Prime Aviation Institutions in California to Consider for Aviation Training
Interested in a career as a pilot in California? Finding the right flight school for your needs is crucial. Here is a selection of notable flight schools in California, as featured on our website's Flight School Guide.
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A Glimpse at California’s Top Flight Schools
- ATP Flight School
- Over three decades of experience in flight training across 77 centers in 33 states, with eight locations in California.
- Comprehensive tuition covers all flight instruction, FAA tests, certificates, and ratings.
- Locations: Camarillo (KCMA), Carlsbad (KCRQ), Long Beach (KLGB), Livermore (KLVK), Los Angeles (KPOC), Riverside (KRAL), Sacramento (KSAC), San Diego (KMYF)
- California Aeronautical University (CAU)
- Offers bachelor's and associate degrees in professional pilot tracks, as well as rotor-wing training.
- Located in Bakersfield, Oxnard, and San Diego.
- Students pay both academic tuition and flight fees, estimated between $195,000 and $235,000 for degree and training completion.
- Partnerships include Delta, Southwest, and United.
- Mt. San Antonio College
- An FAA Part 141-approved school providing associate degree and certificate programs.
- Located in Walnut, it ranks as one of the top flight schools in Southern California.
- Academic tuition and flight fees must be paid concurrently, with in-state and out-of-state students expected to pay between $81,000 and $105,000 for degree and training completion.
- NorCal Flight Center LLC
- Offers self-paced training that allows students to complete their certificates and ratings according to their own schedule.
- Based in Lincoln.
- Tuition costs per training stage vary based on hours required; an estimated total cost of around $125,000 covers certificates and ratings up to certified flight instructor.
- Coast Flight Training
- Offers a variety of flight training options, including a professional pilot training program in partnership with American Airlines.
- Tuition is all-inclusive for the professional pilot Flight Academy, priced at $99,400.
Each flight school offers unique advantages for students with various goals and budgets, so it's essential to define your priorities when choosing a flight school in California. For a more personalized recommendation, consider Flycore's matching service.
California Flight School Details and FiguresWhen evaluating flight schools, keep in mind factors such as tuition, job placement assistance, and financial aid.
- California hosts over 100 flight schools, with less than 20 offering Part 141 accreditation, generally associated with better job placement and faster completion times.
- Average flight school ground class sizes at Part 141 schools typically contain 15-20 students, whereas Part 61 schools usually offer 1:1 training.
- Flight school tuition varies depending on the specific program and location; an accelerated flight program in California may cost around $100,000, while flight schools offering degree programs could range from $100,000 to $200,000.
- The average loan amount for California flight training is approximately $75,000, covering out-of-pocket payments and financial aid.
- Scholarships, VA benefits, and airline partnerships can help mitigate the cost of flight training.
- Flight schools may offer career assistance to students, with airline relationships potentially benefiting graduates in finding employment.
- For aspiring pilots, consider online courses to become an airplane or commercial pilot, designed by industry experts to help you pass FAA tests and Fly high.
- ATP Flight School, with multiple locations in California, provides comprehensive flight training, covering all instruction, FAA tests, certificates, and ratings.
- California Aeronautical University (CAU) offers bachelor's and associate degrees in professional pilot tracks, along with rotor-wing training, located in Bakersfield, Oxnard, and San Diego.
- Mt. San Antonio College, an FAA Part 141-approved school in Walnut, provides associate degree and certificate programs, ranking as one of the top flight schools in Southern California.
- NorCal Flight Center LLC, based in Lincoln, offers self-paced training with varying tuition costs based on training stages, covering certificates and ratings up to certified flight instructor.
- Coast Flight Training offers a variety of flight training options, including a professional pilot training program in partnership with American Airlines.
- When selecting a flight school, consider factors such as tuition, job placement assistance, and financial aid as California hosts over 100 flight schools, with Part 141 accreditation associated with better job placement and faster completion times.
