51st Aero Squadron, LLC
Quality Score
Limited Data
Base (15) + components above = 49
About
We started our Club in March of 2013 and are located on Mitchell Field in Bessemer, AL (KEKY). The club is comprised of pilots of various experience levels including student pilots, private pilots, commercial pilots and retired airline pilots. As of December 2023, we operate 3 Piper Archers and a Piper Arrow II. All of our aircraft are IFR equipped and certified. Two of our Archers and our Arrow II have dual Garmin G5 electronic flight instruments coupled to a Garmin GFC500 auto pilot. During 2024 we expect to upgrade our remaining Archer to this equipment level. All aircraft are individually hangared and are available 24 hours per day.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-28-181 (Archer II) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $60 – $230/hr Tach | $4,100 – $16,200 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Admission fee | — | one-time | $2,500 |
| Monthly dues × 12 | 12 mo | $150/mo | $1,800 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,400 – $33,800 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at 51st Aero Squadron, LLC is estimated to cost $8,400 – $33,800. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, 51st Aero Squadron, LLC operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, 51st Aero Squadron, LLC does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
51st Aero Squadron, LLC's training fleet includes the Piper PA-28-181 (Archer II) and Piper PA-28R-200 (Arrow II). Having multiple types in the fleet keeps your training on track if one plane is down for maintenance. Ask the school about current availability and any additional charges per aircraft.
No flight simulators are listed for 51st Aero Squadron, LLC. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, 51st Aero Squadron, LLC does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.