 (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $90 – $360/hr | $6,300 – $25,100 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $35 – $140/hr | $1,450 – $5,800 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $35 – $140/hr | $700 – $2,750 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,400 – $33,600 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Crosswinds Aviation is estimated to cost $8,400 – $33,600. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Crosswinds 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, Crosswinds 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.
Crosswinds Aviation's training fleet includes the Diamond DA40, Diamond DA20, and Cessna 172S (Skyhawk). 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, Crosswinds Aviation has the following flight training device: Redbird TD2. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Crosswinds Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.