Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 70
About
Washington International Flight Academy (WIFA) is a premier flight school located at Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, MD, operating since 1989. Offering FAA Part 61 and Part 141 training programs including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor courses, WIFA has trained thousands of pilots from hobbyists to airline captains.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172R (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $90 – $360/hr | $6,300 – $25,200 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $35 – $140/hr | $1,475 – $5,875 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $35 – $140/hr | $700 – $2,800 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,500 – $33,900 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Washington International Flight Academy is estimated to cost $8,500 – $33,900. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
Yes, Washington International Flight Academy is approved for both Part 61 and Part 141 training. Part 141 uses a structured, FAA-approved curriculum with stage checks and lowers the minimum hours for a Private Pilot Certificate from 40 to 35. Part 61 is self-paced with no required syllabus. Ask the school which path fits your schedule.
No, Washington International Flight Academy 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.
Washington International Flight Academy's training fleet includes the Cessna 172XP (Skyhawk), Cessna 172R (Skyhawk), Cessna 172P (Skyhawk), Cessna 172SP (Skyhawk), Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Cessna 172Q (Skyhawk), Piper PA-28-181 (Archer), Piper PA-28-161 (Warrior), Piper PA-28R-201 (Arrow), Piper PA-44-180 (Seminole), and Piper PA-34-200 (Seneca). 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, Washington International Flight Academy 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, Washington International Flight Academy does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.