Just finished up my private pilot license with ACI and can't say enough good things about them!…read more Have received instruction from another local KSNA school, went through multiple instructors who always left as soon as they had enough hours for the airlines, making for a poor learning experience. It's a smaller operation at ACI, but that is a huge selling point. With the 2 other bigger schools at KSNA, you feel just like a number to them. At ACI, you are treated like family, and they care greatly about your success. Jackson, my main instructor, is extremely passionate about aviation and teaches students the skills they need to be a safe and knowledgeable pilot. Very comprehensive in-depth training, rather than just checking boxes in a syllabus. You will be well prepared for your checkride here! The quality of aircraft here is above any other school I've seen, and they are very on top of their maintenance and detailing. Have a nice fleet of Cessna 172S's, both 6-pack and G1000 versions. Have a few beautiful Cirrus SR22's as well. Pricing is right in line for the SoCal area, and I see other places charging the same but with high-time, older airplanes. Will continue to rent from them and enjoy my PPL, and also plan to work on my Instrument Rating with them in the near future.

I will forever be thankful to this school for helping with my training. The instructors genuinely…read moreseemed like they wanted to help you and the owner is always fun to talk to. The aircraft in their fleet are some of the nicest I've seen for a Part 61 school. I would definitely recommend doing your training here if you live in the Southern California area.

This flight school is amazing! The owner takes great care of the operation. The flight instructors…read moreare very knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend Royal Aviation. I have been a customer for 8 years. it is a great place to fly.

I couldn't have chosen a better flight school. Earned my private pilot license here and am…read morecurrently working on my instrument rating. This flight school is seemingly the only one at John Wayne airport that charges reasonable prices for their aircraft and instructors. I pay only $65/hour for instruction and $169/hour for the Cessna 172S I fly, which is equipped with a GPS/moving map, and many other add-ons which come in handy! Similar models go for $210~ at other schools. I pay by the lesson, and have been able to keep the same instructor, Mike, whom I really like. He doesn't charge me for the time it takes to drive to the field, preflight the plane, or debrief. His teaching style is great for me and he's always been calm and nurturing, even when I've performed poorly. I've also worked with Erick and would highly recommend him as well as any other instructor here. If you're looking to learn how to fly, there is no better place to come than Royal Aviation!

I recently joined California Flight Center Reborn and completed my checkout with CFII Marcus…read more Marcus is a knowledgeable, thorough instructor who really emphasizes safety and good decision-making while still keeping the flight comfortable and enjoyable. He's easy to work with, has a great personality, and made the checkout a great experience. The aircraft are well maintained, and the owner was very welcoming and helpful as well. Overall, a great flight school out of Long Beach and definitely one I'd recommend to other pilots.

I switched flight schools in the middle of my instrument training, and finished off my instrument…read morerating at California Flight Center Reborne, and I'm really glad I made the move. My instructor, Nhi was able to quickly get up to speed with where I was in my training, help me finish the remaining requirements for my instrument rating, and schedule my checkride in a timely manner. One of the things I really like about the school is the availability of their aircraft. There are plenty of airplanes to choose from, and booking is very easy through their online scheduling system. I also really appreciate the flexibility of being able to reserve an airplane outside of normal business hours, which makes it easy to go out on night trips. My instructor deserves a special mention as well. Nhi has been knowledgeable, patient, and focused on making sure I actually understand the material rather than just checking boxes to sign off another student. Having an instructor who can help you stay on track and get you ready for checkrides makes a huge difference. Overall, I've had a great experience with California Flight Center Reborne and would recommend it to anyone looking for a flight school or even just a place for general aircraft rentals.

I trained for my Commercial Multi with Instructor David Russell and check rode with Brandon…read moreKuchmecki and passed! The instruction was superb and the facility is top notch. Everyone I talked to and met were super friendly especially the staff. I'm glad I chose them for my multi.

I looked all over the country to find the right flight school to take my multi-engine rating. I had…read morerecently purchased a DA-62 and wanted to complete my rating quickly, but also get great training. I considered going to a standard ME school that was training in a Seneca or other traditional twin. But the pilot I purchased my Diamond from, an Airbus Captain for Delta Airlines, recommended I get type specific training and focused my efforts on a Diamond specific training center. That was GREAT advice! I called Angel City Flyers with my local flight instructor and drilled their Chief Pilot, Cary Jones, with questions about their ME program and syllabus. He impressed my local CFI/MEI and ultimately I scheduled a week to go work on my ME rating with Cary himself. It was awesome. When I first met Cary, I'd say he seemed quiet and reserved. He had a very natural way of teaching -- mostly asking questions -- prodding to find my weak areas in either systems knowledge, aero dynamics, or when flying. Like most single-engine pilots... I'd never shut down an engine in flight... not a great idea in a SE. So I had some nervous anticipation doing that for the first time in the air. But man, Cary is so sharp in the cockpit. After going through a solid ground briefing, and watching him demonstrate in the air, he made it all look easy... probably too easy of course! Anyhow, I had an amazing experience. Knocked out my ME rating fast... learned a ton in the process. The more I picked Cary's brain about emergency procedures and experiences he's had... the more I grew as a pilot. We also had some fun along the way ;) Oh -- and one final note -- training at LONG BEACH is awesome! Busy airspace that helps build your game as a pilot. Consistent cross-winds on 26L/R to help with your confidence on those... and a coastal practice area. For someone who flies in the mountains all the time -- this was epic!

