The price of instruction varies nationwide and also from flight school to flight school. Fuel, maintenance, and airplane expenses play a major role in determining airplane rental rates. Shop around to make sure you are buying what you want at a fair price. Your total cost will depend on the FBO, equipment, local cost factors, competition, etc., and the amount of training in excess of 40 hr.
Many flight schools allow payments as time progresses, lesson by lesson, instead of all at once.
Most pilots require about 55 hr. Use the Gleim Private Pilot Kit . Alternatively, you may want to borrow a POH to photocopy. This fee is the typical charge by the FAA-designated computer testing centers to administer the FAA pilot knowledge test.