As I read the great reviews below, I decided that this would be a perfect birthday gift for my boyfriend, who loves to watch documentaries and movies related to aeroplanes and flying. And IT WAS A MORE THAN PERFECT GIFT!!! I booked the flying lesson on October for his birthday via groupon and surprised him with this. He was very very delighted.. He's always wanted to get into the cockpit and fly an aeroplane.. and this time he got to fulfill his dream! We showed up at the place, filled out some paperwork, and within minutes, we were off on the flying ground with Pilot Rick, a great pilot with great sense of humor.. Rick explained about the physics behind flying while he unhooked the Cessna and got us ready to jump into it... We took some great pictures,... We enjoyed every moment, esp my boyfriend, he just loved the whole experience. After 15 min ground lesson, we took off and got a great view of the Hayward city, and SF bay area. The pilot did some great flying maneuvers, and it got me screaming with excitement the whole time at the back seat. My boyfriend was just into it, he was actually flying the Cessna by himself (well, with the pilot on his side)!!! It was amazing! He just loved it... After about 30 min, we landed... it was an amazing experience.. My boyfriend couldn't believe he just flew an aeroplane.. He def wants to go back for more sometime later! Thank you Hayward flight for the great experience. Would def recommend to anyone who is flying for the first time, and def a great surprise gift if your sig other loved to fly! :) read more

Rick if u read this, this is your sworn enemy...lol....U know who this is, the other type of flight instructor....I knew what I wanted and got to experience it . I love flying i love all aspects of flying rather its skydiving indoor skydiving in union city 31310 Alvarado-Niles rd. union city, ca. ;) or flying an aircraft.... Rick did an awesome job of explaining things along the way. And he made me look awesome in front of my Girl friend. from take off to landing. It was a great Birthday gift for me to experience. Our flight was at sunset with calm winds and no clouds it worked out so perfect....Rick is what i think a flight instructor should be like laid back and calm like he's doesn't have a worry in the world except getting home to his women. lol .lol. inside joke. if i was a baller and super rich i would have signed up right then and there for my lessons to become a pilot. All in all I'll be back and u can guarantee that. Rick your awesome see u soon from your friend/sworn enemy Chuck (the other flight instructor) read more

I earned my private pilot's license at Hayward Flight and had a good experience learning here. My instructor was Matt Campbell and he is patient , clear, and understanding with his lessons, all of which made it easier to help me understand the material and made feel comfortable flying. Chief instructor Abel was also a big help, he makes sure the pilots he trains are prepared and ready for the checkride. I will say he made me more confident and disciplined when it comes to my flying. Also, the airplanes are maintained well and even though there are only a few, I never had any issues booking one when I needed it. If you are studying to be a pilot, and you study hard, the process is smooth from start to finish. If you are looking for a place to train in the Bay Area, this is a solid choice. :) read more

Hayward Flight is a very serious flight school for very serious students. If you are serious about your aviation career, this is the place to train. I decided on a career change later in life and becoming an airline pilot was a big challenge, but Hayward Flight was very professional and supportive of my training every step of the way. I met with the owner and he took me very seriously from the beginning; he personally tailored a training curriculum that fit my unique individual needs. I was also paired with an instructor that was very dedicated, professional and held me to a very high standard. The training was tough and intense but most of all it was rewarding. Hayward Flight is the flight training facility to come to for students who are serious about their training! read more

I have rented aircraft from Hayward Flight, on numerous occasions over the past 12 years, and feel this flight facility is a true hidden gem in the San Francisco Bay Area. In my experience, the aircraft have always been exceptionally well maintained and immaculate on the inside. I have personally seen the owner and other pilots take an active role in making sure they clean the aircraft after each flight. Additionally, this facility also has flight simulators that help primary and instrument pilot candidates gain valuable experience on flight procedures, etc. I can tell the philosophy of Hayward Flight is directed towards the welfare of the flight student -- and would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to start flight lessons in the San Francisco Bay Area. read more

My boyfriend and I took a bay tour over San Francisco last week with Rick as our instructor- He was great, teaching my guy the basics of flying and letting him take over the controls for the majority of the flight (excluding take-off and landing of course). We had no problem at all, and actually found them very helpful when we tried to book our tour. We called only a week in advance (even though our coupon said to give them two weeks notice!) and they were a great help and very patient as we tried to fit them into a schedule packed with other tours. Definitely a great experience, totally worth the money- If you have a GPS take it when you try to find the office, we would have been lost without ours! read more

