Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 73
About
Since 1974, Ponderosa Aero Club has offered our members top-notch aircraft, an excellent safety record, thorough aviation education, and close-knit camaraderie.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-28-180 (Cherokee) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $40 – $160/hr Hobbs | $2,800 – $11,200 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $35 – $135/hr | $1,425 – $5,700 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $35 – $135/hr | $675 – $2,725 |
| Admission fee | — | one-time | $800 |
| Monthly dues × 12 | 12 mo | $115/mo | $1,380 |
| Estimated Total Range | $6,000 – $24,000 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Ponderosa Aero Club is estimated to cost $6,000 – $24,000. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Ponderosa Aero Club 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, Ponderosa Aero Club 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.
Ponderosa Aero Club's training fleet includes the Cessna T210, Cirrus SR22T G6, Cirrus SR20 G6, Cessna 182Q (Skylane), Mooney M20 E, Diamond DA40 180 (Star), Cessna 172F (Skyhawk), Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Cessna 172H (Skyhawk), Cessna 172L (Skyhawk), Cessna 172K (Skyhawk), Cessna 150, Piper PA-28-180 (Cherokee), and Diamond DA20 A1 (Katana). 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, Ponderosa Aero Club has the following flight training devices: Redbird TD2 and Pilot Edge Simulator. Ask the school which ratings the devices count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Ponderosa Aero Club does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.