Quality Score
Fair
Base (15) + components above = 64
About
Seaplane Scenics is Seattle's premier float and land plane scenic flight experience, offering scenic tours, charter flights, and flight training in the Seattle and Renton, Washington area. Training includes seaplane ratings (ASES), introductory flights, tail wheel and spin awareness, and more, operated by FAA Certified Flight Instructor James Young with over 34 years of flying experience.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 185F (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $150 – $600/hr | $10,500 – $42,000 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $50 – $200/hr | $2,100 – $8,400 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $50 – $200/hr | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Estimated Total Range | $13,600 – $54,400 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Seaplane Scenics is estimated to cost $13,600 – $54,400. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Seaplane Scenics 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, Seaplane Scenics 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.
Seaplane Scenics's training fleet includes the Cessna 185F, Cessna 172L (Skyhawk), Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), and Van's RV-6. 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 Seaplane Scenics. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Seaplane Scenics does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.