Tips for saving money on flight training

When I got the latest issue of Sporty’s Academy Biweekly Bulletin, the story, “Five ways to save money during training,” caught my eye.

I especially like the first tip: Prepare for each lesson.

That led me to wondering what other advice I could find online about saving money, because — let’s face it — learning to fly costs a lot of money.

When I typed “saving money during flight training” into a search bar I got more than 12 million hits.

Here are just a few tips that jumped out to me:

Prepare for each lesson 

“Coming to each flight or ground lesson prepared and ready to go will save you the most money” over all the other tips, says David Zitt in a post on Sporty’s Student Pilot News. “Having completed reading or video assignments prior to beginning a new task or topic in your training will allow you to complete the task in less time. Reviewing a procedure manual or checklist is often one of the best ways to save time in the airplane. Spending time on the ground by yourself or with your instructor to review these flight critical items allows you to not waste time in the air discussing them with the engine running.”

Fly as often as you can in the shortest span of time

Flying, like anything else, requires practice. The more you practice, the more quickly you pick up new skills. By flying as often as possible, you reduce the need to repeatedly review material, note the folks at Gleim Aviation. “Details will stay fresh in your mind so each lesson provides more bang for your buck.”

Armchair Flying

Can’t go flying due to bad weather or some other reason? Try out armchair flying, say the experts at Boldmethod.

“It’s something that even airline pilots do,” they note.

“Sit upright in the chair as if you’re flying to mimic checklist usage, maneuvers, and other parts of your next flight,” they advise.

Hangar Flying

As with anything else, the more you talk with people in the field, the more you learn.

Most pilots like to share the joy of flight with others and help those who are earning their wings, say officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

“There is a lot of aviation wisdom out there that you won’t find in any textbook. You can get great tips and techniques from pilots who have learned from experience. What better way to learn than by talking with those who have done what you aspire to do?”

While most equate hangar flying to hanging out at the airport, you also can virtually hangar fly by checking out aviation discussion groups online.

“You may get responses from airline pilots, military pilots, air traffic controllers, aviation engineers — you name it,” the AOPA post notes.

However, it also adds: “One word of caution about all this: Never believe everything you hear, and don’t blindly go trying something that somebody you do not know suggests. Use common sense.”

Save money on aircraft cost

A post at Fly Good Aviation lists four ways to save money on the cost of aircraft during your training:

1. Train in an economy aircraft
2. Consider paying up front for a package of flight lessons
3. Join a local flight club
4. Purchase your own aircraft or consider a partnership in an aircraft

Live Your Training

Beyond what your instructor asks of you, any extra initiative you take will help you get ahead, say officials at Redbird Flight Simulations.

“Consider spending some of your downtime with aviation-related activities. Read about aviation. Watch cockpit videos of pilots flying. Talk to pilots at the airport,” it advises. “In general, keep your head in the cockpit as best you can. Flight training is a deeply personal pursuit, but one to which every pilot can relate. The aviation community is close-knit and supportive. Lean on it to keep you motivated and inspired.”

What are your tips?

Now that we’ve heard from the experts, I also bet that General Aviation News readers have a wealth of knowledge to share about saving money on flight training. Please share below in the comments.