I relocated from the Bay Area to Riverside during my PPL training due to an Air Force PCS to March ARB. I chose this school for convenience and because they advertised Piper Archers, which I had been flying, but upon arrival I was told they had sold them, so I transitioned to their Cessnas. After about 15 to 20 hours, I was becoming comfortable in the new aircraft. During a short field landing, I applied firm braking as part of the maneuver. On a hot day, the left main tire failed. I took responsibility and agreed to cover the cost of the tire replacement. I was then charged $300, while a document at their front desk clearly listed Tire and Labor as $222. When I raised the discrepancy, I was told over the phone the difference would be refunded. About a week later, I received an email stating the refund would not be issued and that the form had been rectified to match the higher price. Because of this incident, I was told I was not a good fit for the school and was advised to train elsewhere. Flight training is already a significant financial commitment, and situations like this make cost transparency even more important. The issue here is not the tire, it is the inconsistent pricing and reversal after acknowledging the discrepancy. Being shown one price and charged another, then having it changed after the fact, is not a good standard for a training environment. I would strongly recommend prospective students get all pricing and policies clearly in writing before committing, or consider training elsewhere. read more

Riverside Flight Academy - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

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Making the appointment was easy and flexible given we went on Valentines. Waiting for our instructor upon check in gave us enough time to look around the room without feeling like we're waiting too long. Our instructor was great, I felt safe as I learned and he wasn't hesitant to any answer. He allowed me most of the flight to control minus part of the landing which I was ok with and it opened my eyes to the amount of multitasking a focus that's needed during flight. Before I left, he walked me through everything I need to kick off if I'd like to continue with schooling. 10/10 read more

Riverside Flight Academy - Door for the academy - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

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I had the pleasure of flying with James, He was an amazing CFI and made me feel so comfortable getting into the pilots seat of an aircraft for the first time ever. Truly an amazing experience with a very knowledgeable person. Everyone that day added to the amazing experience. If you are looking to dip your toes into aviation this is the place to do it. read more

This is the second time I've been on a discovery flight, only this time my girlfri....fiancè flew. I say that because I proposed right after the flight. They were more than helpful and our pilot Michael was superb. He went above and beyond to make it special. The views were amazing! I highly recommend this place for your next flight or lesson read more

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Amazing flight school! The instructors are all very well versed in aviation and nice and understanding. Definitely recommend to anyone looking to get their license! read more

I've been a private pilot student at Riverside Flight Academy for a few weeks now and to say I feel lucky is an understatement. To start, the staff at RFA is always friendly and welcoming. They work hard to keep the planes in order and ready for the next flight. Their administration is seamless; I never have issues with scheduling or payment processing. Learning to fly is already stressful so I really appreciate knowing the logistics aspect is well-managed. My instructor, Jesse, is a master at his craft. From the beginning Jesse curated an environment of professionalism and safety. Every time I'm behind the controls with him, I know I'm in good hands. He changes his instructing technique to ensure that it fits your needs and you are sure to get the most out of each lesson. Jesse has a way of understanding what you need before you as a student even know, and will adjust to your learning style with ease. He is encouraging and patient during your most frustrating moments, but is also one of your biggest fans throughout your training milestones. As for the other instructors, I cannot speak as a student, but I can say that listening to them debrief with their students is always informative. They are all personable, knowledgeable and I would be lucky to fly with any of them as well. Whether you're looking for a discovery flight, just a fun time or thinking about starting a career as a pilot, I'm sure RFA has you covered. read more

To say it was better than I thought, my instructor was Jessie! He was extremely knowledgeable and professional. The entire staff was great. This was my introduction to see if I want to be a pilot and I had some nerves and the team made it easy to learn and understand. When I am ready I will return to get my certification. We flew for about 30-45 min after on the ground simulator training and some discussion. After the flight we had a debriefing and Jessie explained how to become a pilot with no pressure sales. Gave me the info at the end which made the experience more amazing as there was no hard pitch...The team is truly professional and understanding. I would HIGHLY recommend Riverside Flight Academy and go try your first flight and request JESSIE. read more

