What's Included in Each Stage Cost
Each stage below breaks down the major cost components: aircraft rental, CFI instruction, FAA Knowledge Test fees, and DPE checkride fees. Equipment (headset, charts, kneeboard, logbook) is a one-time cost of approximately $300–$600 at the start of training, not repeated each stage.
Stage training at Parrish Aviation Flight Academy at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) and Hicks Airfield (T67) is priced by the hours you fly. FAA Knowledge Test and DPE checkride fees are third-party fees at current Dallas-market rates. Contact admissions for a current, personalized quote.
Discovery Flight
Your Discovery Flight hour counts toward your Private Pilot License — it's not a sunk cost.
Learn more about this stage →Private Pilot License (PPL)
Part 141 minimum is 35 hours. National average is 55–65 hrs. Consistent training (3–4x/week) keeps you closer to minimums.
Learn more about this stage →Instrument Rating (IR)
North Texas weather provides real IFR days during winter — genuine IMC experience you can't simulate.
Learn more about this stage →Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL)
Part 141 commercial minimum is 190 total hours vs. 250 under Part 61 — saving ~60 hours of aircraft rental.
Learn more about this stage →Multi-Engine Rating (ME)
Piper Twin Comanche at Parrish Aviation. Engine-out procedures, Vmc demonstrations, multi-engine aerodynamics.
Learn more about this stage →CFI / CFII Certificate
After CFI, you start earning while instructing while building the 1,500 hours for ATP.
Learn more about this stage →Full Career Program
Not included: non-owner's insurance, medical exam fee, and FAA test fees. Hour-building to ATP minimums (1,500 hrs) is largely self-funded through CFI earnings.
Learn more about this stage →* Exact costs depend on individual student hours, DPE selection, and current aircraft rates. Contact Parrish Aviation for a personalized quote.
How Part 141 Reduces Your Total Training Cost
The most impactful cost reduction available to career pilots isn't a discount — it's training under FAA Part 141. The numbers:
- PPL: Part 141 minimum 35 hours vs. Part 61's 40 hours — saves 5 hours of aircraft rental
- Commercial: Part 141 minimum 190 total hours vs. Part 61's 250 — saves 60 hours of aircraft rental
See our FAA Part 141 guide for details.
Get a Personalized Cost Estimate
Every student's path is different. Our admissions team will give you an honest, itemized cost estimate based on your specific goals, schedule, and financing options.
The Hidden Costs That Make Cheap Schools More Expensive
Schools with lower advertised hourly rates frequently produce higher total training costs through:
- Aircraft downtime: Off-site maintenance = 5–10 day groundings. Three groundings per stage adds 15–30 days of skill regression, requiring re-learning logged hours. At any aircraft rate, this adds real cost.
- Instructor turnover: High-turnover schools force students to re-establish rapport and re-cover previously taught material. Industry average CFI turnover is high — Parrish Aviation retains instructors through culture and professional standards.
- Off-site testing: Waiting 2–3 weeks for a PSI testing appointment means a month of reduced momentum. On-site testing at KRBD keeps students moving.
- Checkride failures: A failed checkride adds $700–$900 in DPE fees plus additional flight instruction. Schools with rigorous stage checks have dramatically better checkride outcomes.
Financing Your Training — Options at Parrish Aviation
Parrish Aviation supports multiple financing pathways. See our full financing guide for details on each:
- Edly: Parrish Aviation is an approved Edly school — explore available financing options and apply through our Edly portal.
- AOPA Finance: Dedicated flight training loans from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
- Prepaid Out of Pocket: Structured path: 35% to start, 35% after Private Pilot checkride, and 30% after Instrument checkride.
Get a Personalized Cost Estimate
Every student's path is different. Our admissions team will give you an honest, itemized cost estimate based on your specific goals, schedule, and financing options.
Pilot Training Cost Breakdown — Frequently Asked Questions
What students ask about training costs before enrolling at Parrish Aviation.