I started training at Century Air in July 2020 and have since completed the private, instrument, commercial, CFI, and CFII courses. I researched several schools at CDW and at MMU prior to enrolling here. After visiting this school and getting to know more about the facility during my consultation, I was impressed at how well-run it is. The staff is very professional, everything is very clean, the airplanes are well-maintained, the curriculum is very organized, and the brochures they prepare highlight everything you need to know about the courses they offer. The final point that sealed the deal for me is that Century does not hire anyone and everyone who graduates from their program. All their instructors are tested and held to high standards before getting hired. This means that you will not be training with instructors who are only there to build time to go to the airlines. Instead, you will get highly proficient instructors who actually want to be there to teach you and truly care about your success. This is a Part 141 school, which means that the FAA oversees and approves the curriculum. As a result, you will be able to complete the requirements at a reduced number of hours, as well as have a structured syllabus to follow so you are trained to a high standard to become a good and proficient pilot. An additional benefit of having this structure is you always know what will be covered in every lesson and you will have progress checks along the way to keep you on track. For someone like me, this motivates me and allows me to push myself and set the bar higher to get the most out of my training. Flight school is different from a traditional college setting in the sense that everything is done at your own pace. You are assigned an instructor and you can complete all your ground and flight lessons together whenever you can. There are no lectures or classes to sit in on at predetermined times. This makes it very flexible for people who work and want to flight train when they have free time. This also allows you to take breaks when life gets busy without needing to wait for a vacation. Since Century is open 7 days a week, as long as your instructor and plane are available and the weather is nice, you can fly. Shortly after enrolling, I was assigned my instructor, Nick Ollo. I have obtained all my pilot certificates with him and I am very glad to have done so. Nick always challenged me to exceed the flight test standards so that I could become a better pilot and always work to improve my skills. He always has a wealth of knowledge and has taught me so many things that I wouldn't be able to learn just from a textbook. He is very dedicated to his job as a flight instructor, and I could tell that he cares a lot about it. There was never a point in time where I felt like I was neglected or not getting the full value out of my training. He has seen me grow from a zero-time student, all the way to becoming a flight instructor myself. Without him, I definitely would not be as great of a pilot as I am today. Being that CDW is under New York's airspace, which is the second busiest airspace in the world, you will get a lot of practice flying in and around congested airspace. Since CDW also has an ATC tower, you will also get a lot of practice communicating with air traffic control both on the ground and in the air. These reasons help to justify the costs of flight training in the New York metropolitan area, which like everything else in the area, is above average. You won't get the same experience training in the middle of nowhere or the cornfields. Century also has a simulator training center located down the street at the airport. The G1000 simulator is mainly used for instrument training, and there is a Frasca simulator that is mainly used for multi-engine training. Having access to simulators means that you can complete your training at a lower cost, as well as have fewer cancellations due to weather. It is much cheaper and more efficient to transfer skills that you learn on the ground into the plane, rather than try to learn everything in the cockpit. Lastly, one of the nicest benefits of training here is that the flight school owner, Richard Greene, is also a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Therefore, you will be able to take your checkrides (flight tests) without needing to fly to other airports to do so. Rich is the most experienced aviator I know, holding certificates in all different types of aircraft you could possibly think of. Rich, as well as his wife, Christine, run the school together and they put in a lot of effort to make sure your experience at the school is top-notch. They have worked very hard to build the school up to where it is today. Overall, my experience at Century Air has been amazing. I am very happy that I chose to train here and cannot imagine going anywhere else. I highly recommend you schedule a consultation and tour the facility if you are considering flight training! read more

Century Air - Checkride passed! - Flight Instruction Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

Met the owner today about flight training. This man has no business talking to prospective clients. The climate of this facility was so negative , when I walked in. Staff was actually scared on what they can or not say since they were young. Mr. Greene only talked about how great his school was with disregard to other professional's in this field. I was a flight instructor for 32 years in the Air Force as a Inflight Refueler. He had Zero respect on my accomplishments, but to no end told me about his. I turned 4 shades of red with his interview in 20 minutes, then he wanted to Rob me for $ 20,000 stay away or see for yourself... JK Retired Air Foce read more

I had a great time flying with Century Air! It really is amazing that a school of this caliber can provide such a level of attention to it's students. I really don't think there is another school out there that has this professional of an operation. Whether you are flying for career or as a hobby you receive the same high level of hands on learning. I had a job transfer and has to finish my private at another location and all I can say is I am glad I learned 90% of what I did from Century. read more

I received my private pilot training at Century Air and I have nothing but GREAT things to say. They are truly very professional and such a pleasure to work with. They really take the time to listen and look at each of their student's needs in order to provide them the best possible experience with their flight training. I personally had quite an unpredictable schedule at work but Century was always so open and accommodating with me when it came to scheduling flight lessons. There was always an airplane available and I never felt like my time was ever wasted. Everyone at Century genuinely cared about my progress and that was very important for me, especially as a new student pilot. Richard Greene, the founder and president of Century Air, also emphasizes quality flight training and it shows through their instructors. I had such a great experience at Century and ALWAYS recommend this school to anyone inquiring about flight training! read more

