Our Rates
What You Actually Pay Per Hour
All aircraft rentals are wet — fuel is always included. No surprises.
Aircraft Rental
From $155/hr
Wet (fuel included)
Fleet Range
$155–$175/hr
Multiple aircraft, different price points
Instructor (Dual)
$35/hr
Fair, flat instructor rate
Combined Dual Rate
From $185/hr
Aircraft + instructor
Discovery Flight
$199.99 flat
1.5 hrs total, full intro
Program Costs
All Programs — Our Estimate vs. SoCal Average
These are realistic total cost estimates including all flight hours, instructor time, and aircraft rental. DPE checkride fees are separate ($700–$1,200 per test, paid directly to the examiner).
Private Pilot Certificate
FAA minimum: 45 hrs · Typical: 60–75 hrs
As low as $8,325 assumes a minimum of 45 hours at $185/hr Dual (Aircraft + Instructor). Most students finish in 60–75 hrs (~$11,100–$13,875).
Accelerated Flight School
As low as $8,325
Up to $16,900+ savings
SoCal Average
$15,000 – $25,000+
Often more with inefficiency & delays
Instrument Rating
FAA minimum: 50 hrs · Typical: 50–70 hrs
FAA minimum 50 hrs cross-country PIC. Structured IFR lesson planning reduces total hours significantly.
Accelerated Flight School
~$8,700 – $15,400
Up to $8,000+ savings
SoCal Average
$16,000 – $23,000
Often more with inefficiency & delays
Commercial Pilot (from Private)
FAA minimum: 250 hrs · Typical: 250–300 hrs
Requires 250 total hours. Safety pilot strategy for building solo hours keeps costs down.
Accelerated Flight School
~$18,000 – $28,000
Up to $22,000+ savings
SoCal Average
$30,000 – $50,000
Often more with inefficiency & delays
CFI / CFII
Typical: 20–40
CFI training costs depend on your current proficiency. CFII adds instrument instructor privileges.
Accelerated Flight School
~$3,000 – $6,000
Up to $5,000+ savings
SoCal Average
$5,000 – $11,000
Often more with inefficiency & delays
Zero to Commercial + CFI
Typical: 250–300 total
Full career pathway: Private + Instrument + Commercial + CFI. Our full pathway vs. SoCal average.
Accelerated Flight School
~$40,000 – $55,000
Up to $55,000+ savings
SoCal Average
$70,000 – $110,000+
Often more with inefficiency & delays
Estimates vary based on individual proficiency, weather, and scheduling frequency. Call us for a personalized breakdown.
The Real Reason
Why We Cost Less — and Teach Better
Most people assume that a higher price means higher quality in flight training. The opposite is often true. Large academies charge more because they carry high overhead — not because their instructors are better. We charge less because we're efficient, honest, and we genuinely care about your outcome.
Every lesson has a clear objective
We teach directly to the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) from day one. No filler lessons, no confusion about what you're working toward. Fewer hours wasted = less money spent.
Checkride scheduled while you train
We coordinate examiner planning early and target a checkride within 1–2 weeks after training completion and readiness when DPE schedules, weather, and eligibility permit. Timing is never guaranteed, but early planning can reduce avoidable proficiency flying.
Low hourly rates with no hidden fees
Aircraft starting at $155/hr wet, combined dual from $185/hr. No enrollment fee, no curriculum fee, no 'materials package.' Pay for what you fly — nothing else.
Passion-driven instruction, not revenue-driven
At larger schools, higher prices signal prestige — not quality. Our instructors charge a fair rate because we want students to return and refer others. A student who passes their checkride efficiently is our best advertisement.
No upfront payment
You pay per hour, per flight. No deposits. No training bundles. No forced financing. The total you spend is a direct reflection of how efficiently you train — and we're invested in keeping that number low.
High written test scores = easier oral exams
We help you score high on the FAA written exam. Every question you miss becomes a topic you must explain perfectly at your oral exam. A 90+ written score makes your checkride dramatically shorter and smoother.
Affordable Training Means Planning the Whole Certificate
When comparing the cheapest flight school in Van Nuys, look past a headline hourly rate. A meaningful total includes wet aircraft time (fuel included), instructor cost, ground and ACS preparation, required experience, and the additional practice each individual needs before a practical test. Accelerated Flight School discusses those pieces with students so an affordable plan is based on the actual goal rather than an unrealistic minimum.
Our flight school uses lesson objectives and regular progress conversations to help students use training time efficiently without rushing learning or safety. We coordinate examiner planning early and target checkrides within 1–2 weeks after training completion and readiness when DPE schedules, weather, and eligibility permit. That is a planning goal, not a guarantee or control over a DPE's calendar.
Higher Price Does Not Mean Higher Quality
At many flight schools, the rate is high because the school has large overhead — admin staff, fleet maintenance departments, marketing budgets, fancy lobbies. None of that makes you a better pilot. In fact, at larger schools, the instructor assigned to you is often the least experienced one available, compensated just enough to keep them from leaving.
We charge a fair price and provide high quality because we want students to pass, return, and refer others. Our reputation is built entirely on results — not advertising. When you succeed, we succeed.
The cheapest flight training is the training you finish fastest — with the fewest wasted hours.