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tl;dr: private license is gonna run you about $10k. Instrument add-on another $10k (for flying in less than fair weather, it's basically required). You don't h

by RNCTX 5y ago

tl;dr: private license is gonna run you about $10k. Instrument add-on another $10k (for flying in less than fair weather, it's basically required). You don't have to own an airplane, the above presume renting one ($150 to $200 per hour depending on the particulars).

verst 5y ago
Definitely closer to $15k for VFR alone in the Seattle area. Doing this right now at Boeing Field. Cessna 172 with G1000 avionics rental rate is 185/hour wet (with fuel) if you pay for a membership program at the flight school. Otherwise ~200/hour. For rentals you pay for engine time only. There are usually minimums per day if you wanted to rent a plane for a weekend trip or something like that. Flying Seattle to Orcas Island is a fun little trip.
- RNCTX 5y ago
  G1000 is overkill for PPL, though. Admittedly I did mine in 2011 so it's been awhile, but I was paying $145 an hour then plus $60 for the CFI, so around $200 per hour all in. Considering you can do 10 hours sim time toward the minimums, I don't think $10k is impossible? But ancillary stuff will probably get you to $11k or $12k admittedly. In my case I did the American Flyers weekend ground school for the written test and they gave you a few hours of sim time included with the course cost.
  - GekkePrutser 5y ago
    It's overkill but it's more easy to fly with. No periodic adjustment of the gyros etc. I also find it much easier to view everything in one go. Our non-G1000 has autopilot and the G1000 doesn't (it's an expensive option) but I still prefer the G1000.
    - RNCTX 5y ago
      No doubt safer for IFR purposes. I have a little time in a G1000 but a lot more with aftermarket Aspen panels, I put them in my own airplane back in 2014. I had no problem taking off into a fog with 3D terrain in the panel. On old mechanical gauges with nothing but a beep telling me about the mountain? .... not so much.... Then again, I also live in North-Central Texas. Every black spot on the ground that you can't see at night is a cow pasture devoid of trees, land in whichever one you like with your dead engine and your odds are pretty good.
- chris_va 5y ago
  Way better than my rate at bfi, which fbo?

by RNCTX 5y ago

verst 5y ago

Definitely closer to $15k for VFR alone in the Seattle area. Doing this right now at Boeing Field. Cessna 172 with G1000 avionics rental rate is 185/hour wet (with fuel) if you pay for a membership program at the flight school. Otherwise ~200/hour. For rentals you pay for engine time only. There are usually minimums per day if you wanted to rent a plane for a weekend trip or something like that. Flying Seattle to Orcas Island is a fun little trip.

RNCTX 5y ago
G1000 is overkill for PPL, though. Admittedly I did mine in 2011 so it's been awhile, but I was paying $145 an hour then plus $60 for the CFI, so around $200 per hour all in. Considering you can do 10 hours sim time toward the minimums, I don't think $10k is impossible? But ancillary stuff will probably get you to $11k or $12k admittedly. In my case I did the American Flyers weekend ground school for the written test and they gave you a few hours of sim time included with the course cost.
- GekkePrutser 5y ago
  It's overkill but it's more easy to fly with. No periodic adjustment of the gyros etc. I also find it much easier to view everything in one go. Our non-G1000 has autopilot and the G1000 doesn't (it's an expensive option) but I still prefer the G1000.
  - RNCTX 5y ago
    No doubt safer for IFR purposes. I have a little time in a G1000 but a lot more with aftermarket Aspen panels, I put them in my own airplane back in 2014. I had no problem taking off into a fog with 3D terrain in the panel. On old mechanical gauges with nothing but a beep telling me about the mountain? .... not so much.... Then again, I also live in North-Central Texas. Every black spot on the ground that you can't see at night is a cow pasture devoid of trees, land in whichever one you like with your dead engine and your odds are pretty good.
chris_va 5y ago
Way better than my rate at bfi, which fbo?