California Flight Schools
California is a great place to learn how to fly with a huge variety of terrains to observe and the full array of flight conditions to test yourself.
There are flight schools all across the Golden State that will provide the necessary flight training to get you off the ground and headed toward a life-changing hobby or career as an airline pilot.
We outline all the details of the best flight schools in California for an aviation education here, with the costs ranging from getting a private pilot license to a full education and becoming a professional pilot.
Be sure to check out the FAQ included after, where you can find the answers to some of the most common questions about learning to fly in California.
California Flight School
Los Angeles, CA
$11,200-15,000
Take the controls from start to finish—learn how to taxi, take off, fly, and land, all with an instructor by your side. Bring a friend along for the ride. Book your Discovery Flight today and start your career as a...
Advanced International Aviation Academy
Sacramento, CA
$14,277- $39,006
Advanced International Aviation Academy is the rated as one of the best flight training academies in the world. Our facilities and training programs are refined and advanced, to provide you with the best pilot training to become a professional airline...
California Aeronautical University
Bakersfield, CA
$35,951 - $49,750
California Aeronautical University programs are career-focused and prepare students for specific career outcomes, like an airline pilot or an airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic.
CAU students are prepared for their professional aviation careers not only through their academic and practical...
California Flight Academy
San Diego, CA
$16,880 – $57,325
California Flight Academy graduates are prepared with the knowledge, flight hours and experience that lead directly to high demand pilot careers in aviation domestically and internationally. Employers respect CFA because of our reputation for producing qualified, intelligent and productive pilots....
Coast Flight Training
San Diego, CA
$85,000
Established in 2008 at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport—one of the nation’s busiest hubs for small aircraft—Coast Flight Training began as a boutique Cirrus Training Center. By 2014, Coast had evolved into a full-scale flight training academy, built to address the growing...
Mach 1 Aviation
Van Nuys, CA
$15,000 - $20,000
Whether you’re brand new to flying or working toward advanced certifications, Mach 1 offers personalized instruction, modern aircraft, and expert mentorship to support your journey.
From beachside landings to mountain escapes, every lesson is a chance to explore iconic destinations...
NorCal Flight Center
Lincoln, CA
$25,000
NorCal Flight Center offers low-pressure flight training for those looking to learn at their own pace in a low-commitment setting. It’s a school that prides itself on a low instructor-to-student ratio and can all but guarantee a highly personal learning...
Riverside Flight Academy
Riverside, CA
$8000 - $49,000
We have all the tools for you to achieve your flight training goals. We have a fleet of 14 airplanes all with Garmin GPS 430, 530 or 950’s. Digital Screens in 8 C172s and the 2 Tecnam Twins. Our instructors...
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Los Angeles, CA
$94,000 - $123,000
Welcome to Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Inglewood Campus! This campus is conveniently located on Aviation Boulevard only about a mile from LAX airport. The training at this location is focused on Aviation Maintenance Technology. Our programs are approved...
What do you need to become a pilot in California?
There are only a few prerequisites to obtaining your private pilot’s license in California. You must be at least 17 years old and able to speak, read, write, and understand English. You also need to obtain a student, sport, or recreational pilot certificate.
Once you’ve met these basic requirements, you can proceed to work toward passing the necessary written and practical exams required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This will include ground school training as well as flight training with and without instructors present.
Attending a certified, quality flight school can take all of the guesswork out of the process and get you flying in no time.
How much does flight school cost in California?
Flight school can help you achieve whatever level of pilot license you’re after, and the cost will be a wide range according to your needs. The cost to get the most basic credential, a Private Pilot License, hovers around $12,000 to $15,000 depending on your chosen school.
From this basic license, you can work your way up to a professional and finally commercial pilot license and the cost for this can vary greatly between schools. You should expect to be in for around at least $50,000 to achieve a professional license and that much again for a commercial pilot license. All in, the total from complete beginner to certified commercial pilot can be in the ballpark of $90,000 – $150,000.
Although that can seem like a daunting figure, it’s worth noting that several schools have scholarship opportunities as well as a positive record for career placement after students successfully complete their training.
Once you obtain your credentials, the most lucrative career tracks get you on course to earn great money.
How much do pilots get paid in California?
Pilots in California have one of the highest employment rates as the Golden State routinely ranks near the top spots for pilot jobs. The amount of pay directly correlates with the individual pilot’s experience, certifications and employment opportunities.
The baseline salary for commercial airline pilots averages around $77,000 a year and can reach well over $200,000 based entirely on experience and flight hours accumulated. Private pilots can expect a higher average salary of roughly $90,000 yearly with a lower ceiling, topping around $120,000.
Pilots can expect to see fantastic opportunities for growth, with overall employment in the industry forecasted to be 4% growth over the next decade. It’s an industry that always needs well-trained people to take up the task.