Cost Implications of Flying Daily with a Private Pilot License (PPL)

One of the most frequently asked questions among aspiring private pilots is about the daily cost of flying with a Private Pilot License (PPL). This article will explore the cost implications of flying daily based on different scenarios. Whether you rent or own your aircraft, let's dive into how much daily flying can cost.

Factors Affecting Daily Flying Costs

The price of daily flying will depend on several important factors, including the type of aircraft, rental or purchase, speed, and duration of flights. Let's break down these factors with an example based on the author's home airport near Palo Alto, California, USA.

Example at the Home Airport

If you rent a decent airplane, you can expect to pay between $130 to $150 per hour, which includes the cost of fuel. Most people feel that flying for less than an hour doesn't make much sense, as a typical flight might last between one and a half to two hours. This brings the daily cost to around $200 if you fly for just one day.

For those seriously considering daily flying, it might make more sense to buy an airplane or a share of an airplane. Since the author owns a small piston-engine aircraft from 1976, which they share with a couple of other pilots, they can break down the costs. With monthly fixed costs of $250 and variable costs of approximately $40 per hour for maintenance and $40 per hour for fuel, the cost per additional hour of flying is around $80. If you take along someone to share the fuel costs, the hourly rate drops to about $60.

General Guidelines

Based on the experiences and examples outlined above, here are some general guidelines for daily flying costs:

Rental aircraft: Daily rates can range from $130 to $150, depending on the type and features of the aircraft, with fuel included. Shared ownership: Monthly costs might range from $250 to $300, with an additional $60 to $80 per hour for variable costs like fuel and maintenance. Daily flying: Monthly flying can easily exceed $400 to $500, considering all costs.

Pro Tip

For a more accurate assessment, consider calculating your costs based on your local club’s wet lease rate and the specific requirements for maintaining your PPL, such as the 12 hours of flying every 2 years necessary in the UK, as noted by John Privett.

Whereas these general guidelines can provide a starting point, the cost of daily flying can vary significantly based on local prices and individual circumstances.