Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 71
About
Southern Maine Aviation is a Part 61 and Part 141 flight school and FBO located at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport (KSFM) in Sanford, Maine. We offer private, instrument, commercial, tailwheel, multi-engine, and CFI training, as well as scenic and discovery flights, aircraft maintenance, and corporate arrival services.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172 (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $110 – $440/hr | $7,700 – $30,800 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $40 – $160/hr | $800 – $3,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $10,200 – $40,700 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Southern Maine Aviation, LLC is estimated to cost $10,200 – $40,700. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
Yes, Southern Maine Aviation, LLC 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, Southern Maine Aviation, LLC 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.
Southern Maine Aviation, LLC's training fleet includes the Cessna 172 (Skyhawk), American Champion 7ECA (Citabria), and Beechcraft BE76 (Duchess). 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, Southern Maine Aviation, LLC has the following flight training device: Redbird FMX. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Southern Maine Aviation, LLC does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.