Growing up just a few blocks away from Van Nuys Airport, I had the privilege of viewing the wide array of small aircraft flying overhead. Whether it was a group of pilots practicing formations for an airshow or just someone showing off their PT-17 Stearman, I would grab my dad’s binoculars and watch them go by until they were out of sight. Finally, I am on the other side of the binoculars.
I am proud and honored to say that I helped many people take that first step into general aviation and connect them to their first flight. Many caught the “aviation bug” straight away from their Discovery Flight and have been forever changed since. It can be very rewarding to see fellow aviators grow from their first discovery flight to even acquiring their own aircraft.
I arranged Peter’s first flight back in February 2023 and now he owns his very own Cirrus SR20-G6 that is a part of the Clipper Aviation fleet.
With that being said, it is no secret that accomplishing your goals comes with dedication, time, and money. Training costs don't have to break the bank or your spirit. There are plenty of ways to get the most for your buck. Let’s break it down.
Finding the perfect fit and understanding the costs
Find the right flight school for your goals. The biggest question you have to ask yourself, is what am I trying to get out of my training? Is this going to be the coolest hobby or the biggest career decision of my life? Do I want an accelerated approach or training that fits my schedule? Once you have answered these questions, you can best decide which flight school is within your budget without sacrificing quality and experience.
My advice to anyone who is starting their training is to be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true or anyone that requires a heavy down payment upfront. When calculating your cost, understand that most people do not complete their training in the minimum flight hours required. The national average to complete your private pilot license is between 60-70 flight hours so please take this into account when budgeting your training path. Clipper Aviation offers a cost estimation tool to help you map out this path and you are more than welcome to contact me directly for assistance.
Discounts at Clipper Aviation
Take advantage of the resources and discounts available at your flight school. Here at Clipper Aviation, we offer 2 key ways you can save. We offer a monthly membership and block bonus. With the monthly membership you get access to reduced rental rates, 2 free hours in the SIM every month, and access to weekly ground school classes and monthly seminars. While we never require down payments, you do have the option of depositing a block of money into your account. Depending on how much money you put into your account, we award you with a bonus fund. Unused funds are available for refund upon written request. We are happy to provide this discount because it makes our administrative team easier for billing.
Get in the Zone
Immerse yourself in the aviation community to better motivate yourself and keep you on track to complete your goals. Attend seminars and airshows to extend your knowledge and meet fellow aviation professionals who can give you further insight and tips. Above everything else, come in consistently and often enough to prevent yourself from becoming rusty. Come study in our facilities and even join in the back seat of other student's flights. If your lessons are too far apart, you could feel like you are re-learning the basics and not progressing. Thus you take longer and spend more time and money on your training.
It really does take a community
Not only is it good to have someone you can share notes with, but training with fellow aviators can save you plenty of money and makes for a richer aviation journey. Two of our clients were both working on their CFI, so they wisely split the costs of a lesson and attended together. Want to build hours but not pay full price for rental? Switch as PIC to and from local airports and get the time in. Your instructor can always introduce you to other aviators but attending weekly ground school is the best place to meet others on the same track as you.
I have helped many aviators and I am here to help you get started as well. If you ever need further guidance on your aviation, any Instructor or myself would love to help you set your path. We are just one call away.
