Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 69
About
Founded in 1967 as the original recreational flying club on base at MCAS Miramar (NAS Miramar at the time), the club now operates at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, with the aircraft located at the CrownAir Executive Air Park FBO. See the website for membership eligibility.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172N (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $85 – $340/hr Hobbs | $5,900 – $23,700 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Admission fee | — | one-time | $99 |
| Monthly dues × 12 | 12 mo | $75/mo | $900 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,600 – $34,600 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Armed Forces Aero Club is estimated to cost $8,600 – $34,600. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Armed Forces Aero Club 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, Armed Forces Aero Club 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.
Armed Forces Aero Club's training fleet includes the Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Cessna 172P (Skyhawk), and Piper PA-28-181 (Archer). 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 Armed Forces Aero Club. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Armed Forces Aero Club does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.