Riverside Flight Academy - Boarding Flight 1 - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

Johan took my son for a flight, he was extremely knowledgeable , kind, patient, and made my son feel comfortable. He was encouraging as well, which my so. Needed! Everyone at the academy was professional and helpful! Thank you! read more

Riverside Flight Academy - Time for the flight! - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

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I did my AMEL Comm Add-On here and I had a great experience. Their Tecnam P2006T is a nice aircraft and they keep it in fully capable conditions, personally I loved flying it. The owner, staff, and instructors are all super friendly and invested in you succeeding throughout the whole process. Their website is a great place to start and the staff will make sure you are prepped and ready for your check. I also appreciated how reasonable the cost was compared to many other schools and without any loss of quality. Anyone looking to learn to fly will enjoy themselves at RFA and I highly recommend them. They even have test flights for you to go up with an instructor just to see how you like flying if you've never done it before. read more

After reading all of the awesome reviews, I purchased these flight passes as a Christmas present for the kids in our family. Today we finally put them to use. We were given the option for the boys to go up separate or together. We opted for them to go up together so they could snap pictures of each other, in flight. This is an experience that is well worth the money. If you're on the fence, do it. You won't regret it. read more

Riverside Flight Academy - The boys before going up with their instructor, Tiphanie - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

My partner and I recently took flight lessons in separate planes. We both had a great time but after comparing notes, we noticed our instructors were quite different in not only teaching techniques but itineraries. My partner got to do a lot more, she got to taxi, take off as well as fly. I didn't get to taxi or take off. I flew a bit and then got sick when the instructor took over for a bit while I took pictures (shouldn't have done that). Overall, it was a great experience and i hope to do it again, but I'll request the instructor my partner had or try a different school. Coming from a teaching background, I think my instructor just needed a few more years under her belt and to realize that people who sign up for a first flight only want an experience and not to be worried about "looking for planes" (though I know it is important safety wise). I also think I got a bit nervous because my instructor had done a preflight check of the plane for some time and then two other people went to look at the plane as well. I'm sure the plane was fine, but it did make me nervous. The nerves didn't help my stomach. Perhaps the other instructor will calm my nerves next time. I'm rating this as an average experience because I didn't get to have the full experience with the taxi and take-off. read more

I flew a Cessna when I was younger in another city. I loved it then. I had an itch to try it again. I came here to riverside and flew again. This time I flew in a Piper. The pilot, the plane, the area I flew over, was all great. I probably should've been a pilot. I still love it, but life unexpected happens. I recommend this place. Pilots are friendly and very knowledgeable. read more

Got a discovery flight certificate for my fiancé as a Christmas gift and she LOVED it ! I rode passenger for her flight and Joe was her instructor ! Was an awesome experience flying over Lake Matthews and the 91. How amazing to get a view of Riverside from this view ! Joe was a great instructor. My fiancé was nervous but he was such a relaxed and collected person that she felt so comfortable the entire way ! Even was nice enough to allow a go pro to be mounted so we can take videos of the whole experience :) would absolutely recommend to anyone !! read more

Riverside Flight Academy - My fiancé doing a discovery flight ! - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

Took my first lesson yesterday with Jo. Older aircraft, but it was fun and very informative! Bumpy as predicted... Got to work with the controls, saw some pretty good sights and an interesting landing as the wind wasn't cooperating. The flight simulator was interesting and mirrored fairly close to the performance of the aircraft, with some minor differences, as you'd expect. I guess I'm starting my training at the hottest time of the year... Yay! Lol. But, it'll make me appreciate the cooler times later. Thanks for the experience as I move forward, John read more

This is one of the best flight schools around! I did some looking around and I went with RFA because the discovery flight taught me so much and showed the most thoroughness. It felt like I had already started. Currently a student here, and my instructor Jesse is absolutely incredible. He is thorough and possesses every talent of a great mentor. The scheduling is flexible and allows me to take my lessons while working. I look forward to getting my certifications here and learning to fly with them. You guys rock! read more

