Getting Your Private Pilot License: Essential Costs & Equipment Guide
Congratulations on starting your journey to becoming a pilot! Here's a breakdown of the required tests and must-have gear to get you licensed. I've separated essentials from optionals to keep things simple and budget-friendly. Total estimated cost: $1,000–$3,500 (excluding aircraft rental). Let's get you in the air!
Tests
Written Test
You must pass a written knowledge test before your checkride. I recommend scheduling it ASAP. You'll be better prepared from a theoretical standpoint.
Cost: $175
Aviation Medical Certificate
Required before soloing as a student pilot (at least 3rd class). Obtain from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)—get it early! It's heartbreaking to spend thousands of dollars and realize you can't continue for medical reasons.
Cost: $100–$200
Practical Test (Checkride)
This covers the fee for a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) to administer your ground and flight evaluation. You'll officially become a pilot after passing this test.
Cost: $600–$1,000
The Essential Equipment
Logbook
Record all your flight training time here—it's the most expensive book you'll ever own!
Cost: $10
Headset
Prices vary, but you don't need the best headset right away—focus on flying more initially! Start with a free rental and save $1,000 in extra plane rental fees. I recommend upgrading later to Bose A20/A30 or Lightspeed Zulu/David Clark DC ONE-X.
Cost: $100–$1,200
Online Ground School
You can pay me for in-person lessons if you want—or save with Sporty's excellent course, packed with exam practice tests and maneuver videos.
Cost: $200–$400
Sectional Chart
These are the "maps" of the area that help you navigate airspace and find your way from A to B. Unlike a GPS, they will never break, lose reception, or run out of batteries. However, they do expire every 56 days, so always ensure you have a current one with you for each flight.
Cost: $10
Aviation Plotter
"Aviation ruler" to do cross-country flight planning and navigation procedures.
Cost: $12
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
This textbook covers nearly everything you'll ever need to know about flying. It delivers essential basics for pilots and introduces the full range of knowledge you'll build on throughout training. Download it free as a PDF from the FAA website—or buy a physical copy to highlight and take notes.
Cost: Free or $20
Airplane Flying Handbook
This textbook serves as a technical guide to essential piloting skills and knowledge for flying airplanes. Download it free as a PDF from the FAA website—or get a physical copy to highlight and take notes.
Cost: Free or $25
FAR/AIM
These are two key books in one hefty volume: the Federal Aviation Regulations and the Airman's Information Manual. Don't let the size scare you. Only a small portion applies to you, but it packs the vital info for earning your license and staying safe in the air.
Download free as a PDF from the FAA website, use the official government app, or buy a physical copy for highlighting and notes. Always get the latest version. Laws change often!
Cost: Free or $27
Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
The ACS, written by the FAA, outlines the exact skills and knowledge levels you must demonstrate to earn your certificate or rating. It dictates how your checkride will be conducted.
Cost: Free or $5.99
E6B Flight Computer
These flight computers help with flight planning on the ground before takeoff. They calculate fuel burn, wind correction, time en route, ground speed, and more. The back side is for wind correction—how wind affects your speed and course.
Cost: $15
Kneeboard
Essentially a clipboard that attaches to your leg. Pilots find these very useful for organizing notepads, maps, and iPad. I recommend the ASA Tri-Fold Kneeboard.
Cost: $50
iPad
(or "electronic flight bag" as the FAA calls it). Any iPad that runs ForeFlight will work, as long as the battery is in good condition. You can buy a used one and save money.
Cost: $200–$1,000
ForeFlight (or Similar App)
We will use the ForeFlight app on the iPad to aid in flight planning and situational awareness. Generally, most private pilots use ForeFlight or another type of EFB for navigation, so part of your training will focus on this. You can save about 30% on your ForeFlight subscription by becoming a member of certain aviation organizations.
Cost: Free or $125–$375
Optional Equipment
Checklist
All training aircraft include their own checklists. However, it's often easier to use your own familiar one. Checkmate makes excellent checklists for training airplanes.
Cost: $20
Electronic E6B
Much easier to use than your standard slide rule E6B. You can bring them into your written tests, which absolutely makes it worth the cost in my opinion. The ASA CX-3 is a great model.
Cost: $120
Sunglasses
They don't need to be aviator-style, but I recommend comfortable ones with non-polarized, neutrally shaded lenses. Polarized or colored lenses can make it harder to read the instruments.
Cost: $20–$400
Kneeboard
Essentially a clipboard that attaches to your leg. Pilots find these very useful for organizing notepads, maps, and iPad. I recommend the ASA Tri-Fold Kneeboard.
Cost: $20–$50
Sentry ADS-B Receiver
Receives ADS-B (weather and traffic data) and sends it to your iPad. While very useful, it isn't necessary or required.
Cost: $100–$400
