Quality Score
Very Good
Base (15) + components above = 78
About
Sundowner Aviation is a Part 61 flight school based at Fairfield County Airport (KLHQ) in Carroll, Ohio, just 30 minutes south of Columbus. We offer flight training from Private Pilot through CFI, instrument ratings, commercial certificates, and multi-engine add-ons, with a fleet of Cessna 172s, Piper Cherokees, a Comanche, an Aztec, and a Redbird simulator.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172M (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $80 – $320/hr | $5,600 – $22,400 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $35 – $130/hr | $1,375 – $5,450 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $35 – $130/hr | $650 – $2,600 |
| Estimated Total Range | $7,600 – $30,500 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Sundowner Aviation is estimated to cost $7,600 – $30,500. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Sundowner 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, Sundowner 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.
Sundowner Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 172M (Skyhawk), Cessna 172L (Skyhawk), Cessna 172P (Skyhawk), Cessna 172H (Skyhawk), Piper PA-28 (Cherokee), Piper PA-24, and Piper PA-23 (Aztec). 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, Sundowner Aviation has the following flight training device: Redbird TD 1. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Sundowner Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.