7/26/19- I purchased this Discovery flight lesson on Groupon . As soon as I purchased the voucher online I went ahead and booked my Adventure. I warm greeted by Hayley their office manager and my Pilot Joe. He went over a few things in the sims (ground school) then the safety check list for the flight . Then we were buckled in & ready for take off once he got the " ok" from air controller . To be honest , I didn't know what to expect . All I know was this was on my Bucket list.. to do . After take off Joe went over everything about steering the plane and what all those buttons & knobs etc how to operate the plane . Once we flew by Lake Matthews he left me fly the plane with his supervision . This was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever experienced in my life !! My instructor Pilot Joe was beyond patient with me and very informative and discussed his experiences on how much he enjoyed flying in addition to teaching ppl. Such as myself about following your passion in life whether it is to become a pilot or if you are considering taking lessons . I believe that flying is much safer than driving a car imo !! This entire experience at RFA with my first pilot lessons was beyond incredible! After our session Pilot Joe went over some of their packages they offer if you are interested in learning how to become a pilot . They offer so many different packages no matter what budget you have . Overall , everything exceeded my expectations. I had the best experience here along with most amazing staff ! Shout out to Pilot Joe !! You are cooler than cool bro !! I am looking forward into coming back for more lessons! This is a great place to come live out your dreams of flying a plane the staff at RFA are extremely nice and exude professionalism and everyone is just super nice ! I came their happy and left even more ecstatic because I checked off something off my bucket list ! read more

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Great flight school. Amazing people! Easy to work with and very affordable. Would highly recommend

These guys were great. My girl friend booked a flight lesson and they managed to fit me in as well at a great rate. Pre-flight: The instructor took us up in the flight simulator, spending at least 20 minutes a piece. After we were done he took us around the plane to explain the different parts from the ailerons, rudders to the yoke. Flight: He took us both up allowing us to flight and showing how over-compensation worked. He loved hearing the endless questions we both had. The instructor was very detailed, explaining how the flight's controls and mechanisms work together. My GF demonstrated she knew what she was doing while flying and he took time to let her descend and land, telling her all sorts of tips. I only had one flight under my belt, he didn't let me land (which is completely fine) but he gave me some great points on how to improve my steering of the plane and how the controls worked to find your heading. Post Flight: After landing the owner spoke to us and asked up how our flight was. Everyone really wanted input and cared how we were being treated. They knew we were not from the area and used a groupon, but they were equally concerned which shows the sign of a great business. If your in the area, I would highly recommend checking this place out. We did a couple's get-a-away based around this experience staying at a local hotel. It was a great weekend excursion. I believe it is $120 for the simulator and flight (combined). read more

Riverside Flight Academy - Had a great time.....they were very accomodating and nice - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

I've always been a fan of flying, having played many different flight-sims; but I've never actually flown a real plane! However, I've been saving up to get my private pilot's license for a while now, and I just recently saw that Living Social had a nice deal for a discovery flight here at Riverside Flight Academy. I bought it, without hesitation, after seeing the great reviews here on Yelp, and I couldn't be happier! In fact, I had such a great experience, today, that this is the very first review I'm adding to yelp! =D Sam was my instructor, who started off by putting me on the simulator. He told me that I had one of the better sim flights that he'd seen (top 3, he said)... I guess my flight sim experiences paid off! That said, I was really feeling those nervous & excited butterflies as we headed outside to the plane. This was going to be my very first time actually flying in a real plane! Sam was an amazing instructor; very calm and friendly! After the initial walk-around of the plane, Sam let me taxi to the run way; I got to take off, and we were in the air for a good 30 mins before approaching the airfield for the landing. Of course, Sam was right there, doing what he needed to do, to make sure we didn't die on the landing (hahaha)... but it really felt like he gave me a lot of control during all aspects of the flight (even the landing!) It was so amazing! As I said above, I couldn't be happier with my experience. I highly recommend this place! And the experience really solidified my dream to go after my pilot's license. I'm planning on starting the official training within the month! Thanks Riverside Flight Academy; and thank you, Sam! It was a blast. Can't wait to fly with you again! read more

