Ortega Aviation Services
Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 76
About
Aircraft rentals include: Cessna 172 Skyhawk Piper Pilot 100i Diamond DA-42 Twinstar
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172S (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $105 – $420/hr + $10 – $40/hr surcharge | $8,100 – $32,200 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $40 – $160/hr | $800 – $3,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $10,500 – $42,100 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Ortega Aviation Services is estimated to cost $10,500 – $42,100. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Ortega Aviation Services 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, Ortega Aviation Services 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.
Ortega Aviation Services's training fleet includes the Cessna 172S (Skyhawk), Piper PA-100-i (Pilot 100i), and Diamond DA42 (Twinstar). 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, Ortega Aviation Services has the following flight training device: Frasca AATD. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
Yes, Ortega Aviation Services charges a fuel surcharge on top of their rental rates. Ask the school how it is calculated before you start training.