So...How Much Does It Cost?

Good news and bad news...

The good news is that the Yellow Jacket Flying Club is the cheapest way you'll ever have to learn to fly, short of Uncle Bob letting you use his Cessna free of charge. The bad news is that no matter how cheap flying is, you always want to do more than you can afford! The cost of flight training can vary widely depending on individual abilities and scheduling. You'll see all sorts of numbers quoted by flight schools, but most only include the bare minimum number of hours, which is not realistic to expect. Overall, an average number for someone in the YJFC, including all fees and supplies, ranges from $2800 to $3600. This corresponds to $3800 to $4500 in the "outside" world. This amount is spread over as long as it takes you to complete your training - you pay as you go. The more frequently you fly, the better your retention, and therefore the less you have to repeat, and the less it will cost. Otherwise, it depends on individual performance.

Specifically, what fees are involved? Well, first there's the club dues. For students who are paying the university student activities fee, the dues are $15 for each semester (fall, spring, and summer). For non-students, dues are $25 per semester. If you are a dues-paying member, then you are invited to all the events of the YJFC, included in mailing lists and may vote in any elections or other issues that are brought before the general membership. Then, each semester there is the flight fee, ranging from $120 to $160, depending on term (each semester term has a different length, hence the variation in fees). This fee of may be reduced substantially if you participate in the club by volunteering. Paying this fee gives you the privilege of scheduling access to the aircraft, as well as a set of Atlanta sectional and terminal area charts each time they are published. As a member of the YJFC, there are also some hidden benefits - costs that are taken care of - that you won't find if you fly in "the outside world":

Most places that you rent planes from will have an insurance policy...but that insurance policy protects THEM, not you. The YJFC is different: our insurance protects both the club AND you, as the pilot, for both damage to the aircraft as well as liability.
When was the last time you rented an airplane and found that it was equipped with high-quality headsets for each seat? That alone will knock $200 or more off your training costs - and your passengers will certainly appreciate it!

If you are interested in instrument training or using your instrument ticket, then you have probably wondered where the money would come from to subscribe to all the necessary instrument charts, right? With the YJFC, that's not an issue: we keep both 172's stocked with current approach plates and enroute charts for the Southeastern United States! Try to find another place that would offer you that!

Aircraft rental rates and instruction rates are detailed on the sheet describing our aircraft, but this is where you'll find a tremendous savings over "retail". Also, books & supplies are available through the club at great savings. The only costs that we can't do much about are the charges for the written (computerized) tests and checkrides!!

Now Check Out our fleet of airplanes!