Ready to Learn to Fly? Pilot Training in Los Angeles
A discovery flight is how you find out whether flying is for you. If you want real lessons after that, training is with our sister flight school, The Flight Academy (opens in a new tab). Fly LA Experience does not run the training courses. The Flight Academy does.
Start with a discovery flight
The first step is still here. A discovery flight is a one-hour flight from Van Nuys with an FAA-certificated instructor, in a Cessna 172 or Piper Archer. You can fly as much as you like. On your first flight, your instructor handles the takeoff and landing. It's $230, no experience is required, and the time with your instructor can be logged toward a certificate.
That hour is a real first lesson. It is not the rest of the training. When you want to keep going, you continue at The Flight Academy.
Training is with The Flight Academy
The Flight Academy is our sister company. Their site describes a family-owned Part 61 flight school at Van Nuys Airport, with courses for first-time students and for pilots adding ratings.
Call them at 818-516-8010 or email theflightacademy@gmail.com. Their site lists office hours of 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Start with their learn to fly (opens in a new tab) page, or ask them directly from the contact page (opens in a new tab).
What comes next
These are the courses on their menu. Each course page lists the requirements they publish, a typical duration, and the price they are charging now. Prices change, so this page does not repeat them. See current pricing at The Flight Academy.
Private pilot
This is the usual first certificate. It is for flying on your own and carrying passengers, not for hire. Their course page lists a minimum age of 17, being able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and at least a third-class medical. Private pilot course and current pricing (opens in a new tab).
Instrument rating
After the private certificate, the instrument rating is for flying by instruments under instrument flight rules, including in a wider range of weather. Their page lists a private pilot certificate among the requirements. Instrument rating (opens in a new tab).
Commercial pilot
The commercial certificate is for pilots who want to be paid to fly. Their page lists a private pilot certificate and a second-class medical among the requirements. Commercial pilot course (opens in a new tab).
Multi-engine
The multi-engine commercial rating adds multi-engine privileges for pilots who already hold a commercial certificate. They do this training in a Piper Seneca III at Van Nuys. Multi-engine rating (opens in a new tab).
Flight instructor
The certified flight instructor course is for commercial pilots who want to teach. Their page says graduates can train students through the private certificate. They also offer an instrument instructor course, which lists a flight instructor certificate and an instrument rating as requirements, and a multi-engine instructor course, which lists a flight instructor certificate and a commercial multi-engine rating. Certified flight instructor (opens in a new tab), instrument instructor (opens in a new tab), and multi-engine instructor (opens in a new tab).
Shorter add-ons
They also list a tailwheel endorsement in their 1940 Piper J-3 Cub, a combined complex and high-performance endorsement in the Piper Seneca III, and spin awareness and upset recovery in a Pitts Special S-2B. The spin course is for pilots who want that practice and for instructor candidates. Tailwheel (opens in a new tab), complex and high performance (opens in a new tab), and spin awareness (opens in a new tab).
The training fleet
Their fleet page lists two Piper Archer IIs, a 1976 and a 1982, a 1979 Cessna 172N, a 1940 Piper J-3 Cub, a 1982 Piper Seneca III, and a 1987 Pitts Special S-2B. See the fleet (opens in a new tab).
Pricing and how to pay
See current pricing at The Flight Academy. Each course page shows the rate in use now, and some rates are listed as varying with the hours you need. Their financing article describes aviation loans, personal loans, scholarships, VA education benefits for students who qualify, and school payment plans. They say they offer flexible payment options, and to ask them what is available before you enroll. Financing and payment options (opens in a new tab).
Ready when you are
Book the discovery flight with us if you have not flown yet. If you are ready for lessons, go to The Flight Academy and pick the course.
Questions about the discovery flight go to Fly LA Experience at (818) 683-3404. Questions about training after that go to The Flight Academy at 818-516-8010.