Flight Schools in SoCal
 

Hello, everyone :cool:

I'm looking to start my flight training beginning next year with the goal of working my way up to a commercial license. From there I'll become a CFI and work my way up to the 1500 ATP requirement to be eligible to apply to a regional. (Most likely Skywest or Compass since I'd like to be based out of LAX).

I've been looking at flight schools around the Los Angeles area and they all seem pretty standard. I figure I can start at any one of them and go from there, but was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations. I did do a search on the forum but nothing really comes up as far as flight schools in the So Cal LA area (at least recently).

Also, any thoughts on Part 61 vs Part 141? Again, from what I've read most people seem to agree that it doesn't really matter as long as the instructor is good.

Also, I'm shooting to join the United Airlines Pilot Career Path Program at the Airline Training Center in Arizona, I have my Bachelor‘s degree, but I do understand it's a long shot. Regardless, since I'm still going to instruct up to the 1500 ATP requirement I think it's the worth shot.

I just turned 29, so I'm looking to do this as efficiently as possible without racking up too much debt.

Thanks!

Socal is quite vast. Maybe state the city you are in for better results.

Very true! Haha...

I'm equal distances between Fullerton and Long Beach, El Monte and Compton aren't that far away either.

I honestly wouldn't mind a bit of a drive either as long as the place was solid.

I'm currently looking at the Long Beach Flying Club, Pacific Air Flight School, and Aces High Aviation all in Long Beach and also the SoCal Flying Club in El Monte.

I was also looking at Channel Islands Aviation in Camarillo but that would be too crazy of a drive.

Anyways, thanks again. I think I've already learned quite a bit by reading some of the older posts on the subject but any advice does help :cool:

Socal flying Club at EMT is decent. Good fleet of DA40 G1000s, nice 182rg for complex/high performance training, and they have a twin now. I have flown with them in the past. In my opinion, that's where I would go if I were you.

You can get your private/instrument in the DA40s, commercial in the 182rg, multi in the DA42. Then the CFIs and teach there to build time. The other clubs don't have complex and or multi engine aircraft to continue on with your commercial and beyond. Continuity is good, which you can have at Socal, just hook up with one of their instructors, let them know your goal and hammer it out.

Hey,
I think I am pretty much on the same page with this OP.
I am looking for schools around orange county area (Long Beach, Fullerton, Santa Ana...)


AFA (long beach) Cost « Accelerated Flight Academy
Pacific Air Flight School (Long Beach) pacificairflightschool.com/
AFI Fullerton https://www.flyafi.com/private
FUNOUTSIDE (Fullerton) FunOutside Aviation - Start Flying Now

Any opinion or experience with these schools?

Thanks! Yeah, I took a look at the club's website and it's actually not that far from where I live. Plus they also seem to have very reasonable rates at $115/hr for the Diamond Star DA40-G530/430 and $49/hr for the instructor. At least it's comparable with what I've seen at other places plus the those Diamond Stars do look good, especially the DA42. I will definitely check them out, thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

I was checking out the Long Beach Flying Club as well and they do have some very low hourly rates for those 152's, and although they are a bit older I guess everything should be fine as long as they are well maintained which I'm sure they are, that club has been opened for more than 30 years or so it says on their website. I was also curious about why that AFA place does 30 hours of ground instruction at $55/hr. I was under the impression that most of this can be covered at home, but maybe since they are part 141 it's a part of the curriculum. Nevermind, I took a look at that AFI Fullerton and they also charge for about the same hours of ground school, I guess it's Part 141 thing since I've read that they have training programs which are more structured. Anyways, best of luck on your search!!

aiir:

My two cents...here we go!

I fly out of KLGB and have been very happy with Pacific Air Flight School. Solid fleet of well-maintained planes. You have a choice between "steam-gauge" 172s as well as a G1000 172. IMHO...Save your money and go fly a steam-gauge plane as opposed to a G1000. Buy yourself an iPad and install fore flight. That program will give you just as much info as a G1000 and ALOT cheaper in the long run. That's what I do now. I can afford to fly the G1000 but choose not to. That's just me.

I had a couple of flights out of AFI in KFUL. I like the school. Well established and I believe they are a Part 141...not sure. The one thing that drew me away was their prices. Going to KLGB saves me about $20-25 an hour on the plane.

Stop by and visit the school and ask to speak to current students. Know the difference between a 141 and a Part 61 school. Minimum flight hour requirement for a Commercial guy/gal at a 141 school will be 190hrs total time to take your COMM checkride. You'll need 250hrs at a Part 61 school. That's A LOT OF MONEY you'd be saving attending a 141 school.

In the long run, sit down, do your research and make an informed decision. Choose a school that will be the right fit for you.

Thanks, GrumpyBear!! I appreciate your reply, especially the part about a Part 141 school only requiring 190 hours to make it to the commercial license versus the 250 of a Part 61 program.

I've been doing a great deal of reading different aviation books and I bought a flight sim program (X-Plane 11) to sort of try out and apply what I'm reading, this way I figure I'll waste less time on the plane once I get started training. Pacific Air Flight School does seem like a good place with reasonable prices, although only Part 61. (I read somewhere that they are trying to get their Part 141 certification...but who knows if it'll happen anytime soon.)

I did download ForeFlight on my phone and it definitely seems like a great program, thanks! :cool:

aiir:

I heard the same thing about them (Pac Air) working on their 141 accreditation. Best of Luck to you!

Thanks, I appreciate it!

Here are my 2 cents, I worked for So Cal Flying Club as a CFI and obtained all but my PPL rating because I didn't know of them yet. But the guys there are super stand up and if you want your 1500 hours fast, they are the only ones in town that will get you there. I believe all of the CFI's that went to them with the wish of getting hours to 1500 hours obtained them in about 1 year or less. This was at least 6 CFI's in the last 2 years. The manager there does a great job keeping the guys working and it's really up to you to be available for the work.

Part 61 vs 141 is only a short cut in hours needed for your CSEL rating. You still need your 1500 for the airline job that you are looking for.

As a previous CFI here, I STRONGLY suggest that you look into So Cal Flying Club. We have over 85% first time checkride pass rating between all of the certificates. Many of the certificates are over 90% first time checkride passes. Many of the instructors there are high time CFI's, CFII's and extremely knowledgeable and not using you for time building. Of course there will always be several CFI's looking to move to the airlines, but the difference is the support that everyone gets there and the level of expertise that all is willing to share. Staff ranges from ex Airline pilots, Current airline pilots working part time, Retired FAA Inspectors, Jet Captains, etc. I believe hiring CFI's is given priority to those who have obtain ratings with the club.

As for the aircraft rates, I did a lot of shopping and comparing after my initial PPL and you really can't beat the price and range or aircraft availability that So Cal Flying Club has. Although it's more expensive than a 1960 152/172/PA28, you really can't compare since the planes are 2002 or newer with GPS. The price compared to LGB, VNY or anyone else with similar age equipment is extremely attractive. $115 for a DA40 with dual GPS? Where else can you find that?

Again, I did my homework and selected So Cal Flying Club for my ratings and also worked there and put my trust in that club to bring my goals to life. It was the best choice I made for my airline career goals. Many of my friends went to ATP and other schools and they are still there working as CFI's while I'm a few months from my Captain upgrade at a regional. Can't ask for anything better.... I guess maybe a call from the CJO from the Majors?

Thanks, OCPilot! I appreciate the feedback, they are definitely on my shortlist and I will be looking into them, best of luck on your journey on to the majors :cool:.