There is no way around it. Obtaining a new rating or license in today's world is expensive. Although it may lead to a bad case of sticker shock, we have broken down the obtaining the private pilot rating and the instrument rating as a member of the North Star Flyers flight club. In addition, for the instrument rating we have further broken down the cost for obtaining the instrument rating with and without the use of the sim.

The value of 55 hours to obtain the private pilot rating is based on the Minnesota average time. Time to obtain the private pilot rating is estimated at nine months. Time to obtain the instrument rating is estimated six months. The instructor rate for both ratings is based on an average of $45/hour.

Private Pilot License

Item	Rate	Quantity	Amount
Aircraft (wet)	$90.00	55	$4950.00
Instruction	$45.00	45	$2025.00
Material	$300.00	1	$300.00
Knowledge Test	$90.00	1	$90.00
Medical	$90.00	1	$90.00
DPE Fee	$300.00	1	$300.00
Club Membership	$300.00	1	$300.00
Monthly Dues	$25.00	9	$225.00
Total			$8280.00

Instrument Rating With Sim

Item	Rate	Quantity	Amount
Aircraft (wet)	$90.00	30	$2700.00
Instruction	$45.00	50	$2250.00
Sim	$50.00	20	$1000.00
Inst/Com. Book	$126.00	1	$126.00
Material	$200.00	1
Knowledge Test	$90.00	1	$90.00
DPE Fee	$300.00	1	$300.00
Sim MAC Tax	1.50%		$15.00
Club Membership	$300.00	1	$300.00
Monthly Dues	$25.00	6	$150.00
Total			$7131.00

Instrument Rating Without Sim

Item	Rate	Quantity	Amount
Aircraft (wet)	$90.00	50	$4500.00
Instruction	$45.00	50	$2250.00
Inst/Com. Book	$126.00	1	$126.00
Material	$200.00	1
Knowledge Test	$90.00	1	$90.00
DPE Fee	$300.00	1	$300.00
Club Membership	$300.00	1	$300.00
Monthly Dues	$25.00	6	$150.00
Total			$7916.00