How Much Does it Cost to Learn to Fly in the USA?

So the next option I considered for learning to fly was the USA.  I googled "Accelerated Flight Training"  and started looking for options where you could take a 2-3 weeks trip to the US and complete the entire PPL over a short but intensive training period.

I narrowed my options in the US down to a school called Tail Wheels Etc.  based on good references and reviews.

Their pricing is the least complicated of any flight school I have ever seen, as their pricing is all in.

Private Pilot Packages (all in)

Cessna 150                                              Total: $7995

Piper Warrior, Cessna 172M                    Total: $9395

Cessna 172SP                                         Total: $10,495

Cessna 172 G1000 Glass Panel             Total: $11,195

*Includes all Flight Time, Flight Instructor, Written Test, Flight Test, and books.

Looking back at my earlier posts reviewing costs of learning to fly in Australia, Singapore or Malaysia this started looking like a good option.

Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Singapore

The AIP is the bible of Singapore aviation, including approach charts for all airports.

Below is the area chart from the full file.

You can download the PDF directly from HERE.

Asia Aeronautical Navigation Charts

From what I have learnt there are no sectional charts for much of Asia.  The only reference charts I can find are the attached 1:1000,000 Scale Operational Navigation Charts.  You can download Hi-Res images from that link.

Download Hi-Res Map ONC L-10 Chart Below

How Much Does it Cost to Learn to Fly in Singapore?

So being based in Singapore options for flight schools are pretty limited.  Here is a summary of my findings.

I have never visited any of the Singapore flight schools, basically because they are so expensive.  They all operate out of Seletar Airport.  No flight schools in Singapore can teach navigation.  That means you will get a restricted PPL and would have to go to Malaysia or another Country to finish the navigation component.  There is also Singapore Youth Flying Club which is govenerment sponsored to develop pilots from youth for the air-force.

Singapore Flying Club

Entrance fee (non-refundable)	S$ 1,500.00
Flying Deposit (refundable upon resignation)	S$ 1,500.00
First Month Subscription Fees	S$ 100.00
TOTAL	S$ 3,100.00

Above is the cost just to get your foot in the door to the club.  They state that to get the restricted PPL you are looking at between S$20,000 to S$30,000.

They have one aircraft, a Socata TB-9C Tampico Club

Seletar Flying Club (SFC)

TYPE	ENTRANCE FEE	MONTHLY FEES	DEPOSIT	FLYING RATES IN-TRAINING	FLYING RATES OUT -TRAINING
ORDINARY FLYING NON-FLYING	$1000 NA	$80/- $45/-	$1500 NA	$315 NA	$290 NA
FAMILY FLYING NON-FLYING	NA NA	NA NA	NA NA	$315 NA	$290 NA
VISITING FLYING	NA	$100	NA	$365	NA

They do not state the cost of a full course but I assume it will be similar to Singapore Flying Club.  Not sure what aircraft they use.

Bottom line is it's ridiculously expensive to learn to fly in Singapore and that's why many people look elsewhere to get their PPL.

I will cover flight Schools in Johor Baru (Malaysia) in a future post.

If there are any schools or information I have missed please let me know.

Learning to Fly in Singapore

So I have finally decided to take the leap and learn to fly, something I have wanted to do since I was a kid. I am living in Singapore and have spent a good amount of time researching what options are available for someone living here who wants to get a PPL.

This blog will track my progress as I learn to fly and might be helpful to others who want to follow their passion of general aviation in Asia.