'Somehow it always feels good to go south' - an opinion even Tree Beard from Lord of the Rings…read moreshared. Going south on 101, after passing San Jose and Morgan Hill, next comes San Martin. Who would think that such a small community will have such a great airport? The runway sits next to freeway so you might drive alongside planes that are landing or taking off, a splendid view. Besides the great runway there is a flying club, Magnum Aviation, a place that always welcomes you and offers you a chill place in a hot summer day. If you want to start flying, this a good place, with several instructors and we'll maintained planes. Either driving or flying there will be a pleasant experience.

As an independent flight instructor I used the aircraft from Magnum for my student lessons. It was…read morequite a loss to the field (and the independent flight instructors, like myself) that Magnum opted not to renew their lease with the county when it was due to expire at the end of 2020. After it closed near the middle of December 2020 a unique FBO passed. It was an FBO without membership or enrollment fees (so the student could spend their money all towards their training) and where the instructors were independent CFI's and not staff. To it's credit, Magnum would only take a cut of the rental of the aircraft from the leaseback owner and the independent CFI's kept their entire fee (paid directly to them by the flight student). Most of the time with staff flight instructors, the FBO takes a pretty sizeable cut of the fee that is charged for the flight instructor and paid by the student. What this would mean, of course, is that the student would be paying more per hour for the instructor's time. None of that at Magnum. A truly unique training resource has been lost - you won't find another like Magnum was. I still instruct out of San Martin Airport (I've been a Full-Time FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor for nearly 15 years now and have given over 7,000 hours of instruction in that time), but Magnum Aviation was a very valuable and unique resource to leave our field, permanently and it will be greatly missed.

I highly recommend Taylor Lamarcus as a flight instructor, especially for anyone pursuing an…read moreInstrument Rating. Taylor trained me for my instrument rating during the first part of 2026. From our very first flight it was obvious that Taylor was knowledgeable, safety-focused and extremely patient. Just as importantly for long training days in the cockpit, he has a great sense of humor and creates a relaxed learning environment that helps reduce stress and build confidence. One thing Taylor did exceptionally well was progressively increasing the difficulty throughout training. He started with solid fundamentals and continuously pushed me just beyond my comfort zone in productive ways. By the time I reached my checkride, the actual exam felt straightforward because our final training sessions were more demanding than what the DPE required. That preparation made a huge difference. Taylor was also very flexible with scheduling and willing to train in my own aircraft, which helped me develop a much deeper understanding of my airplane beyond just what was required for IFR procedures. For students without an aircraft, he also has one available for rent. Taylor's training approach combines practical in-flight instruction with independent ground study, which I found extremely effective. He also organizes study sessions with other students for quiz prep and more advanced concepts, which added a lot of value. Thank you, Taylor! It was a joy training with you!

I just received my private pilot certificate and did all my training with Lamascus Flight Training…read more Taylor is a great instructor with lots of patience and nerves of steel. He lets you learn by making mistakes, but doesn't let you do anything un-safe. I also like how he builds a community with his students, past and present. If you are considering getting your private pilot certificate, definitely reach out to Lamascus Flight Training!