Cant Complain, Everything is always clean. Its got all the neccessary equipment I need for my training. The instructor owner Abel is always monitoring the place making sure that students are studying. Some flight schools, you go there you see students just hanging around, but this flight school you have to be doing something or Abel will kick you out..LOL But is fun studying here, you dont get bored there is always interesting things happening. Like we have helicopter pilots close by, airline pilots walking in and out of the building everyday. What more can you ask. The environment is good for studying, and instructor is more than qualified. read more

If you want to be a REAL pilot, Hayward Flight is the place to start and finish. I am very happy and satisfied,that I too learn something,related to aviation both the instructor gives the explanation, regarding the modules was very nice,its very intEresting and easy to understand the concepts from the Instructor"s explanation.and also the total management was perfect in all aspects,.class room facility also good,.again i am saying that i am very happy that i learn something thats too related to aviation.VERY THANK FULL TO THE WHOLE MANAGEMENT AND SPECIAL THANKS TO MY INSTRUCTORS... I will always recommend "Hayward Flight'. read more

My girlfriend has had a dream of doing a flight with a small aircraft. As a birthday gift I therefore bought her a trip with the guys from Hayward Flight. With Rick as our trusted pilot and with perfect weather we took off and had the best day so far in the US! The whole experience was something well worth remembering as we soared above San Francisco, the Golden Gate bridge and indeed the whole Bay Area. My girlfriend was also handed the controls and got to pilot the plane, an experience she thoroughly enjoyed! If you want to take a tour above San Francisco, you can't go wrong with Rick and Hayward flight! read more

I got a groupon discount ticket to go for my first flying lesson to Hayward Flight. I didn't have any trouble at all, finding this place. I had been waiting about 30 years to take lessons. (this is not a "bucket list item), it is something I have been dreaming about for a long time. So here I go. Rick Cascelli was my instructor and he is a really great instructor. Very thorough and informative. He loves flying himself and it shows. He is very positive about teaching someone to learn to fly. I can't wait to go back. I also want to take the tour around San Francisco. read more

After reading the reviews I felt I had to try Hayward Flight myself, I called and scheduled a consultation which is free btw. The staff are very accommodating and I was able to get me the information I needed. I did sign up and am currently taking on my PPL. The sim is actually very helpful, I called around to other schools and found that they don't have sims or they are very expensive. I would definitely recommend this school for first time flyers like myself. read more

Unbelievable experience!! I was really upset that my camera was not charged last minute to take all the pics from above! Well anyways, i purchased a flying lesson for my mom for an hour and i asked the pilot if we could do flying over San Francisco...YES!! He was knowledgeable and great from start to finish, and my mother said the flying the whole aircraft flying and sitting in the cokpit was just amazing! Hopefully my mom decides to get her license..lol! read more

We bought a Groupon for a flight lesson for my husband. I loved that I got to go along for the ride! My husband has always had an interest in flying and he absolutely LOVED the experience at Hayward. The instructor did a great job teaching him and we were up in the air before we knew it! My husband day dreams now about becoming a real pilot. Can't think of a thing I would have changed! read more

Hayward Flight fácility uses up-to-date pilot material , simulators, and software for all levels! Got me through quickly, receiving fast and disciplined training for private pilot and ground instructor certification. Instructors here are very caring and provide top notch service at reasonable affordable rates. Thank you so much Mr Cavalie and Mr Cascelli! read more

Feel free to sign up with a flight tour with this company if you're not worried about the pilot showing up 40 minutes late and hungover, to an empty office building with an expired business license hanging on the wall. Glad that we could get our money back at least before we trusted the sketchiest crew that I've ever seen to launch us above San Francisco read more

Rick took me up today after flight simulation, i was totally blown away with the ease of flying the lil two seater cessena. Rich was very informative and asked me question to get me thinking. I always wanted to fly being a world war two airplane Buff. Rick has convinced me today to take flying lessons at Hayward flight! read more

(1) I used Abe as a BFR CFI several times. He is extremely thorough. He was more rigorous and experienced with testing emergency procedures then any other CFI in my 40 years as a pilot. These BFR's made me feel much safer and better prepared for the unknown. Hayward flight is an excellent organization in all regards. read more

I went on a Bay Tour with Rick and it was so much fun. He was really friendly and made me feel really comfortable. Got to see the city the best way possible, and everything was done so easy I didn't have to worry about a thing! I will be recommending Hayward Flight to everyone. read more

I was there for San Francisco sight seeing Cessna aircraft flight it was amazing. We saw beautiful scene from the sky .we had amazing pilot Mr Rick he was so friendly helpful and very knowledgeable pilot I mean old is gold.i highly recommended Hayward flight. read more