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Learn 7 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Flying
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    Aviation Pilots

    Learn 7 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Flying

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    By Sarina Houston
    Updated September 29, 2017

    Being a pilot is expensive. Here are seven ways to cut costs of flying.

  • 01
    Apply for Scholarships

    Woman taking flying lessons in glider airplane
    ••• Colin Anderson/Blend Images/Getty Images

    This one is a no-brainer for student pilots, but don't discount the idea just because you already have a private pilot license. If you could consider yourself a flight student at all, then you should apply for scholarships. Want to get a seaplane rating? How about upset maneuver training? Want to participate in an air race? There are scholarships for all of those training opportunities. Just because you've achieved your original goal of a private or commercial license doesn't mean you can't keep flying for fun.

    There's a trick, though: You have to seek out these scholarships. They won't come to you. To find scholarships, go directly to the websites of aviation organizations that you're involved in (or wouldn't mind becoming involved in.) Women in Aviation, International (WAI) has scholarships for every level of flight training imaginable for both men and women. AOPA, EAA, NBAA, OBAP and The 99s all offer scholarships on a regular basis for different phases of training. Perhaps someone in your local area offers a scholarship to local students.

  • 02
    Join (Or Start) a Flying Club

    Flight instructor showing student pilots engine of helicopter
    ••• Zero Creatives/Cultura/Getty Images

    If you have a flying club in your area, start there. Not only will you find lower prices, but it's one of the best places to get to know other pilots. And networking with other pilots means more opportunities to find a flying partner and more people to study with.

  • 03
    Buy or Share an Airplane

    Young pilot standing by his plane looking at paper
    ••• Gary John Norman/The Image Bank/Getty Images

    Yes, I said buy an airplane. It's expensive, but if you fly a lot and rely on air travel for multiple reasons, it might be a better option than renting. And if you can mitigate the cost through partnerships or shared ownership, it could be worth it for you.

  • 04
    Share Flight Time

    Pilot and co-pilot checking instruments in cockpit of plane
    ••• Hero Images/Getty Images

    If you know anyone that has similar goals, flight routes or training schedules, share the work (and costs) with them. You can log hours in an airplane for half the cost in most cases. Offer to be a safety pilot or invite a friend on a flight with you on a training lesson. Observing other student's flights is a great learning experience, and can keep costs down since you'll be ahead of the game afterward.

  • 05
    Become a Flight Instructor

    Flight instructor and student
    ••• Jacom Stephens/Getty

    If you don't have many flight hours and want to fly more, this is the only logical answer. Once you earn a flight instructor certificate, you won't have to pay for another flight. In fact, you'll actually earn money doing it. It's an investment to get the training you need to pass the CFI exam, but once you do, you can get paid to fly, which is the best case scenario.

  • 06
    Stay Current

    Airbus A320 cockpit
    ••• Erik Tham/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images

    Currency is important if you don't want to waste money re-learning what you already know just to prove yourself to an instructor over and over again. That's why it's important to stay instrument current, get your night landings in and practice at home or in a simulator. Losing currency can be costly.

  • 07
    Become a Sport Pilot

    Fixing Bikes on Dock
    ••• Arnold Media/Taxi/Getty Images

    Sport pilots have access to light sport aircraft that are easy and inexpensive to fly (not to mention fun!). A sport pilot certificate costs less, takes less time and you may even save money by avoiding medical exam fees. The requirements to get and maintain a sport pilot certificate are less than a private pilot certificate, and the operating costs are lower, too.

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