Is becoming a pilot worth the cost?

Is becoming a pilot worth the cost?

One of the downsides to flying is that flight training is really expensive, and the starting salary for most flight instructors or regional airline pilots is hardly enough to make a living. Throw student loans and a family into the mix and that $30,000 starting pilot salary isn't going to cut it.

How much does a small plane cost?

These may be purchased new, for an up-front cost of $8,000 to $15,000. Single-Engine Planes: These planes which hold two or more people and are more economical to operate and maintain than multi-engine planes, typically cost between $15,000 and $100,000.

Can you make money with a private pilot license?

Someone with a “Private Pilots License” can't earn an income from flying an airplane. That requires at least a Commercial Pilot's License or an Airline Transport Rating. But, a private pilot CAN use an airplane for transportation as long the aircraft is just for transportation.

How much does a Cessna 172 cost?

The 180 hp 172S, referred to by Cessna as the 172-SP, goes for $307,500; the 160 hp 172R sells for $274,900. Newer models still aren't cheap.

How long does it take to learn to fly a plane?

While it varies widely by the student, it can take anywhere from 2 months to 1 year to learn how to fly a plane. A Private Pilot Certificate requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, 20 of which must be with an instructor. The national average in the United States is between 60 and 70 hours.

How much does a private pilot make?

Private pilots are paid similarly to commercial airline pilots — for example, private jet company NetJets pays its pilots an average of $111,800 a year, according to Glassdoor. Many of these private jet companies, including NetJets and Flexjet, pay by the hour and are unionized.

How much do pilots get paid?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots and copilots is $117,290. The bottom 10 percent earned under $60,770, while the top 10 percent earned more than $187,200. When considering a potential career there are many factors to look at.

Do you need a degree to be a pilot?

A: A bachelor's degree is not required to be an airline pilot. Some airlines do require it, while others do not. I would recommend attending a college or university. Having a degree will give you greater options and leave you in a better position if a medical issue were to prevent you from flying professionally.