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Essence Flight Academy

4.8 (68 reviews)
Open • 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Essence Flight Academy Photos

Recommended Reviews - Essence Flight Academy

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Reviews With Photos

Nia D.

Just did my first discover flight and had an amazing experience. Kayla was an amazing instructor and made sure to keep me informed of everything and made sure I was comfortable throughout my flight. I got to fly the plane and saw some incredible views of LA & Malibu. Learned a lot and will definitely come back here for another discover flight or even lessons. Great customer service and everything was well organized. Thanks for making my birthday special Kayla & team!

Jiyon H.

I can't recommend Essence Flight School enough! The staff is awesome, and the whole vibe is just really positive and cool. Huge shoutout to Anthony, our flight instructor, he's the best! Super knowledgeable, and explains everything in a way that actually makes sense. You can tell he genuinely cares about teaching and loves flying. If you've ever thought about learning to fly or just go up for a day, checkout Essence Flight School and Anthony made the whole experience fantastic.

Kev G.

I took my discovery flight at essence academy. By far the best flying experience I've had. Alexis was my flight instructor and he made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process. Answered all my questions and pretty self explanatory as far as the process I want to take. As a woman I love seeing women in the field of flying and that's exactly what essence has 10/10 experiences

Arthur C.

Took my boyfriend here for his birthday , it was great. We did the luxury discovery flight and the view was beautiful.

Cessa 162
Talita A.

Best flight school in town! Very knowledgeable team and I'd like thank Alex the owner, Sophia and my CFI Anthony for being part of my journey providing the best experience one could have

Flight over LA
Solae O.

Great experience 10/10 recommend i would recommend flying during the sunset it was so amazing

Shelly C.

This was the most incredible experience. My son has talked about wanting to fly a plane and he was able to fly by himself, at 9 years old. This was an experience we will never forget and will definitely do it again!!!!!

This is such a great idea for a gift !! I purchased an experience for my husband and it was the best !!! He can't stop talking about it!
Crystal S.

This is such a great idea for a gift !! I purchased an experience for my husband and it was the best !!! He can't stop talking about it!

Amazing experience!! Alexis was one of those instructors you can fully trust. Which gave me the confidence to take control of a plane for the very first time. 10/10 must fly with Essence.

Plane human

I enrolled as student at Essence Flight School in July, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. I got my Private Pilot License here, and I'm now working on my Instrument Rating. My first instructor for my ppl , Joseph, was absolutely amazing. He's patient, knowledgeable, and a really great teacher who made every lesson easy, safe, and enjoyable. I couldn't have asked for a better instructor to guide me through the ppl course. Now, I'm training with Francis for my instrument rating, and I'm just as impressed. He's incredibly supportive, and always makes sure I understand every detail before moving on to next lesson His teaching style gives me a lot of confidence as I continue my lessons! I have been flying the Cessna and now the Piper Arrow! Their scheduling has been always amazing, soofia always accommodated to my schedule times and made sure i get as many as lessons possible! I definitely recommend Essence Flight School to anyone who is interested to get their license!!!!

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Reviews are largely positive. Many highlight knowledgeable instructors, memorable discovery flights, and professional and welcoming staff.

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4 months ago

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5 months ago

Great scenic discovery flight with Kayla, thanks for the warm welcome and introduction to getting my PPL

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

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4 months ago

I had the best first time flying experience, was scared but felt so safe. Highly recommend!

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6 months ago

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11 months ago

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9 months ago

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6 months ago

Amazing experience! Ralph was kind and incredibly informative when asked questions. I felt comfortable and safe during my trip

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11 months ago

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9 months ago

Super fun experience! Will be taking private pilot course. Super cool to be in the plane above all famous spots of LA

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

Joseph was an awesome instructor! Beautiful day to fly. I'll definitely be doing this again

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6 months ago

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9 months ago

Pilot was amazing! This was my anniversary gift and for my boyfriend's first time, we had a blast!

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7 months ago

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

The office is well equipped. Instructors are nice and professional. My son joined the teen program and he loves it.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

Amazing experience, super nice staff and instructor. Very informative and fun, would recommend 10/10.

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11 months ago

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Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Essence Flight Academy

Review Highlights - Essence Flight Academy

“Alex is very knowledgeable and made a previously confusing process to a informative and exciting journey.”

