Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 65
About
Sterling Flight Training's Tallahassee campus, located at Tallahassee International Airport, offers Part 61 and Part 141 flight training programs including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, CFI, Multi-Engine Rating, and Simulator Training. Named AOPA best flight school in the Southeast in 2017, Sterling provides a fun, friendly, and safe environment for learning to fly in North Florida.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-44 (Seminole) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $175 – $700/hr | $12,300 – $49,000 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $14,500 – $57,900 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Sterling Flight Training is estimated to cost $14,500 – $57,900. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Sterling Flight Training 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, Sterling Flight Training 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.
Sterling Flight Training's training fleet includes the Cessna 172 (Skyhawk) and Piper PA-44 (Seminole). 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, Sterling Flight Training 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, Sterling Flight Training does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.