Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 67
About
Van Sant Historic Airfield is a vintage aviation experience located at Van Sant Airport (9N1) in Erwinna, PA. Offering rides, instruction, and rentals in classic biplanes, Cubs, Champs, Taylorcrafts, and gliders, the airfield has been a living piece of aviation history for over 50 years. Whether you want to experience open-cockpit biplane flying, learn to fly tailwheel aircraft, or simply enjoy watching antique aircraft on a sunny afternoon, Van Sant is a unique destination for pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schweizer SGS 2-33 (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $30 – $120/hr | $2,100 – $8,400 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $4,300 – $17,300 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at The Bird of Paradise at Van Sant is estimated to cost $4,300 – $17,300. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, The Bird of Paradise at Van Sant 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, The Bird of Paradise at Van Sant 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.
The Bird of Paradise at Van Sant's training fleet includes the Boeing 75 (Stearman), Piper J-3 (Cub), Bellanca 7GCAA (Citabria), Schweizer SGS 2-33, and Schweizer SGS 2-32. 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 The Bird of Paradise at Van Sant. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, The Bird of Paradise at Van Sant does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.