Mentioned in 20 reviews

Read more highlights

LA Flight Academy

LA Flight Academy

4.8(42 reviews)
0.2 mi•Van Nuys
Certified professionals
Locally owned & operated

I'm currently training at LA Flight Academy, and it has been an incredible experience. The training…read moreand aircraft are excellent, but what really makes this school special is the people. From the owner and management to the instructors and every staff member, everyone is welcoming, helpful, and truly cares about the students. You can feel that there's a genuine sense of community here. It's a place where I always feel comfortable, supported, and excited to keep learning. I highly recommend LA Flight Academy to anyone pursuing their aviation dreams.

I'm incredibly grateful to LA Flight Academy and especially to Anthony, the owner. When I was…read moreresearching flight schools in the area, he was the only one who took the time to answer my questions immediately and honestly. While others felt focused on selling, Anthony felt focused on peopleand that made all the difference. During my Private Pilot License training, I genuinely had the best experience. As a queer pilot, I felt fully embraced, respected, and supported by everyone at the school. That kind of environment matters more than people realize, and LA Flight Academy delivers it effortlessly. Mason, my CFI, has an incredible way of connecting with studentsclear, patient, and motivating. Sean Haughey is also outstanding, both in ground instruction and in the air. You can tell they truly care about teaching, safety, and your growth as a pilot. The level of professionalism, security, and safety at this school is incomparable. I couldn't be more thankful to have landed here. Thank you again for an amazing semi-accelerated PPL experience. I'm excited to continue all my ratings and commercial training with you.

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LA Flight Academy
LA Flight Academy
LA Flight Academy

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One Source Aviation - Future pilot here.

One Source Aviation

5.0(11 reviews)
0.0 mi•Van Nuys

Taking my son to One Source Aviation Flight School at Van Nuys Airport for an introductory flight…read moreturned out to be one of the most memorable days we've had together. The facility itself is impressive. Located right on Stagg St in Hangar X1, there is plenty of parking and once you're inside you're greeted by a hangar filled with lots of different aircraft. It has an intimate feel but don't let the size fool you, the fleet of planes and the quality of instruction here are the real deal. Our instructor Ibrahim was nothing short of outstanding. His calm demeanor from the moment we met him instantly put us both at ease, and once we were in the air his knowledge was immaculate. He has a natural ability to explain everything clearly without ever making you feel overwhelmed or out of your depth. Detail oriented and genuinely passionate about what he does, Ibrahim is exactly the kind of instructor you want next to you when you're experiencing flight for the first time. Whether we were cruising over the Valley or banking toward Hollywood, he was composed, informative, and made the whole experience feel effortless. We took off from Van Nuys and flew all over the San Fernando Valley, over Hollywood, out toward Santa Monica, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. The moment my son got up in the air he was sold. That smile never left his face for the entire flight, and honestly it never left mine either. It was one of those moments as a parent you just don't forget. Owner Alex was welcoming and professional, and after such an incredible experience signing my son up for his Private Pilot License program was an easy decision. The whole process was smooth and straightforward. If you or someone you know has ever had even a passing interest in learning to fly, One Source Aviation is the place to start. Ask for Ibrahim, you will not be disappointed. We left that day with my son one step closer to his dream of becoming a pilot, and I cannot recommend this place highly enough.

If you are curious about flying, I think the perfect place to start is here at One Source. We were…read moreactually recommended to go here by a friend who had a son go through their training program and is now a fully licensed pilot. The location is professional with ample easy parking. The large hanger has multiple planes that students can choose from. It is super cool to walk around in if you haven't been around any aircraft, like me! The folks there were so nice and patient with us and answered all our questions which gave us peace of mind, knowing that our child would be in good hands up in the air. We are really pleased with our instructor, Zach, who is just amazing. My daughter loves being taught by him because he is easy-going and very thorough & patient with his teaching. He is extremely knowledgeable and it seems like he eats breathes and dreams all things aviation. If we have any questions in regards to flying, he has all the answers. We are really excited for our daughter as she progresses through her aviation journey and can't wait until she reaches her goal of getting her pilot's license. Rumor is, One Source is actually the best flight school there is at Van Nuys Airport so we are happy we made the right decision by coming here.

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One Source Aviation
One Source Aviation
One Source Aviation

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The Flight Academy - Great to discover this place!!

