Quality Score
Very Good
Base (15) + components above = 86
About
Crystal Air is a family-owned and operated aviation company located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We’ve been getting people off the ground through flight training and charter flights since 1993. At Crystal Air, our dream is for the sky to be your only limit. We take the hassle out of traveling through private charter services, allowing you to land closer to your destination on your own schedule.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van's RV-12 (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $70 – $280/hr | $4,900 – $19,600 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $35 – $140/hr | $1,475 – $5,875 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $35 – $140/hr | $700 – $2,800 |
| Estimated Total Range | $7,100 – $28,300 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Crystal Air is estimated to cost $7,100 – $28,300. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Crystal Air 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, Crystal Air 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.
Crystal Air's training fleet includes the Cessna 172 (Skyhawk), Van's RV-12, Cessna 182 (Skylane), Cessna 162 (Skycatcher), Tecnam P2006T, Cirrus SR22 T (SR22T), Pilatus PC-12, and Cirrus SF50 (Vision Jet). 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 Crystal Air. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Crystal Air does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.