This school has probably the best SLSA trainer in the Bay Area with their Vans RV-12. I'm not…read morefamiliar with their Cirrus program, but if you're a Light Sport pilot who doesn't want to fly around in a Skycatcher all your life check this place out. Patrick and Will have been great in accommodating my checkout and now I have a great platform for improving my skills. If someone leases back a taildragger Kitfox or a Champ then this place will be paradise for me.

I'm an instrument-rated pilot and have been flying out of Gnoss field with my dad since I was 12…read moreyears old (1978), when Vindar was still in business. My last flight was in 2003 - when I quit flying to do "other things" (including starting a family). When I decided to start flying again in 2017 I went to Scanlon Aviation "to see what had changed and to learn about Cirrus airplanes..." (I was attracted to the enhanced safety of a whole-plane parachute.) Boy was I in for a re-education! Patrick has been phenomenal! A true professional. And I now call him a friend. So much has changed since 2003, I don't know where to start. I went through Cirrus Transition Training in his SR-20 (N150SA) and gained more confidence and professionalism than I've ever had (and that's saying something since my last airplane was a highly-modified Cessna P210N - not exactly a walk-in-the-park to fly). I recently purchased my own SR-22 (with help from Patrick and team) and couldn't be happier. Flying airplanes safely and professionally requires dedication, training and introspection. It's thrilling, fulfilling and humbling all at the same time. I can think of no better mentor than Patrick and the team at Scanlon Aviation.

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 have been reluctant to give this review. I was hoping that after numerous texts and requests, to…read morethe staff and owner that I would receive at least a response. None was given. I wanted to work things out. I have kept a record of all the ignored and unanswered requests via email and text. Now that they have all my money and their helicopter is broken, there's no reason to be nice to me anymore. It wasn't about the training. It was all about just getting as much money out of me as possible. I have a log of all the flights over the homes that filed a noise complaint lawsuit against Helico. I was given the names of complaintants, TIM WINKLER, JOE and FRANK. There were some pretty negative comments by Helico staff as we passed over their homes. I spent close to forty thousand dollars and three years of my time studying to get my PPL. Private pilot's license. Helico promised to help me. That was a lie. They just wanted to suck me dry of money. I have been asking for 3 years for the Helico course outline & study, it's called the syllabyss. I recently texted Helico manager Karilee (September/October 2024) requesting a course syllabus, and she completely ignored me. I asked again. She sent me a text asking me "why I'm so pushy?" It's a joke the way Helico is managed. Maybe I dodge a bullet. The 2007 Robinson R44 Raven ll helicopter N557SM was definitely on its last leg. It had close to 4400 hours. It leaked a quart of oil every time we went out. Some instruments did not work. It was not burning the oil. It was leaking it everywhere. So we would just add another quart of oil every time before we went up for a flight. This is in the flight log book. Plus, there is a huge oil stain on the tarmac under the helicopter. This is the same helicopter that they were renting out to take people on tours. N557SM. I am not a mechanic, but I feel this helicopter was pretty well worn out. That is why it's going to be torn down and out of service for the next year. You could not even store gear in the storage departments under the rear seats because they were full of oil that was leaking through the firewall. They put diaper like material in there to absorb the oil. It was bad. I put squawks in the log book that I thought the oil use was excessive, but it was ignored. The exhaust pipe to the muffler had a burn through it. I mentioned that to my CFI Ryan Wax. I showed it to him. He said, "Don't worry about it, I don't think it matters." He can not make that call because he is not a certified aircraft mechanic. I believe FAA rules a mechanic must make that determination. I had another instructor take me up while he was hung over from drinking excessively the night before. He told me so. He said he had a really bad headache and did not get much sleep. Another FAA violation. He was fired later. Another instructor asked me if I wanted to do "zoomies". I had never heard of that before. We proceeded to do high-speed stunts. I have a video. The list just goes on and on and on. I don't know why it was like this, but we're going to get to the bottom of it. I am filing an FAA complaint. More to come.

The weather was beautiful, Kerry the pilot very accommodating and knowledgeable. The whole flight…read moreexperience was fantastic!

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.

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.

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'