I earned my private pilot license back in 2007 and COVID gave me the perfect excuse to social…read moredistance, up in the clouds, by earning my instrument rating. There were a lot of flight schools in the Bay Area to choose from. However, I promise you that you won't find a better place to train at than South County Aviation. Here are some reasons why: 1. Bailey is a great instructor. He develops personalized instruction that maximizes your flying time. He has adopted different technologies, such as using a GoPro to capture flight training for later review. He is very knowledgeable and friendly. Most importantly, he is a "calm" instructor. There are instructors out there that are ready to take over the controls the moment the student does something goes wrong. This is not Bailey. He uses cues to refocus your attention on what's wrong and how to correct it. He is very professional and easy to communicate which is so crucial when you're shoulder to shoulder with someone for so many hours. I know what we'll be working on in any given session and he gives comprehensive de-briefs that allow me to focus on new skills. Safety is always a prime area of focus of his. 2. The rental rates and instruction rates at SCA are great! There isn't a monthly membership fee unlike other FBOs at San Martin. This means that the business is able to support itself and the economics work without having to charge additional fees. Less fees means more air time for students, which is an important consideration. Also, there is always availability in the schedule for rentals and instruction. You can book without having to wait to find a slot! 3. The equipment at SCA is very well cared for. As of this review, SCA has upgraded N61610 with a brand new avionics panel and leather interiors. In N3912R, they have just refreshed the exterior paint. The dates for each system's required maintenance (transponder, ELT, VOR, annual, etc) are listed on a whiteboard in the hanger so you know that the planes are well cared for and maintained. You can truly feel the pride of ownership. It makes you feel confident knowing how well they care for their equipment. 4. The location of SCA is great. San Martin is a small un-towered field so you're not spending a lot of time waiting on air traffic control or other aircraft. You're only minutes away from the practice area but close to other, larger airspace. 5. This is a small, family run business and it is clear that they are supporting a passion. I've met a lot of the family and they are very friendly and welcoming. It is nice to support a local business that is just starting. I look forward to completing my instrument rating and continuing to rent at SCA!

I needed to get a 2 year flight review done to maintain my private pilot license and to brush up on…read moresome things. I called the owner Bailey and he was absolutely phenomenal. This is a small flight school meaning you get treated like royalty and they don't nickel and dime you. Bailey knows his stuff and what's better is that he knows what's important and what's not so important so you don't get bogged down with useless information. Many flight instructors will give you the impression that landings, takeoffs, and various other flight techniques are like following a recipe from a cookbook -- follow the steps, don't deviate, and you'll generally be fine. Bailey will help you understand how to assess each situation and understand airplane dynamics so you can adjust your procedure to give the best possible outcome. I absolutely learned new things in the time I spent with Bailey and those are tips that I will take with me for the rest of my flying years. This is no nonsese flight instruction and I couldn't recommend it more.

This school is unethical. One of their customers rented their airplane and died, after trying to…read morecontrol the uncontrollable airplane for nearly 3 hours. The first thing the school did was try to shed any blame off themselves by suggesting/speculating intentional pilot actions. Their airplane that crashed, N5203H, was also previously totalled in 2016 but they kept flying it anyways. If you love life and care about your loved ones, I'd avoid this school. There are plenty of other schools that won't turn their back on you if you have an accident.

One has to wonder why all of the reviews are more the 3 years old. The biggest mistake made by…read morepeople interested in getting their PPL is naivete. They don't know what to ask. Understand that less than 20% of students actually achieve their PPL. The challenges are cost, availability of instructors and planes, weather, instructor objectives, personal availability, and other minor obstacles. Instruction quality can be both lacking or superior depending on who is teaching. If your goal is to get your PPL quickly, a flight school is a bad choice. Do some research before you decide. I didn't and I've spent over 4 years, $90K, and have had 5 instructors in pursuit of my PPL. If you're not in a rush and are just curious, it will work for you. It isn't easy and requires commitment. Get some guidance and explore the alternatives. Instructors have to complete your training and sign you off for your check ride. If they leave for better opportunities, you have to start over. At $300 and hour for rental and instructor cost, it gets expensive fast.

Specialized Aviation and pilot Chris were better than we could have imagined! They made the entire…read moreprocess extremely easy and enjoyable! We did the wine tasting at Odonata Winery and it was such a great experience. Really enjoyed the flight over the Salinas Valley and the Monterey Bay, ending with a flight over Santa Cruz. We saw whales, dolphins and sharks! It was amazing! Can't say enough! We have lived in the Salinas area most of our lives and this was such an amazing experience. Highly recommend Specialized Aviation and pilot Chris!

Specialized Aviation has been nothing less than an outstanding experience. The training here has…read moreexceeded my expectations, thanks to the quality of the instructors, the supportive atmosphere, and the overall standard they strive for. The facility itself and the people you will meet truly encompasses the spirit of aviation, creating an environment where both passion and professionalism thrive. Thank you Specialized Aviation Helicopters, would highly recommend checking it out.

