Flying costs thru the years

ChemGuy

ChemGuy

Cleared for Takeoff
Joined
Jun 27, 2013
Messages
1,279
Location
Dowagiac, MI
Display Name
Display name:
ChemGuy
What a difference a couple decades make.
I found some old receipts from my PPL training. Thought I would share so some of the newer people would understand the increases in costs over the years.

I know some of you are old enough to have had Orville sign your license, so if you remember paying 2.50/hr for flight ine, please add it and the years.

1994 KTUS Double Eagle Aviation
C150/152 from late 60s to mid 70s
Rental rate - $32/hr wet Hobbs
CFI - $18/hr

I did put $2000 on account so I got $2-3/hr break on prices.

All in my PPL cost about $3,000
A new Camry had an msrp of about $16,000.
A new 2017 Camry has msrp starting at 23,000.

So cars have increased ~50% but flying has increased 2-3×.
 
I still have a receipt in my logbook from 1979 when I started (the first time). $50 for a Tomahawk and CFI.

Flash forward to 2014 (flying Part 2), $210 for a C172SP G1000 and CFI
 
1969 piper Cherokee 140 .$12 wet instructor$8 hr.
 
C-150/172 $50/60/hr, CFI 40/hr summer of 2000 @ KPDK.
 
When I started training the first time, 1997, I was renting a C172 for $45/hr wet and the instructor was $10/hr. No, I'm not joking. God I wish I'd stuck with it back then. I still remember what he said "I'm building time, you pay for the gas and plane and I get the hours"

Why the hell is it so much more now anyway? Fuel - that's only a part of it. $100LL is $4.39 gal now at the same 'drome. Was probably what, $2.50 back then?
 
In 2007 I was paying $45/hour (wet) for a 152. I think monthly club dues were $50. Since it is a club there were no taxes. Insurance was included.

Fuel is cheaper today than it was then but the club is now charging $80/hr for the same aircraft. I don't know what changed...maybe insurance skyrocketed? They sold one of the two 152s so maybe flying hours are down a lot.
 
1977: C-150 $15 wet, Stearman $50 wet. I forget what the instructor charged.
 
jetrep said:
In 2007 I was paying $45/hour (wet) for a 152. I think monthly club dues were $50. Since it is a club there were no taxes. Insurance was included.

Fuel is cheaper today than it was then but the club is now charging $80/hr for the same aircraft. I don't know what changed...maybe insurance skyrocketed? They sold one of the two 152s so maybe flying hours are down a lot.
Click to expand...
I'm part of a club now where it is $50 a month(initial $150 every January) and then $60(dry) off of hobb time. This is for a 1971 Cherokee 180.
 
hindsight2020 said:
C-150/172 $50/60/hr, CFI 40/hr summer of 2000 @ KPDK.
Click to expand...
Wow. A huge increase in the last 15 years then, huh.

I got of flying in later 90's and back in about 4 years ago. Seems like the big increase in rentals/costs happened in between.
 
Overhaul? Anyone have any receipts for a 1980, 1990, 2000 overhaul on an o320/360?
 
1964: J-3, Taylorcraft, Aeronca, on floats $14.00 an hour for plane, instructor and fuel.
If you wanted to fly the PA-11 on floats, it was $15.00 an hour, and the Fairchild would cost you $20.00 an hour.
 
When I started, in 1988, the C150 I flew rented for $28 an hour, wet. The CFI charged $15 an hour. Don't recall the cost of gas then, but it was a lot less than today. I could afford to fly about every two weeks. Could have flown more often had I kicked the cigarette habit earlier!
 
$20/hr. C-150 wet with instructor, 1970
Roommate's C-150 with his instruction, fuel and oil changes!
 
1975. Cessna Pilot Center at Opa Locka. $995 Guaranteed Private in a C150.

I recall Executive Carriers at the same airport offering 10 hour block time wet in a C150 for $99.

Then again, to put that in perspective I was earning about $2/hr at the time.
 
Last edited:
1993 @ VPC.

152 - $42/hr wet.

Instructor - $15/hr.

My entire PPSEL cost about $2500 including checkride.
 
It was expensive back then, it's expensive now, and it will be expensive in the future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top