Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 69
About
Waco Flight Training is a Part 61 independent flight school based at Waco Regional Airport (KACT) in Waco, Texas. Founded in 2013 by Aaron Dabney, the only flight instructor in Texas to earn the Master Flight Instructor accreditation 7 consecutive times from NAFI, the school offers instruction for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, CFI, and CFII certificates, as well as flight reviews, IPCs, and tailwheel endorsements.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-28-180 (Cherokee) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $90 – $360/hr | $6,300 – $25,200 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $40 – $160/hr | $800 – $3,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,800 – $35,100 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Waco Flight Training is estimated to cost $8,800 – $35,100. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Waco 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, Waco 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.
Waco Flight Training's training fleet includes the Piper PA-28-180 (Cherokee) and Cessna T182T (Skylane). 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 Waco Flight Training. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Waco Flight Training does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.