Program Costs
Cost Breakdown — Private Pilot Certificate
Item
Est. Cost
Books & Study Materials
FAA Private Pilot textbook, online ground school course (Sporty’s or King Schools), FAR/AIM, navigation plotter, and E6B flight computer.
$300 – $600
FAA Medical Certificate
3rd Class Medical exam from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Required before your first solo flight. BasicMed may be an alternative — ask your CFI.
$175
Aircraft Rental — 40 Hours
Based on 40 FAA-minimum flight hours in our Cessna 172M at $159.95/hr (Hobbs time). Most students complete training in 45–55 hours. Aircraft rate includes fuel.
$6,398
Flight Instruction — 40 Hours
One-on-one dual instruction with a Top Aviation Services CFI for 40 hours. Includes pre- and post-flight briefings. Ground instruction billed at instructor hourly rate.
$2,500 – $3,500
FAA Checkride — Oral & Practical
Paid directly to the FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Includes the oral knowledge exam and practical flight test. DPE fees vary — typically $600–$900 in the Topeka area.
$750
Estimated Total — FAA Minimum 40 hrs
Checkride fee not included — paid directly to DPE
$10,400 – $12,000
A Note on Flight Hours
The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours for the Private Pilot Certificate, including at least 20 hours of dual instruction and 10 hours of solo flight. The national average is 45–55 hours. Budget conservatively — the goal is to be ready, not just to hit the minimum. Your CFI will give you an honest assessment before recommending you for the checkride.
The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours for the Private Pilot Certificate, including at least 20 hours of dual instruction and 10 hours of solo flight. The national average is 45–55 hours. Budget conservatively — the goal is to be ready, not just to hit the minimum. Your CFI will give you an honest assessment before recommending you for the checkride.
How It Works
FOUR STEPS
TO CERTIFIED
No fluff. Here’s the straight line from curious to FAA certificated pilot at Top Aviation Services in Topeka.
01
Discovery Flight
Get in the air with a CFI at KTOP. Confirm flying is for you. No commitment — just $174.95. Counts toward your license hours.
02
Ground School
FAA medical, student pilot certificate, and written exam. We guide you through every step of the requirements in Kansas.
03
Flight Training
Dual instruction with your CFI, solo flights, and cross-country navigation. FAA minimum 40 hours — most students finish in 60–80.
04
Checkride
Oral and practical exam with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Pass it and you’re a certificated pilot for life.