Century Air is a very professional place to fly. The owner, Richard Greene is very friendly and knowledgable. The staff is helpful and the planes are in good condition. Finishing up my private pilot and definitely staying with them for my instrument rating. read more

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I am a pilot for a major International airline. I learned about Century Air because my very good friend did all her professional pilot training at this school. She invited me to go on a flight over NYC to see the skyline and it was impressive but I was more impressed with her knowledge and skill as a pilot and how well she managed the flight in the Class B NY airspace. She has received excellent training at Century Air and I would highly recommend this school to anyone who would be pursuing an airline career. It's important to get quality training! I also met the owner who is a pmbretired airline captain. He runs a very professional school, one of the best I've seen in my years of aviation. read more

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When you enter school, it is a place with positive energy, everyone is very kind and always has a smile on their face. They have an excellent service. They have all the security measures and the pilots are excellent with a lot of experience. their facilities are very professional but still make you feel at home. My experience flying with the school was amazing. The instructor I had was very knowledgeable and I always felt confident in her ability. I would definitely recommend the school as I'm sure is very highly regarded in the industry . read more

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I bought a voucher for my dad to go flying and I'm glad I chose Century Air to give him a very memorable experience. He can't stop talking about it! The staff were very pleasant and accommodating and they made us feel valued. John was very professional and knowledgeable. The entire flight was educational and his landing was very smooth! I would definitely recommend Century Air to my friends and will definitely come back. read more

Century Air - Flight Instruction Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

I am so pleased with the training at Century Air. We gave flight lessons to my son as a gift and he really is enjoying the flight lessons. I feel that my son is in very safe hands as I reviewed flight schools in detail. Each phase of his flight training is monitored for safety and knowledge and he really likes his instructor. I would highly recommend Century Air to anyone that would like to learn to fly. read more

Century Air - Flight Instruction Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

Okay so maybe I was watching Top Gun one weekend. And maybe I was blasting Danger Zone while going at a very safe *wink, wink* speed on the highway. And maybe Berlin's song started playing when the mood was right. Anyways what I'm trying to say is after all this I really wanted to be a fighter pilot for the good ol' U.S. of A! Alas some dreams can never come true but there is one aspect of that dream that I can pursue. That of course is my dream of getting a pilot's license. Yeah you read that right folks I want to be a pilot. It's alright I know what you're thinking but don't worry your car or house insurance rate will not go up, but the friendly skies might not be as friendly anymore. I'm kidding...just kidding! So when I decided to take the first step I knew I had to find the right school. Century Air is one of the leading schools in the area. It's located in Essex County Airport in Fairfield, NJ and has some high quality instructors that truly make it great. They schedule you according to convenience and my first ever flight was done with absolute care. I actually got to meet the president of the company Mr. Greene and he was so awesome. He even offered to let me use his Telex airman headset. It was so comfortable. My first flight was so informative I learned so much and tried to absorb as much as I could. My instructor for the first flight even let me have a go at the controls all by myself. I felt like I put on some big boy pants after that. There's nothing that grows hair on your chest than controlling a flying machine several hundred feet from the ground! Yeah baby, knock that one off my bucket list. So if you are interested in flying for the first time, or really want to be on your way to becoming a pilot, Century Air is the place to go. Who knows I might see you fly the friendly skies with me someday. But that might not be for a long, long, very long time... read more

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CENTURY AIR -- The best in aviation training. Everybody, from the dispatchers, instructors, and owners, is extremely amiable, knowledgeable, and professional. Never have I been in an environment in which I felt safe to walk up to anybody, even if it's somebody I don't know (be it a CFI or a fellow student) and ask a question in regard to course material because the answer I receive comes from a place of wisdom, humility, and a willingness to help; at Century, no question is a stupid one and everyone is treated with respect. The staff is there because they want to be there. Instructors are patient, helpful, apt, and experienced--all the qualities one desires in a CFI. If I do not understand a concept, maneuver, procedure, etc. I never feel second best because every instructor I've had the pleasure of working with takes the time to explain things to me in a way that I can understand, even if that means sitting down with me for an hour to go over something (I am, after all, a perfectionist!). Further, the flight instructors absolutely love their jobs and go out of their way to help their colleague's students. For example, another instructor offered to fly with me on several occasions when my instructor was booked up (despite the fact that this other instructor had a lot of students to attend to). If that isn't dedication and a love for aviation, then I don't know what is! The school is flexible and is willing to work with your schedule. Additionally, facilities are new and spotless (which is a good thing if you're a clean freak like me). The main building offers snacks and a comfy lounge to decompress after a day of flying. I want to personally thank Richard and Christine Greene for their guidance, support, and encouragement throughout my training thus far. I can hardly wait to start my CPL training! read more

Unsurpassed flight training. I've trained at two other flight schools and I must say this flight academy is far superior in every way. The instructor I am assigned to far exceded my expectations. He is prompt, very professional and is a wealth of knowledge. He always has a lesson planned for that day. The fleet of planes are well maintained. The academy is family owned and operated by pilots with years of commercial flight experience, and they do one thing and only one thing.... really well.....teach folks how to fly!!!! So for those who are interested in either knowing more about flying, add a rating on to their existing pilot certificate or want to make a career out of flying, stop by and talk to the owner who is always will to talk about flying...you won't be disappointed! It worked for me! read more

