Flying Particles, Inc.
Quality Score
Limited Data
Base (15) + components above = 39
About
Flying Particles is a A 501(c)7 nonprofit recreational flying club, based in Livermore, CA. (KLVK). In 1957, five employees of the "University of California Radiation Laboratory" (today the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) formed the Flying Particles to share the costs of airplane ownership. At the time, the Livermore Airport was located at the site of a present day trailer park near the Portola Avenue exit from Highway 580. The club's first airplane was a Piper Cub, which rented for $3.00 per hour (fuel included!) and flight instruction was $2.00 per hour. The club expanded over the year to include other aircraft and more members from all over the bay area. University of California “Radiation” Laboratory was founded in 1952 on the site of a Navy Airman’s Training Center on the East side of the town of Livermore, California. That site had been used prior to World War II for one of the original Airmail Postal airports on the East-West route leading through the Salt Lake City area. Even by the 1920?s, it had been realized that the eastern end of the Livermore Valley had the best weather and provided the most reliable terminus for flights into and out of the often foggy San Francisco Bay area. FlyingParticles.org
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172N (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $60 – $250/hr Tach | $4,300 – $17,400 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Admission fee | — | one-time | $25,000 |
| Security deposit (refundable) | — | one-time | $25,000 |
| Monthly dues × 12 | 12 mo | $95/mo | $1,140 |
| Estimated Total Range | $32,100 – $128,600 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Flying Particles, Inc. is estimated to cost $32,100 – $128,600. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Flying Particles, Inc. 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, Flying Particles, Inc. 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.
Flying Particles, Inc. 's training fleet includes the Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Cessna 182P (Skylane), Cessna 182Q (Skylane), Piper PA-28 (Warrior II), Piper PA-28-181 (Archer II), and Mooney M20 J. 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 Flying Particles, Inc. . Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Flying Particles, Inc. does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.