Quality Score
Fair
Base (15) + components above = 60
About
Kirtland Flight Center is an official United States Air Force (USAF) Aero Club located on Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The club offers Part 61 and Part 141 flight training including Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Instrument, CFI, and CFII courses. Membership is open to active/retired military, DoD/DoE contractors, and Civil Air Patrol volunteers. The club operates a fleet of Cessna aircraft and a Redbird MCX flight simulator.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna T-41C (Mescalero) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $80 – $320/hr + $10 – $40/hr surcharge | $6,300 – $25,300 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $25 – $100/hr | $1,025 – $4,125 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $25 – $100/hr | $490 – $1,960 |
| Estimated Total Range | $7,900 – $31,400 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Kirtland USAF Flight Center is estimated to cost $7,900 – $31,400. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
Yes, Kirtland USAF Flight Center is approved for both Part 61 and Part 141 training. Part 141 uses a structured, FAA-approved curriculum with stage checks and lowers the minimum hours for a Private Pilot Certificate from 40 to 35. Part 61 is self-paced with no required syllabus. Ask the school which path fits your schedule.
No, Kirtland USAF Flight Center 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.
Kirtland USAF Flight Center's training fleet includes the Cessna R172K (Hawk XP), Cessna T-41C (Mescalero), and Cessna 182RG (Skylane RG). 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, Kirtland USAF Flight Center has the following flight training device: Redbird MCX. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
Yes, Kirtland USAF Flight Center charges a fuel surcharge on top of their rental rates. Ask the school how it is calculated before you start training.