I flew with Craig out of Compton for a CFI spin endorsement and he was awesome about fitting me…read moreinto his schedule on short notice. He sent over ground materials ahead of time so I was able to get the endorsement done in just one flight. The flight itself was a total blast. We did left and right spins plus an aerobatic intro where we ended up pulling over 3.5G. Make sure to bring an SD card for his GoPro so you can save the footage!

CFI Spin Endorsement: I can't say enough good things about CFI Craig Owings. He made this a super…read morefun experience and truly opened my eyes to the ways we are trained to fly planes. He provided so many great resources prior to the actual flight and is a wealth of knowledge and skill. I train out of Sling-Long Beach, very glad I was referred to go fly with Craig!

We went here for my brother's 16th celebration…read more We had an amazing time. His instructor was Blake Phillips and we ended up on the Cessna 172S. The process of ordering the one hour demo package was very easy and straightforward. The website was super easy to navigate, and the staff was always super friendly on the phone. We were asked to arrive 15 minutes early to complete complete paperwork and that process went very smoothly. The only issue that we had was parking but since we got there early, we still got there on time. Blake was an amazing instructor and explained everything very thoroughly as well as interactively. I appreciated that he asked my brother about his interest in plains because he was able to incorporate specific topics that chained to my brother's interest in flight school. He was able to answer all of our questions and never felt like he was rushing. The flight itself was great. Blake made it clear that my brother would be able to actually fly and he would step in as needed. We had a one hour flight in Long Beach, where he explained air, flow manipulation, and aerodynamic very well to an understandable level. He was able to effectively communicate all of the factors that make a plane fly without being overwhelming. The aircraft was well kept, clean, and the views were great. We both throughly felt safe the whole duration of the flight, even with the stronger winds. Once we got back, he provided us resources for my brother in case he wanted to pursue flight school, as well as provided us with the foot footage taken during the flight. All in all, my brother and I loved the experience. The website is easy to navigate, the building itself was clean and easy to find, and Blake was the perfect balance of teaching, safety, and making the most of the package. I highly recommend :) thank you again

I can't say enough great things about Pacific Air Flight School in Long Beach. From my first…read morelesson, the experience has exceeded my expectations. My instructor, Jackie Peterson, is exceptional. She earned her B.S. in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and her knowledge, professionalism, and passion for teaching show in every lesson. She is organized, patient, and thorough. Jackie doesn't just teach you how to fly; she makes sure you understand why you're doing everything, both in the air and during ground instruction. She explains complex concepts clearly and genuinely wants her students to succeed. When I told Jackie my goal was to fly 4-5 days a week so I could earn my private pilot certificate as efficiently as possible, she made it happen. She keeps me on schedule, sends reminders, and has gone out of her way to reserve the Cessna 172 G1000 aircraft for my training whenever possible. That dedication has made a tremendous difference in my progress. I also want to recognize Denise in the front office. She is the backbone of the operation, always friendly, professional, organized, and helpful. Whether I'm calling with a scheduling question or need help with paperwork, Denise handles everything quickly and with a smile. Great customer service like hers makes a huge difference. The entire school is first-class. The aircraft are clean and well maintained, the instructors are knowledgeable and supportive, and the operation is run professionally from top to bottom. Pacific Air is clearly committed to providing a safe, high-quality learning environment. I'm currently working toward my Private Pilot Certificate, and there's no question I'll be staying here for my Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Certificate. Choosing Pacific Air has been one of my best decisions. If you're looking for a flight school that truly invests in your success, I wholeheartedly recommend Pacific Air Flight School, Jackie Peterson, and the entire team. You won't be disappointed, and I can't imagine a better place to train.

I took a discovery flight for research purposes with zero aviation background, and had an amazing…read moretime. My instructor, Kevin, immediately put me at ease about flying in a small aircraft. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and I was definitely in good hands. I also really appreciated working with the office staff. They were professional, helpful, and made scheduling a breeze. I learned a lot and it was an experience I'll never forget.

I went here for my Discovery Flight and it went so smoothly! Everyone was incredibly friendly and…read moreit was such a fun experience overall. Lorenzo was a great flight instructor and this experience influenced me to continue a possible career in aviation.

Getting my Private Pilot License has been one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my life,…read moreand I truly could not have done it without A FIT, Tony, and CFI Chad. Tony made scheduling my training very easy and was highly communicative from the start. From the very first lesson, Chad made me feel comfortable and capable in the cockpit. He has this rare gift of being both patient and demanding at the same time. He never let me settle for "good enough" but always reminded me that I had what it takes to succeed. His calm presence turned nerves into focus, and his step-by-step guidance made every complex skill feel within reach. Chad brought his own unique energy and perspective that kept me motivated throughout the process. He was always there to answer questions, offer encouragement, and share the kind of real-world knowledge that you cannot just get from a textbook. Together, Tony and Chad created an environment that was challenging, supportive, and above all, inspiring. There were moments along the way when I doubted myself, such as weather delays, checkride nerves, and days when nothing seemed to click. Tony and Chad believed in me every step of the way, and that belief made all the difference. Crossing the finish line and earning my license was not just about passing a test. It was about the confidence they helped me build as a pilot and as a person. I will always be grateful for their dedication, professionalism, and genuine care. A FIT is not just a flight school. It is a community that lifts you up, celebrates your milestones, and gives you the tools to reach new heights. If you are dreaming of flying, this is the place, and these are the people who will help you turn that dream into reality. Elena Sakata

I spoke with every student I encountered on AFIT between 2024-2025 and none of them completed the…read morecheckride within 14 days. They either failed or could not get a checkride on the 14th day itself. I stayed back an additional 14 days of PPL training hoping to get a checkride and still no DPE. Avoid AFIT at all cost.