I've been renting from PPTC for the last 6 months after getting my PPL with their help. If you're…read moregoing to be flying a lot it's good to join their club for better pricing or buy hours in bulk. They keep the aircraft well maintained and although some of the planes are older, they do the job safely. The prep they provided and the help scheduling the DPE was invaluable and I passed my first check ride. I strongly recommend them for your PPL training

I've utilized PPTC several times now for their instruction, aircraft checkouts, and Redbird…read moresimulator. I recently got checked out in their G1000 172 and received some instruction in it to check some boxes off for my commercial certificate. I'm an IFR-rated private pilot with about 320 hours. My impression is that their aircraft are kept in tip-top condition. It helps they're owned by the maintenance company who does all the maintenance on the aircraft; so nothing is left unfixed. I've seen some pretty long-in-the-tooth rental aircraft at other local airports. Rates are fair both for rental and instructors. You spend a little less on the hobbs flying out of O69 as opposed to towered airports due to less taxi distance required, closer practice area, and less waiting for other traffic to clear. Overall I've gotten the impression PPTC is a professional outfit with a high standard for their aircraft.

This is not your typical flight school. I spent a year getting certificates and ratings through…read moreSmith Aviation in order to further my career in aviation. I successfully earned my private pilot, instrument, commercial, and CFI (flight instructor) ratings/certificates through them. They had me prepared enough each step of the way to pass each of my checkrides the first time. It's really common in the flight school world for people to start flight training but hit some kind of a wall that they can't get pass and they stop training. People here are watched over and supported quite a bit and as a result, they don't have this problem. Additionally, they have a very high pass rate. Lastly, they coordinate and work with DPEs (outside pilot examiner) to ensure people are able to get checkrides (think of it as a final exam before a certificate or rating is issued). People at other schools have told me they have to schedule their checkrides 3-6 months in advance. I have so many good things to say about Mike Smith Aviation. Please feel free to reach out to me and I can tell you more. I give Mike Smith Aviation 6/5 stars!

A few years ago I took my sons for introductory flying lessons. I was the first one to go up in…read morethe plane. I must admit at first I was scared. Being confined in a small space and so high up was not something I was used to. We flew over San Francisco. At first that was scary. But soon I got used to it and actually enjoyed flying.. My first son went up after me. He really enjoyed the ride. My younger son went after him. Now he gave the pilot a real scare. The pilot told me that my younger son was fearless and really took him for a ride he wouldn't soon forget. I thought for sure my son would want to follow after his uncle and be a fighter pilot when he got older. Luckily it never happened.

Some of my favorite memories are flying with Zoë, Rob, and Tim out of Healdsburg. I would not have…read moregotten my pilot certificate without them. I started training because I was afraid of heights. It took a lot of work to breakthrough that fear. Zoë, especially, had enormous patience and clear, helpful instruction, both for the technical aspects and the pilot mindset. I became a better person training with her. That first solo is a moment I will never forget, the sense of freedom, responsibility, and trust, that I have what it takes to navigate the air and land. This had enormous rewards both as a pilot and in my work as a director. I have used the mindset I learned to navigate tough moments on set, and life. If you choose RAM Aviation, know that you are in good hands. I would recommend it, one hundred percent!

RAM Aviation now also has a location at the Charles M Schulz Sonoma County Airport. An excellent…read moreset of instructors. Whether you need some recurrent training or a checkride or even if you're just beginning to work on your PPL, they will serve you well and make flight safety a front-of-mind subject for you. They have nicely maintained and well equipped aircraft, including several IFR birds with moving map GPS, waas and ADS-B.

I had a great time with Michael. He is extremely experienced and seems to know everything about…read moreflying and reading the weather. His new 2-seater is fast and comfortable. I can't wait to go again - I've already scheduled my next flight with him and will likely be taking some classes from him in the near future. NOTE: google maps shows a strange location. Try looking for Petaluma Municipal Airport (601 sky ranch rd.) on yahoo maps instead. From 116 just take the left on east washington and it's less than a mile down on the left, next to the rooster run golf course.

michael is anxious for response when he wants your attention, then unresponsive or cagey when he…read moredoesn't. he seems a solitary and jumpy bird indeed. it's unfortunate that there aren't many trike trainers around, indeed this one is good once in awhile. he will train you if you can fly through his hoops. and in the end, he did deliver on a contract, so that is that.

Took an Introductory flight here and we had such a wonderful experience from start to finish. Our…read moreinstructor was Binh, and she was an absolute gem. From start to finish she has been so incredibly kind, warm, and welcoming and made something that was pretty nerve wracking feel way more comfortable and fun. We had to reschedule our flight a couple times because of getting sick and weather, but she was very accommodating. She made it her priority that we got the most fun and safe experience that she could :) She did a very good job of walking me through what to do and was really patient with me and took the time to explain parts in depth when I was unsure about someone. She allowed me to take the lead when I was feeling confident but whenever I would start to get confused or too nervous being patient and helping me through those moments. Also I appreciate her reassuring me when she could tell I was getting nervous at certain points lol helped me feel a lot calmer. The entire time she always made sure we felt completely safe with her. This was something that's been on my bucket list for a really long time and it did not disappoint would highly recommend both the experience itself and the instructor! Also, I'm not sure if she meant to do this, but I think the experience cured my fear heights so that was a bonus lol! Definitely would highly recommend!!! So much fun! It's a memory we'll never forget!

Beware‼‼ Some kind of scam…read more Bought on their website through Yelp intro lesson as a surprise present for my husband, later I called to confirm the time and date, did not send any confirmation. They said that their pilot will call. A pilot called asking about my U.S citizenship and later offered illegal schemes for exchanging flights for weed. I do not know is it a new way of scammers but I am freaking out because their pilot keeps calling and harassing me. I blocked number but I left my address, full name and phone number on their website so I am terrified. I am this close to calling police.

Came for my 30th birthday, left with one less irrational fear…read more I'm terrified of heights, but Nakela was so calm, funny, and reassuring that I somehow ended up actually enjoying myself. He made the whole experience feel safe and unforgettable. If you're on the fence (or white-knuckling it like I was), book with Nakela. He'll have you conquering fears and grinning the whole way. Thanks for making my 30th one I'll never forget!!! You rule!!

What a phenomenal experience! I surprised my husband with a Fly with Friends experience. No flights…read moreexperience needed, a pilot goes up there with you. Alexis took care of the takeoff and landing, and did an excellent job coaching my husband during the flight. I recommend this for anyone that wants to try flying and/or see the Bay Area from through new eyes'

Ken Levins. Explosive temper. When I screwed up he treated me as an idiot…read more He screamed at me to turn in my OAK badge. I did as complied. He failed to tell OAK when I mailed in my badge to OAK. Literally cannot fly out of there because we had "words."

Great rates and instructors but found it difficult to get security deposit and an inadvertently…read morecharged $500 fine returned. Board is highly unresponsive and takes 5+ follow ups over multiple weeks for a response. Though it sounds like I am not alone in difficulties with club leadership based on a few other reviews.