Riverside Flight Academy - Discovery Flight (02/19/2015) - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

I originally booked a flight with Riverside Flight School to surprise my wife for Valentine's Day. She was super excited, but on the morning of our scheduled flight, the flight instructor gave me a call to inform me that while it was still "safe" to fly, visibility was pretty low, which would result in a less favorable experience. As such, he recommended that I reschedule for another day, in hopes of having better weather. Boy was I surprised that Riverside Flight School would miss out on business by discouraging their clients from flying! This just goes to show that they have their clients' best interests in mind, rather than trying to make a quick buck. Later in the year, I took my wife to Riverside Flight School for her 30th birthday. I signed her up for the "discovery" flight, which includes 15 minutes of ground instruction (learning about the plane's external features and how they keep the plane in the air), 30 minutes in a flight simulator, and 30 minutes of flight time with an instructor. My wife tends to be pretty adventurous, while I'm the complete opposite. I have a fear of heights, and can't stand roller coasters. I do OK as a passenger on a commercial airplane, but still have a fear of flying. When my wife mentioned that she would like to learn how to fly, I was thinking there was no way in the world I would get in that plane with her! When I called Riverside Flight School, Dave was extremely helpful and friendly. He informed me that there were two different discovery flight options - one with the flight simulator, and one without the flight simulator (roughly $50 cheaper). Dave explained to me that the flight simulator was recommended for anyone that hasn't flown a plane before, as it gets your body and mind prepared for what you're going to experience while in the actual plane. My wife wasn't worried and wanted to skip out on the flight simulator. Since I was going to be a passenger however, I really wanted to experience the flight simulator. Since the flight simulator only has enough room for two people (instructor and student), Dave was kind enough to allow me to do the flight simulator, as my wife would be flying the plane. Let me just say that the flight simulator was awesome! It really made me feel like I was flying a plane, complete with motion and all! Dave showed me how to take off, land, and navigate the simulated plane, and pointed out the Ontario airport and other landmarks on the simulator's computer screens. It felt so real, I was afraid to crash the simulator! :) This really helped me feel more comfortable about getting into the real plane (Cessna Skycatcher) with my wife. Our flight instructor was Kim, and she was fantastic! The flight included amazing views of La Sierra University, Lake Matthews, Dos Lagos, and even Lake Elisinore! I was in the back seat of the plane like paparazzi snapping all kinds of photos of the breathtaking views and of my wife having the time of her life! After the flight she admitted she was a little scared, to which I told her she should've done the flight simulator! Upon landing, it was time to pay for our adventure. Apparently we had just missed a Groupon special that expired, but Dave went ahead and honored the Groupon pricing for us, which saved approximately $80!!! I am so pleased with my experience at Riverside Flight School that I have recommended it to several of my friends, and will definitely be going back to fly again! read more

Riverside Flight Academy - My wife and me after an amazing flight! - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

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This place is awesome!!! Johan was my instructor & he rocks! I've been in small plane a few times before, so I had an idea of what to expect. However, this was my first experience with a flight simulator. That was very cool! It helped me to get familiarize myself with the controls (mainly the pedals) and get an idea of how everything looks when flying from the front seat of the plane (instead of observing from the back seat). After the flight simulator training, Johan walked me around the plane & pointed out all of the main parts. After that, we jumped in the place & went for a ride with great views of Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake. Not to toot my own horn, but I did pretty well for my first time as a pilot. After my first training session, I'm convinced that I should become a pilot (in this lifetime)! LOL Take a few lessons with Johan if you get a chance. It's a wonderful experience! :-) read more

I decided to surprise my son with a discovery flight for his birthday and it was a great experience. He loved it and even decided to proceed with his pilot license. The gentleman who flew with him was kind and professional. The facilities were clean, and organized. They had a comfy waiting area why he went on his flight. read more

