Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 68
About
Elite Air Service is a full-service aviation company located at Branch County Memorial Airport (KOEB) in Coldwater, Michigan. Since 2000, they have offered flight instruction, aircraft rental, a BATD flight simulator, scenic flights, aircraft maintenance and repair, airframe painting and refurbishment, aircraft performance upgrades, and pre-purchase inspections and brokering.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172L (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $75 – $295/hr | $5,200 – $20,700 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $7,400 – $29,600 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Elite Air Service is estimated to cost $7,400 – $29,600. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Elite Air Service 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, Elite Air Service 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.
Elite Air Service's training fleet includes the Cessna 172L (Skyhawk), Cessna 205, and American Champion 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, Elite Air Service has the following flight training device: FTS VM-100. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Elite Air Service does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.