FLIGHT TRAINING · NORTH CAROLINA FOOTHILLSHickory KHKY / Morganton KMRN
Rates & planning

Know the numbers.Plan the possibilities.

Aircraft time, instructor time, and the things around them. Build a clearer picture of your training budget before you begin.

Rates supplied by Skyview may change with fuel costs and aircraft upgrades. Confirm your current rates and billing terms before booking. The estimates below are planning tools, not fixed-price training packages.
Aircraft & simulator

Aircraft & simulator rates.

Cessna 172 · HickoryN3337E / N63SA · both IFR certified
$175/hr
Piper Archer · HickoryN87W · IFR certified
$200/hr
Cessna 172 · MorgantonN2372U · not IFR certified
$165/hr
FAA-approved Redbird full-motion simulator
$85/hr
Flight instruction

Instruction rates.

Private pilot$50/hr
Instrument rating$60/hr
Commercial pilot$60/hr
Initial CFI$70/hr

Aircraft and instructor charges are separate. Ask how briefings and ground instruction are billed.

Your training budget

Explore a scenario.

Change the hours and aircraft to see how your budget moves. The starting numbers are an example, not a forecast of your completion time.

Example allowance: $250 headset, $200 books, $225 ground school, $150 medical, $185 knowledge exam, $800 practical test, and $30 kneeboard. Adjust this to your actual expenses. An optional tablet, software subscription, additional exams, and other costs may apply.

YOUR EXAMPLE BUDGET$14,340
Aircraft time
$10,500
Instruction
$2,000
Other expenses
$1,840

Proficiency, preparation, lesson frequency, weather, and testing all affect the final total.

Discuss your own training plan ↗
Affordable ground lessons

Tuesday group ground.

Join us every Tuesday from 6–8 p.m. for $25 per student. Learn together, ask questions, and hear from guest speakers in a welcoming group setting.

Explore group ground lessons →

Budget beyond flight time.

The supplied rate sheet estimates medical exams at $100–$200, knowledge tests at $175–$185 per exam, and private, instrument, or commercial practical tests at $600–$1,200. Initial CFI practical tests are estimated at $1,000–$1,500. These are third-party fees and vary.

Books, study courses, headsets, charts, and optional tablets or software add to the total. Some FAA handbooks are available free; ask your instructor which resources you actually need.

Download the full cost breakdown PDF ↓

Scheduling with Flight Circle.

Skyview uses Flight Circle for aircraft, simulator, and ground lessons. Existing students and pilots sign in with their school-provided access, select the aircraft and instructor, and reserve an available lesson window.

The school recommends planning 2–3-hour windows about a week ahead and leaving at least 30 minutes between bookings. Availability is not guaranteed. Ask your instructor if access or booking is unavailable.

Open Flight Circle ↗
Respecting aircraft & instructor availability

Cancellation policy.

For less than 12 hours’ notice or a no-show, the supplied policy lists a written warning for the first occurrence, a $50 fee for the second, and a $100 fee for the third and subsequent occurrences.

Exceptions may apply for weather, sudden illness, or documented emergencies. Contact your instructor promptly and confirm how the policy applies to your situation.

Your next chapter starts on the runway

Make room
for the extraordinary.

One conversation. Your first step toward flight.

Call Skyview · 828-851-8444 ↗
SKYVIEW AVIATION

Your next flight starts here.

Plan a discovery flight, explore training, or ask us a question. Our team will follow up with you.

This is a request. Skyview will confirm availability with you. Your details are used to respond to your inquiry.

Prefer a conversation?Call 828-851-8444 ↗