How Much Does It Cost To Become A Pilot?

Is it expensive to become a pilot? How much does one need to spend to become a pilot? What is the average duration of a commercial pilot training program? I’m sure these questions must have occurred to you if you want to be a pilot.

Well, the cost of becoming a commercial pilot varies and depends on many factors. These include the type of training (integrated or modular), license cost, category of the plane (single-engine or multi-engine), instrument rating, tests, and more.  

Continue reading on as I provide a complete breakdown of how much would you need to spend to become a commercial pilot and other important details.  

 

How Much Does It Cost To Become A Commercial Pilot?

To determine how much it takes to fly a commercial aircraft, you’ll have to sum up the cost incurred in the medical certificate, training (type and duration), additional supplies (optional), and license cost. Besides, there are certain hidden costs as well that further elevate your spending. Here’s how much each of these usually costs. 

Type Of Training

A commercial pilot usually undergoes either of the two – integrated training and modular training. Both these training programs produce high-quality flyers, however, for different purposes. 

Here’s how much each of these usually costs. Let’s discuss the approximate cost of the standard commercial pilot training, depending on the training type. 

Parameters	Integrated Training	Modular Training
Approach	Integrated training is a continuous training program to obtain your CPL in the shortest time possible and without enrolling in multiple schools or programs.	Modular training is a step-by-step training program that includes several other things, including tests, checkrides, etc. Here, you’d be required to enroll in multiple schools and programs.
Duration	18 months to 2 years	3 to 5 years
Total Flying Time (Approx.)	200 hours	220 hours
Cost (Approx.)	Expensive (starts from $70,000)	Reasonable (starts from $50,000)

It’s worth noting that although airlines prefer students from the high-quality integrated flight training program, modular training is often endorsed, considering the reasonable cost. Hence, we’ll now discuss the modular training mode. 

Other Training Costs

If you’re assuming your commercial pilot training is a single-cost affair, you’re mistaken. Since it is a step-by-step flight training program, you’ll incur multiple costs throughout your modular training program. 

You’d also require a medical license. A typical medical certificate costs a minimum of $75 and may cost as much as $200, depending upon the location, doctor’s experience, and any tests (if required).

The following table summarizes the approximate cost of commercial pilot training. 

Expense Type	Total Cost (in $)	Recommend Aircraft For Training
Commercial Pilot Training	$50,000-$80,000 (SE)	Cessna 172, Diamond Da40, Piper Seneca, Diamond DA42, etc.
Medical Certificate	$75-$200
Other Training Supplies (iPad, Flight Bag, Books, etc.)	$2,500-$5,000

Some flight schools use aviation apps instead of traditional books for study purposes. In that case, add the subscription fees of approximately $100-$250 to the total. 

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Once you complete your commercial pilot training, you can now apply for your CPL. This again isn’t a single and includes the cost of the:

1. Private Pilot License (PPL) – A PPL is a prerequisite to applying for a CPL. 
2. Instrument Rating (IR) – If you wish to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR), then only an Instrument Rating is mandatory. 
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL) – You can apply for a commercial pilot license. 

Go through this table for the overall license cost. 

License/Rating	Solo Flight Hours	Dual Flight Hours	Simulator	Cost (in $)
Private Pilot License (PPL)	30 Hours	7 Hours	3 Hours	$10,000-$20,000
Instrument Rating (IR)	25 Hours	35 Hours	15 Hours	$5,000-$15,000
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)	45 Hours	30 Hours	10 Hours	$30,000-$40,000

Note: Not all flight schools provide the simulator training mode. In that case, its hours will be adjusted in your pilot-in-command (PIC) or dual-flight hours. 

Also, the above costs and training hours are meant for a single-engine (SE) commercial pilot license. Some popular SE airplanes are the Texas Aircraft Colt, Cessna Skyhawk, CubCrafters XCub, Aviat Husky A-1C-200, etc. 

To be certified to fly for major airlines, you must obtain a multi-engine (ME) pilot license. This is because all major commercial airlines use multi-engine aircraft for varied purposes. 

If you go that way, add another $5,000 to $10,000 for the CME license. Hence, the overall cost for a proper commercial pilot license falls in the $40,000 to $70,000 bracket.

 

The Hours and Costs are a Variable

Disclaimer: The aforementioned training hours are the minimum number of hours suggested by the FAA. All pilots, therefore, must train for another 10-20 hours for better proficiency. Part 61 and Part 141 also come into play here. 

So, here you go. Becoming a commercial pilot may seem costly after going through the above breakdowns, but it’s worth every penny spent, to be honest.

However, you can significantly cut down your expenses by finding the cheapest training aircraft, studying well, joining a flight club, etc. Most flight schools also help you with multiple finance options and scholarships. So, do try them as well. 

Among the various classes of aircraft pilots to choose from, only a commercial pilot license entitles you to a fixed payment for your services and certain aviation-related activities. For example, pipeline patrol, traffic reporting, agricultural applications, etc.

 

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