The Flight Academy

4.5(25 reviews)
0.1 mi•Van Nuys

This was my first time ever being in a small prop plane like this, let alone flying one. An AirBnB…read moreExperience called "Fly an Airplane over LA" popped up and caught my interest, and I'm glad I checked it out. It was a great one-hour experience that was part sight-seeing flight, part introductory flight lesson. Nirvan at The Flight Academy was my copilot/instructor, and did a great job explaining everything and guiding me through the controls and the process. It didn't actually take long to feel pretty comfortable with controlling the yoke to ascend, descend, and bank/turn. The weather was great and the whole thing felt very safe and comfortable. Highly recommended!

English is my second language and it was difficult for me to understand, I had to repeat it and…read moreexplain it more slowly. The teacher didn't pay attention to me at all. I asked for help explaining how to use the application they sent and where to open the information for study that they sent me. I thought I had passed all the tests and didn't know what else was there. As a result, I was accused of not coping with the task. I immediately felt that she hated me. she said that I needed to wear a wedding ring, because because of my attractive appearance, I could lose my job. then she got drunk when we opened wine and champagne and brought alcohol to training in the pool. when I needed to clarify something or repeat it, she brushed me off and ignored me. she put on a show in class and lifted her legs above her head, showing off her incredible gymnastic abilities. She probably didn't like me because I didn't express any obvious ADMIRATION for her tricks and old-fashioned ways of sculpting roses from sausage and avocado. I didn't clap my hands or smile wide enough to satisfy her ego like everyone else did. Then they inflated a rescue slide at school and she screamed at the student to jump on it. the unfortunate student fell down! BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T INFLATE ENOUGH AIR!!!! THE TEACHER PRETENDED THAT NOTHING HAPPENED! It's good that there were mattresses on the ground for insurance. she herself did not jump first. after that I was afraid to jump, and asked if I could just sit down and slid down. SHE MADE me JUMP. then on a video in class they also showed emergency evacuation training. NO ONE JUMPED!! all the people sat down and moved slid down!!!! at the end the school principal talked to me AND EATED!!!! HE DID NOT STOP CHEWING WHILE TALKING! it was disgusting... I did not expect such discrimination in America. this is a paid school and I expected support and assistance in studying I decided to go to another school, which I didn't regret.... thank you for your attention )

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The Flight Academy
The Flight Academy - What you get to fly!

What you get to fly!

The Flight Academy - At the Van Nuys airport

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At the Van Nuys airport

Ascent Aviation Academy - Solo Cross Country Flying

Ascent Aviation Academy

4.6(10 reviews)
1.2 mi•Van Nuys

This is the essence of a great training school -- not fancy but in the zone. Seth is totally…read moretransparent about fees and sets us students up for success. They have a large fleet and great group of instructors.. It can be busy so you better book your planes and instruction in advance but the instructors here are all excellent. They really care about learning and helping me along what's a long and complex learning journey. They have the best safety records and a near perfect PPL pass rate Too. Although I haven't attended another school as a student pilot I did a lot of research and visited other places. The big advantage of having the fueling system they do saves so much time and money compared to others.

***UPDATE 7/2/2024***…read more Whatever you do, without a doubt, do not go to Ascent Flight Academy!!! STAY AWAY! This place will rob you blind and not prepare you for any checkride at all. I was sent to a checkride without being properly endorsed for it and was made a fool when I arrived to my checkride. I was told over and over again that I was ready when in fact I was not even close to being ready. As a student, we put our trust and faith into the CFI, and to see that they don't take care you of you is insane. Not to mention their planes are absolute trash, barely taken care of, parts missing or broken, Jerry rigged and improperly calibrated. It's just a matter of time before there's an accident. Seth, the owner is horrible. He only cares about you when you are lining his pockets with money. DO NOT BUY THE TIME BLOCKS. If for some reason you have extra money left over, you will not get a refund. Make sure you turn off "auto renew" on your account so they don't automatically charge you. Leave that place as soon as your account drops to zero and never look back.

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Ascent Aviation Academy
Ascent Aviation Academy - First solo!!

First solo!!

Ascent Aviation Academy

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ActivePILOT - CFI Roman and happy soloing guy!