Aerodynamic Aviation was a great choice for my training needs. The flight instructors and staff…read morewere very accommodating and adjusted to my schedule. I completed my instrument and commercial ratings from start to finish utilizing aircraft from both the Monterey and Salinas locations. I'd recommend this training facility to anyone looking to advance their aviation training needs. Thanks again.

This was a surprise to me from my Boyfriend for my birthday and I have to say it did not…read moredisappoint! I have only been on commercial planes and knew nothing about what I was about to get into. The staff were so friendly, helpful and fun! This may be our first time visiting here, it will most definitely not be our last. If you are looking for a fun outing or a Birthday surprise look no further!!!

Came for my 30th birthday, left with one less irrational fear…read more I'm terrified of heights, but Nakela was so calm, funny, and reassuring that I somehow ended up actually enjoying myself. He made the whole experience feel safe and unforgettable. If you're on the fence (or white-knuckling it like I was), book with Nakela. He'll have you conquering fears and grinning the whole way. Thanks for making my 30th one I'll never forget!!! You rule!!

What a phenomenal experience! I surprised my husband with a Fly with Friends experience. No flights…read moreexperience needed, a pilot goes up there with you. Alexis took care of the takeoff and landing, and did an excellent job coaching my husband during the flight. I recommend this for anyone that wants to try flying and/or see the Bay Area from through new eyes'

Luis was an amazing instructor. He had so much to share and was patient as all can be. He's chill…read moreand intelligent. Did this as a surprise birthday present for my man and he loved it so much. We will definitely go back and I suggest you request Luis. He's amazing Flight is over San Jose though not the bay view.

I have been training with Chris Murphy and he's an excellent CFI - I have learnt so much and made…read moreincredible progress on my private pilots license. The curriculum is very structured and the school has a very high bar for its students. The airplanes are a little old, but they are very well maintained with a dedicated team taking very good care of them.

Beware‼‼ Some kind of scam…read more Bought on their website through Yelp intro lesson as a surprise present for my husband, later I called to confirm the time and date, did not send any confirmation. They said that their pilot will call. A pilot called asking about my U.S citizenship and later offered illegal schemes for exchanging flights for weed. I do not know is it a new way of scammers but I am freaking out because their pilot keeps calling and harassing me. I blocked number but I left my address, full name and phone number on their website so I am terrified. I am this close to calling police.

I took an introductory flight with Binh today and it was great! From the time I booked my flight,…read moreBinh was responsive and very pleasant to deal with. She made me feel at ease when we met and judging by how meticulously she inspected the plane before we boarded, I knew I was in good hands. We flew a C152 and though it was a little windy, we had a nice ride over the bay. Got some nice views of Sausalito, TI, downtown SF, Alcatraz and GG bridge. Binh let me fly for a while and she was so good at giving instructions. Looking forward to learning from her and flying with her again. Thanks, Binh!

I had an intro flight with North Aero (considering the pilot path, chasing the dream!), really…read moreenjoyed the experience, cruising over Moss Landing to Watsonville was stunning. Kevin was a great instructor, friendly, patient, professional, put my passenger's nerves at ease. Great local flight school, highly recommended.

Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to fly. It wasn't until my wife purchased an…read moreintroductory flight that I realized it's not as far out of reach as I have always believed it to be. This was the spark that kick started my motivation. I went to Erick after some research and after a friend that works at the airport spoke highly of Erick an his work ethic. I am now a student at North Aero and I can sincerely say that the instructors and staff here are second to none. They are committed to guiding all their students to success and a Private Pilot's Certificate. Scheduling is extremely flexible and can accommodate any student 7 days a week mornings through evenings. The commitment does not stop with teaching. North Aero's top priority is safety. They take zero chances when it it comes the aircraft as they meticulously maintain them. If you are looking to become a private pilot or are looking for a foot in the door to careers in aviation, Aero North is the top of their trade. Flying isn't something you want to learn from someone other than the best.