Got an 1 hour flight lesson for my boyfriend and was a passenger on the plane. Dan was our instructor and I can't recommend him enough. He was amazing! He was super thorough in explaining the engineering of the Cessna. He answered every small question patiently and we could clearly see his love for aviation. During the flight he pointed us to interesting views and the entire flight experience was very smooth. This is my first flight experience but I'm excited to have more with Riverside flight academy. If you're thinking about buying this as a gift for a loved one, I would highly recommend it. read more

This is my very first review on yelp because I just felt like my experience was THAT amazing. This is such a great place to dip your toes in the aviation field! Personally, I have always been a fan of airplanes and always dreamed of flying. At Riverside Flight Academy, they let me fly an airplane the same day! The staff is very friendly:) I will definitely be coming back to get my pilot's license! Thank you for this experience. read more

Riverside Flight Academy - First flight :) - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

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I've been into airplanes since I was a little kid. I bought a first lesson on the website and went in today. It was a great and seamless experience from start to finish. Today's flight was actually my first ride in an airplane but the view you get up in the air is amazing! I was definitely a bit nervous but the entire experience was well worth the price. The instructor was very nice, patient, and informative. I'm hooked, I want my own PPL now! Like other reviewers have said, if you're on the fence about getting an introduction, don't hesitate! read more

Upon arrival, I was thrilled and excited to come here because it was a surprise birthday gift. The staff upon check in were nice and the process of paper work were fast and easy. They have a nice lounge area with a couch and nice view of the airport and there are planes parked right outside, good for picture taking. Once our flight instructor Wayne arrived he was very kind and did not make the learning experience feel rushed or nerve racking. Once me and my boyfriend got the chance to learn how to handle the flight stimulator, our instructor then took us out to the plane where he educates us about the safety procedures before departing. Flying the plane for the first time, I got to sit in the front with the instructor where both of us can fly the plane. I learned how to take off and land safely with the instructors help along the way. Then my boyfriend and I got to switch turns once we landed at the Fullerton Airport and he got to take off and land the plane back to Riverside Airport. It was such a nice, beautiful and fun experience! Definitely a must especially if you are trying to learn how to become a pilot yourself! They do offer classes. At the way out of the facility, we got to take pictures at the plane right outside that were parked and so grateful and happy to get engaged there the same day! It was definitely an experience I will never forget! Me and my now Fiance are both grateful for a great service and experience at Riverside Flight Academy! read more

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Everyone is super nice and very helpful my husband is loving his experience he is having an amazing time thank you for being so amazing and making this a great first experience will always recommend riverside flight academy read more

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I recently took two flights, with two separate flight instructors, and had an amazing time!. Both instructors, Nate and Tiffany, were extremely polite and professional. They ensured I was comfortable with the aircraft, and spent a significant amount of time going over all the details before our flight. Once in the air, they allowed me to take the controls and complete several basic maneuvers, which allowed me to gain some confidence. The owner, Johan, was also extremely polite and professional, and spent some time explaining the process of obtaining a personal pilots license and all the job possibilities available, if I was interested in pursuing a career. To sum it up, all the staff I interacted with were amazing, and I would definitely recommend Riverside Flight Academy for a discovery flight, or long term training. Thanks, Chris Mayer read more

If you're on the fence, just do it! This place is the best. The staff and instructors are great. It's such a cool place. I didn't know there were flight schools like this until I bought my husband his first lesson for our anniversary. He loved it!!! read more

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My boyfriend has wanted to fly his whole life so i bought him a flght lesson as a surprise for his birthday. I even rented a 65 Mustang convertible to take him there. Needless to say it was a big let down when they cancelled the day before. We still made the most of the weekend and enjoyed the Mustang but rescheduled for the next weekend. The next Sunday we drive to Riverside from Newport for his 3 o'clock flight. At 2:50 they call to cancel when we're a mile away. When you block out 2 weekends for a birthday surprise that meant so much, getting your money back just isnt enough. read more

RFA gives some quality instruction and is one of the most well known flight schools in the area. They excel in customer service and have a good fleet. Definitely a good place to start your training. read more

