Frequently
Asked Questions
Flight Training Lessons
Curious about getting your pilots license? Wondering about how long it takes, or how much it might cost? Review our frequently asked questions from new and experienced pilots. Then contact us to get started today. It’s TIME TO TAKEOFF.
Costs
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Your total cost will depend on how many hours you choose to fly, however below is an example scenario for non-member students looking to get their Private Pilot License through Fly Synergy in Illinois.
$23,025 Price Estimate Based on the Minimum Requirements
$15,600 Cirrus Plane Rental (40 hours)
$5,000 Flight and Ground Instruction (40 hours)
$175 FAA Written
$150 FAA Medical Requirement
$1,000 Final Exam Fees
$800+/- Headset
$300+/- iPad (recommended)
*Instruction and flight times are estimates only. All times are the minimum required. Additional training may be necessary to fulfill the standards and to achieve your own personal comfort level.
For lower rates, please inquire about our membership options and benefits!
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Yes. Before your first solo, you will need to have a Non-Owners Policy with a minimum of $15,000 in Aircraft Physical Damage Coverage.
We recommend getting a quote from AVIATION | Chappell Smith & Associates to get started.
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Yes and No. The per hour cost for training is the same in both locations. However, some of our Cirrus aircraft in Wheeling are newer or premium models, therefore the per hour plane rental rate is slightly higher.
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Yes, because you do not need to rent a plane to fly, however the AATD simulator is intended to supplement instruction in the aircraft, not replace it. The option is only available to PWK flight student at this time.
The cost of the simulator ranges from $100-150 per hour depending on your membership status.
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Your total cost will depend on the number of hours you need, the type of aircraft you rent, and your membership status. Click here to view our full list of rental and instruction rates by type of aircraft and membership level. A summary range is below:
$100-150 an hour to use the RealSim AATD Simulator
$100-125 an hour for Instruction
$312-390 for Cirrus Aircraft Rental
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No. But being a member does reduce your hourly costs and increases your flexibility to book, change, and cancel lessons when you need to.
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No, Fly Synergy does not accept GI benefits.
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Yes, it can. Different aircraft have different levels of complexity, technology, and advanced features.
As a Certified Cirrus Training Center, we only utilize a fleet of top-of-the-line Cirrus SR Series aircraft for Private and Instrument training.
You can view our full list or rental rates by aircraft and membership level here.
Time and Process
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2-10 months depending on how frequently you can commit to regular lessons.
For example, someone who commits to 3 hours a lesson, 3 lessons a week, can typically meet the requirement in less than 2 months.
If you can’t commit to flying that long or that frequently, it will take you longer to complete requirements. And you may want to repeat lessons if too much time has passed and you want more time learning a particular skill.
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These are the steps we recommend:
Take a Discovery Flight in the plane you will be flying and with the instructor you will be working with. Make sure you’re comfortable before committing to a learning plan.
Create a Budget and Schedule you can commit to, to ensure you complete your license without gaps in your training. If you have to take an entire month off for some reason, you might have to go back and review what you have already learned. We will meet with you to help map that out before you begin, so you have clarity before you commit to fly.
Check your Insurance. Just like driving a car, you need to ensure you have the right insurance coverage before you fly.
Engage in the ground and flight training.
Repeat step 4 until you’ve met the flight time requirements and your instructor feels you’re steady.
Take the test.
Get your license.
Enjoy the freedom of private flight.
Keep Learning! (Advanced Training options are available.)
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1-2 hours from takeoff to landing. Occasionally an in-flight lesson can go longer if you and the instructor agree, and it is appropriate for a particular lesson or skill.
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The most that your schedule can allow. The more you fly, the faster and more affordable your training will be. We recommend 3 or more flights a week.
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Yes. You must be at least 16 years old to fly solo and 17 years old to obtain your pilot’s license. You can start learning at any age, but can’t complete your training until you’re 17. Also, you must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.
Lesson Types & Details
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No. You can take online classes to supplement your in-flight learning, and you can also spend time testing difficult maneuvers in the simulator, however there is no substitute for in flight training and the 40 hours required by the FAA to receive your license.
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Our Private Pilot program is designed to give you maximum flexibility within your training. The ground portion of your training consists of online courses to deepen your knowledge, and in-person ground lessons. Your online ground training combines literature and video segments for a truly immersive learning experience.
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No, however, you may visit this link to locate a testing site near you.
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As a Certified Cirrus Training Center, we utilize a fleet of top-of-the-line Cirrus SR20 aircraft for Private and Instrument training.
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After completing an initial Discovery Flight, it’s time to start your official lessons! When you sign up you’ll receive more details, but here are some highlights:
Aviation Headset (For recommendations, reach out to your instructor)
Logbook (available for purchase if needed) and something you can use to take notes from the instructor and from air traffic control. (e.g. notebook or iPad)
Download the ForeFlight App to a Tablet that you can use as a supplement to your Logbook, to take notes, and more.
Valid Government Issued Photo ID (Passport or Driver’s License and Birth Certificate)
Excitement!
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Yes. We are always happy to allow a friend to ride along, as long as we stay within our weight and balance limits
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Yes and No. 'School' and 'training or lessons' are often used interchangeably. What can be differentiated is whether it is a Part 61 or a Part 141 program. A program that falls under 14 CFR Part 141 would be a college or university program with a strict schedule that costs significantly more and takes much longer than a Part 61 program. And we now offer a partnership through Purdue Global if this is something that interests you!
A program that falls under 14 CFR Part 61 is exactly what Fly Synergy is; A fully personalized program built to fit your schedule.
At Fly Synergy, you will be working one-on-one with your instructor to create a schedule that best fits your busy life. Whether you plan to take it slow, or soar through the program with the airlines in your sights, Fly Synergy can make it happen!
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No. The public often refers to this as a Private Pilot License, however, the Federal Aviation Administration refers to this as a Private Pilot Certificate.
Student pilot is designed for the initial training period of flying. The student pilot must have a flight instructor present. He or she can solo after appropriate instructor endorsements.
Recreational pilot limits the holder to: specific categories and classes of aircraft, the number of passengers which may be carried, the distance that may be flown from the departure point, flight into controlled airports, and other limitations.
Private pilot lets the pilot carry passengers and provides for only personal use of an airplane.
Commercial pilot lets the pilot conduct some operations for compensation and hire.
Airline transport pilot is required to fly for any air transport companies.