ActivePILOT

4.6(17 reviews)
0.2 mi•Van Nuys

I cannot say enough great things about ACTIVE Pilot! Before coming here, I felt lost at my previous…read moreflight school and wasn't making the progress I had hoped for. Since switching to ACTIVE Pilot, my experience has completely changed. I've become a much more confident, knowledgeable, and capable pilot, and I'm finally seeing real progress toward earning my private pilot license! One thing that really stands out to me is the quality and condition of their aircraft. Coming from a flight school where the planes weren't always maintained as well as I would have liked, it has been such a relief to fly at ACTIVE Pilot. Their aircraft are consistently clean, well-maintained, and clearly taken care of. It gives me so much more confidence knowing I'm training in aircraft that are treated with such care. The difference between my previous school and ACTIVE Pilot has truly been night and day! I especially want to thank Jean, the office manager, for being so welcoming, helpful, and supportive throughout my experience. I also want to give a huge thank you to my instructor, Devin, for his patience, dedication, and commitment to helping me become a better pilot. He has helped me build my confidence and truly understand what it takes to be a safe and successful pilot. I'm beyond grateful for the entire ACTIVE Pilot team. They have made such a positive impact on my aviation journey, and I couldn't be happier with my decision to switch schools. If you're looking for a flight school with well-maintained aircraft, excellent instructors, and a team that genuinely cares about your success, I highly recommend ACTIVE Pilot! I only wish I had found them sooner. Five stars all the way!

I got my PPL through Active Pilot and now working on my instrument rating. The facilities are…read moregreat, makes it really easy to plan and debrief flights with your instructor as well as spaces to study. The instructors are all great as well I've trained with a few of them, but wanted to give a shoutout to my instructor Joe! The planes are all very clean inside and out and well maintained. They're washed every week and if there are any squawks placed they'd handled pretty much immediately. Prices are reasonable for Van Nuys and would definitely recommend if you're looking to fly.

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ActivePILOT
ActivePILOT
ActivePILOT - Dual Cross Country planning with CFI Gian Caterina and student pilot Annabelle Garcia.

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Dual Cross Country planning with CFI Gian Caterina and student pilot Annabelle Garcia.

UEI College - Reseda - Dental Assistant classroom and lab.

UEI College - Reseda

3.9(40 reviews)
1.7 mi•Lake Balboa

If it wasn't for Sandra Bojorquez I wouldn't know what to do. She made the enrollment process very…read moreeasy. She explained the course well and showed me around the campus ensuring me that I'm in good hands. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have attended.

This school was extremely disappointing and, in my experience, unprofessional…read more I graduated from UEI Reseda almost a year ago after completing my externship in December. I graduated with good grades, a high GPA, and as a Medical Assistant student ambassador. One of my biggest concerns is that admissions does not clearly explain that completing the program does not make you a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). You receive a diploma, but you still have to take and pay for a separate certification exam. I feel this should be made much clearer before students enroll. The lab experience was also disappointing. Many necessary supplies were out of stock, unavailable, or broken, which limited our hands-on training. I knew before enrolling that I wanted to eventually work in pediatrics because I enjoy working with children, yet we weren't even shown how to properly weigh/measure pediatric patients or administer pediatric injections. My biggest issue, however, was Career Services. My assigned representative, Markia, told me, "It's not about what you're comfortable with. It's time for you to put your big girl panties on" when I explained that I was uncomfortable being placed at a primary care clinic for my first job and wanted to find a more specialized setting. I was shocked and didn't know how to respond. Interviews were also scheduled without asking what times worked for me. I was sent to Encino, taking two buses, only to find out upon arrival that the position was for a traveling Medical Assistant. I was then scheduled at another clinic for 8 AM, only to arrive and discover the clinic wasn't even open yet. When I was upset and crying while explaining this to Career Services, I felt there was very little empathy or support. During my externship, I also felt I wasn't learning enough because much of my time involved front-desk duties rather than hands-on back-office Medical Assistant work. When I asked about finding another site, Markia told me, "Now you want to travel? Last time the issue was that you didn't want to travel." My issue had always been my transportation limitations, not that I refused to travel. The financial aspect makes this experience even more frustrating. I personally paid a little over $13,000 out of pocket, which I paid off in less than a year after completing the program. Based on my experience with my payments, interest was charged daily. After spending over $13,000, I attempted two different Medical Assistant jobs over approximately nine months and ultimately decided not to pursue the field. I understand that students need to be flexible and step outside their comfort zones, but students also deserve clear information, adequate hands-on training, respectful communication, and genuine career support. I strongly recommend researching the program carefully, including the certification requirements, additional costs, hands-on training, externship placement, and Career Services, before enrolling.

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UEI College - Reseda - Dental Assistant students performing tasks.

Dental Assistant students performing tasks.

UEI College - Reseda - Medical Assistant students performing tasks on each other.

Medical Assistant students performing tasks on each other.

UEI College - Reseda - Pharmacy Technician lab.

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Pharmacy Technician lab.

Essence Flight Academy - flightinstruction - Updated October 2026

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