Unethical billing practices. Mr. Green should control the way some trainers on his rolls charge for ground training, they charge you from the time you say hello till the time you leave the premises. Every second of trainer's time waiting for re-fueling or minor repairs is charged as ground training. How about the waste of student's time? why should student pay up for these activities that is Mr. Green's responsibiliy. Trainers always take the benefit of doubt. Secondly, Mr Green takes a $1500 deposit and keeps charging off from that money, No other school does it. Because of the practice, students don't come to know how much they are being charged.. or else, student can question the instructor, why 1 hr has been charged as ground instruction when only 15 minutes was spent for debriefing. read more

I received my private pilot training here and couldn't have asked for a better experience. The owner, Richard Greene, runs an extremely organized and professional operation that you'll struggle to find anywhere else and he makes sure that every instructor teaches their students how to be excellent aviators with good airmanship, and well informed decision making skills. At Century, it's all about safety and precision. My instructor, Gary Rigg, shaped me into the pilot I am today and was undoubtedly one of the main reasons I felt so comfortable and well educated throughout my training. He went above and beyond to ensure I was flying to the best of my abilities (whether it be in his teaching style and patience when actually in the plane or by answering any questions I had all times of the day by phone) and could not have prepared me better for the checkride (which, thanks to my training, felt almost like a normal flight). Thus, I plan on getting my training here all the way through commercial and CFI as the quality of the instruction here is superior, along with its facilities. The building itself is kept very clean and organized making it optimal for an academic environment, and the planes are maintained as well as what you'd expect of an airline (every issue is taken seriously and you'll never see a Century aircraft go flying if it isn't absolutely safe and airworthy, something else the owner takes extremely seriously). Make no hesitation in getting your training here if you want a professional, safe, and first class experience with great people read more

If you want to get robbed rather go walk around the streets of Harlem late at night because you have less chance of being raped at the same time then by visiting Century Air. I was lied to repeatedly while attending this school to convert my license. They told me I'd have to complete courses to part 141 which involved heavy costs and hours on my behalf I found out later on all I needed to do was a flight test which would of saved me at the very least 10 thousand dollars. I have never had such bad service in my entire life and such a bad experience. Even after leaving they tried to make me pay more money which they said I owed them. Never give them a credit card because they will illegally try to extort the money from you in the future. As a foreigner travelling to the United States for the first time these thieves at century air left a very bad taste in my mouth and don't forget this is someone who comes from Australia a country which was started with criminals and I have never seen behaviour like I witnessed there. So take my advice and stay as FAR FAR FAR FAR AWAY from this place as possible. read more

Great flight training. I wish I knew about Richard and his school when I was getting my instrument rating. I've done g1000 training. The simulators that they have are invaluable to training. I highly recommend Century Air for private thru more advanced ratings. They will train you to be competent not just proficient. read more

Century Air is a great flight school. After checking out a few other schools in the area I decided to check them out and never looked back. The facilities are excellent. The planes are very well maintained and always kept clean. It's one of the few flight schools that really care about your training and making sure you get a good understanding of the information. The instructors are very knowledgeable and are willing to go above and beyond to get you the proper training. Whether flying is just a hobby or if you are looking for a career in aviation this is definitely the place to go!!! read more

Reason for going to Century Air- Instrument Rating. From the very beginning when I went to visit the flight school I was suspicious after I had received the normal spiel from the owner. The lecture that he gives every prospective student consists of putting down and talking bad about almost every other flight school. He will ask you how you found out about their flight school, in response to you saying you researched or shopped around, He will hastily respond and say "People treat getting their pilots licence like purchasing a hamburger, I'm not in this for selling burgers." If you do or do not tell him how you were trained he will continue to judge, assume, and criticize that the way you were trained is wrong and inferior to his flight school. The first day i started this Part 131 program I was sold 500 dollars worth of books which I found out were marked up at least 200% of amazon cost. I arrived there and started to learn how to operated a g1000 glass cockpit which was going to be in a c172. The owner informed me that this was what i was going to fly. After studying there all day I was informed though a flight instructor that in fact there was a steam gauge c172 available that I was not informed by the owner this plane was available to me. The difference in price per hour between these two planes was 40 dollars. Anyone that knows about aircraft rental will know that this is very significant. This whole situation gave me the impression that the owner cares more about the size of your wallet. I started this flight school on a Monday and left on a Thursday. Due to the way things evolved where I was treated like someone who had never flown an aircraft. In recently meeting a student pilot and having a conversation which the owner overheard and made an insulting comment saying that I will not be getting close to an airplane because he doesn't know if I even know how to fly an airplane. I was not fairly evaluated as a current Private Pilot and i was embarrassed by the the unprofessional owner. The next day i demanded a refund and luckily received it. Overall I was not satisfied in the service I received at Century Air and I will be "Shopping around for a different hamburger." read more