I highly recommend Riverside Flight Academy. The staff is professional, personable, and friendly. If you are looking for a place to fly that is welcoming and responsive to their customers, Riverside Flight Academy should be at the top of your list. read more

As a flight instructor, I'm extremely picky when it comes to flight schools. I heard about RFA through a friend who had completed her commercial multiengine add on, so I called them up to see if they could help me with mine. They were extremely professional, efficiently setting up a checkride and an appropriate training course. Robert was an excellent instructor; I passed on the first try and couldn't be happier with the experience that I had here! read more

My wife got me a Groupon for Christmas. I fly a lot for work and have always wondered what it would be like to fly myself. We flew a Piper PA 28 Cherokee south from Riverside Municipal Airport to Lake Elsinore following the 91 freeway. Caleb was a great instructor and helped me enjoy the experience. I will admit i was nervous but glad i did it. Amazing experience! read more

Riverside Flight Academy - Flight Instruction Near Me - Riverside, California

Great experience! I flew the Cessna 172, such a fun plane to fly. Chad was an amazing flight instructor! Will definitely be back!!! Thanks a lot guys! read more

Omg if I could give 10 stars I would! I def. Recommend this for everyone to try at least once in their life. Everyone was so nice here. Our instructor, Adolfo was great, patient, funny and very knowledgeable! He was amazing! Definitely made the experience enjoyable. I bought one instruction for my husband for his birthday. Def. Is a memory and something he is able to check off his list. 10/10 recommend this place and ask for Adolfo! read more

My first experience with flying was back in 1991 when I signed up to take lessons however I had to quit due to college and finances. Because it has been on my mind since then I purchased a Groupon for the flight experience. I arrived at 10:30 for my 11:00 appointment but didn't get to the simulator until 11:15 because it was being used. No problem. At the simulator she reviewed the controls and I did one take off and one landing and then went out to the plane. I don't think I did very well but maybe she was in a rush since we started 15min late. Took about 10 minutes at most. She mentioned that we were going to fly to Lake Mathews which appears to have been the standard trip from previous reviews. Was pretty nervous but excited. We got into the plane and she reviewed the controls, started up the engine and headed on our way. Before we took off she noted that there was excessive static in the communications between me and her ( and there was) but not between her and the control tower and that we would have to cut the flight short. My flight consisted of one take off, 180 degrees left turn, 180 degrees left turn, touch and go, left turn, point out Lake Mathews to the distant left, left turn and landing. Pretty disappointed. Was hoping that the ride would be long enough that I would feel comfortable with the plane and possibly consider actually finishing what I had started back in 1991 since I now have both the time and finances to do it. I thought that they were going to reschedule me for another flight since I didn't receive the full ride/experience that I was expecting due to their faulty equipment but it it didn't happen. I really think that if my experience would have been better I would have signed up for lessons on that day but that was not the case. Maybe a missed opportunity for both of us? I haven't fully given up. I'm considering going to another school to see how it goes but I think this could have been handled better based on the experiences of other reviewers. read more

In my professional life, I am a corporate instructor for Quality Improvement. Needless to say, I am very picky with the quality of instruction wherever I go. Riverside Flight Academy and their instructors are very professional, and the atmosphere is very welcoming. Granted, you will need to put in the work, study and do things on your own so you are constantly moving forward in your training; but the instructors and the school have a vested interest in making you a safe and knowledgeable pilot. I have been a student here since April 2021 and hopefully will pass my exam sometime soon. I would recommend this school to anyone. I should mention that I have flown with almost every instructor and this process allows you to select one that matches your personality. With that being said, they are all very confident and competent. read more

I'm currently working on getting my private pilot license at Riverside Flight Academy. The instructors and the staff are extraordinary. The airplanes are well taken care of and I feel like the school is well organized. The academy has a welcoming atmosphere and the instructors are very patient and kind which is essential when you're learning something new. This is definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had! read more

David was friendly, and clear instructor. My first experience was safe and enjoyable. You'll go through a simulation before jumping in a plane so you'll be aware what to do. I recommend for anyone who is thinking about getting their license read more