Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 67
About
St. Cloud Aviation is a full service FBO located at the St. Cloud Regional Airport (KSTC) in central Minnesota. They offer flight training, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance and parts, avionics repair and installation, and line services including fuel, deicing, and ground handling.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 152 (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $60 – $230/hr | $4,100 – $16,200 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $25 – $100/hr | $1,050 – $4,200 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $25 – $100/hr | $500 – $2,000 |
| Estimated Total Range | $5,600 – $22,400 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at St. Cloud Aviation is estimated to cost $5,600 – $22,400. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, St. Cloud Aviation 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, St. Cloud Aviation 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.
St. Cloud Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 152, Cessna 172 (Skyhawk), Cessna 182RG (Skylane RG), and Beechcraft BE-76 (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, St. Cloud Aviation has the following flight training device: Frasca SIM. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, St. Cloud Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.