Adventure Takes Flight
Learn to fly in Kentucky
Have you ever dreamed of flying? Whether it’s for recreation, to commute or travel, or a future career, you’ll be learning rewarding new skills, seeing the world from a whole new perspective, and taking on challenges to realize your dreams. The first step in any of those goals is to earn your private pilot certificate, often referred to as a private pilot license or PPL. Keep scrolling to learn more…
Get your private pilot license
How do I start?
Your first step in learning to fly is a discovery flight with your local instructor or school. This is a not only a chance to see what it’s like to take the controls of a small aircraft, but also the chance to meet your instructor. You’ll be spending a lot of time with them, so you want to make sure they’re the right person to teach you - your discovery flight is like a job interview for your instructor! Discovery flights typically cost $100-$200 depending on how long you fly for. Once that’s done, you’ll want your medical - talk to your instructor about that.
How do I pick a school or instructor?
There are dozens of schools and independent instructors to choose from. Which you go with can depend on your budget, timeline, and learning style. There is no rule that one choice has better instruction or produces better pilots than the other.
Many flight schools offer a fixed syllabus which has predictable milestones and there’s usually better availability of both aircraft and instructors. There are some reduced flying requirements* through approved Part 141 schools, but most students go beyond those requirements anyway. Flight schools typically cost more, and there’s no guarantee the instructor is any more qualified than an independent instructor.
Independent instructors often follow their own syllabus and can personalize instruction where necessary. While instruction is cheaper, you won’t be able to schedule lessons if your instructor is sick or otherwise unavailable, and you may have to postpone lessons if the aircraft they use needs maintenance.
How long does it take to get my private pilot certificate?
The amount of instruction and flying required to get your private pilot certificate varies - the FAA minimum is 40 hours of flying time (*or 35 at Part 141 schools) with at least 20 hours of instruction, but most students have 55 to 75 hours of flying when they get their private pilot certificate.
If you are on a consistent schedule with good weather and aircraft availability allowing you to fly multiple times a week, you can pass in as little as a few months. If you fly around a busy schedule or have interruptions to your lessons, it could take eight months or more.
How much does it cost to get my private pilot certificate?
There are a lot of variables affecting how much it costs. Different flight schools, flight clubs, and rental companies have different rates for their aircraft, and instruction rates depend on the instructor or school. The numbers below are based on 60 hours of flying in a Cessna 172, 40 hours of flight instruction, and 10 hours of ground instruction - your requirements may vary.
Lexington KY based flight school:
Aircraft and fuel - $11,100
Flight instruction - $3,600
Ground instruction - $900
Tests - $1,175
Medical, equipment, and fees est. - $1,000
TOTAL - $17,775
Lexington KY based independent instructor:
Aircraft and fuel - $9,100
Flight instruction - $2,400
Ground instruction - $400
Tests - $1,175
Medical, equipment, and fees est. - $1,000
TOTAL - $14,075
Flight instructors in Lexington
Want to be connected with your local independent flight instructor? Fill out the form and we’ll put you in touch with an instructor in Lexington KY who will be happy to answer your questions or get you set up with a discovery flight!
You can also view a complete list of approved instructors at the Lexington Flying Club by following this link.