A recent article in AvWeb, an aviation blog, it was reported that; “A new analysis of published rates from 500 flight schools estimates that a private pilot certificate costs about $18,257 when training is completed in the typical 72 hours.” The Sept. 3 PilotBound Flight Training Cost Report found a median trainer rental rate of $165 per hour and a median instructor rate of $69 per hour.” It got me thinking about my aviation journey and why not share it and what it cost me to earn my pilot’s license?
The more I thought about it, even though my journey was a bit different, it was not unique. It took hold later in life although I came closer when I was accepted in the USAF pilot program getting out of college. That didn’t happen because of another unexpected opportunity, and that is a story for another time. My training as a crew member on a CH47 “Chinook” helicopter while in the National Park Service was also a contributing factor.
My path to the skies began when my brother-in-law at the time invited me to join him in an aerial photography business. This was in the early 1980s, long before drones, GPS, and other technologies that are common today. He would be my CFI and teach me if I covered the cost of fuel, while I also would cover the required solo time by renting a 150 from a local airport. I think my pilot’s license cost about $3,000. It was an adventure, and I jumped at the chance.
I have about 2,000 hours as pilot in command, though the number is not exact because I was often too busy flying to log every hour. Over time, experiences like being stranded on a remote dirt strip in northern Wisconsin with a dead battery and having to prop-start my Cessna 152 helped build my skills and confidence. So did descending through a “sucker hole” in whiteout conditions, getting below the cloud deck, and realizing I could not trust what I felt in the seat over what the instruments were telling me. Many pilots have died by ignoring their instruments. Taking pictures of farms all over the Midwest refined my skills of navigation and flying the plane.
Flying over vast stretches of farmland in search of a specific farm to photograph was demanding work. This was before GPS and many of the navigational tools pilots rely on today. I handled custom reshoots on my own, flying solo with a Mamiya 645 camera equipped with a motor drive. To get the shot, I had to be at the right altitude, distance, and angle all at once. It required precise flying, and over time, I became very good at it.
Two things stand out most from my journey into the sky. The first is how flying changed me. I became more disciplined and learned how many details must be considered on every flight, no matter how short or long. Flying also gave me a new perspective: gratitude for the chance to be in the air and the ability to leave much of life’s noise on the ground. Because flying demands full attention and complete immersion, I call it “Aerotherapy.”
The second—and probably most meaningful—part of my journey was the people I met and the friendships I formed in the aviation community. Some are well known, while most are everyday people who share the privilege of taking to the sky. We are connected by different but often familiar journeys, along with a mutual respect for what it takes to earn a pilot’s license. It is not arrogance, but a shared recognition of the commitment required to become a pilot.
Although I am now on the ground looking up after selling my plane, I have no real regrets. I had the privilege of spending many hours in the air, and I still enjoy the company of many people I met along the way. Through my podcast, I have been able to share the passion and excitement of people of all ages who are involved in aviation. The stories behind the stories never disappoint.
John Rousch is a columnist, podcaster, and a 58-year veteran educator. He can be reached at 863-273-0522 or johnrousch73@gmail.com. Check out “Flightlines – The Stories Behind the Stories” on YouTube. Website: flightlinestories.com
