I recently met with Omar to discuss the 9 month Airline Pilot Program. After researching different…read moreflight schools in the area (ATP, Orange County Flight Center, Spartan College) I was a bit overwhelmed with my options for how to begin my career as a pilot. Omar took the time to meet with me and answer all my questions and so far, I'm very impressed. I'd like to think I'm a good judge of character and I never got the feeling that Omar and the team is just there to take your money, but rather to help you start flying! Nice people, nice facilities, and nice location (I much prefer SNA to LAX lol). I'm very excited to take the next step and enroll in the Airline Pilot Program and I look forward to flying with y'all soon!

Not one to typically write reviews, but wanted to share my experience at this school. I started my…read moreprivate training here (I am now a CFI) and have been to a total of 5 flight schools throughout my training, due to moving for college. OCFL was unfortunately my least favorite by far. What caused me to eventually leave and find a new school was a transponder issue on my night flight to Camarillo. A transponder is required equipment when flying through LA airspace, and ATC reminded us that we are not allowed to fly through the LA airspace with this issue. My instructor wisely chose to land at Van Nguys Airport instead of (illegally) flying back to John Wayne. Yes it's inconvenient, but certainly the safe (and legal) choice. He called Omar, the owner, to notify him of this inconvenience. Omar then proceeded to get upset with my instructor because of the time and money it would cost to pick up the airplane in Van Nguys. Omar advised that my instructor should've just flown over LAX, at night, and pretended to not notice to issue. This was years ago, but since then I have only heard of similar negative experiences from other past students of this school. Now that I am further along in my training, I see how dangerous this money-over-safety mentality truly is. I write this review only in hopes for other aviators to look for safer flight school options or for this school to hopefully institute some safer practices. Thank you!

The staff are the best, my instructor specifically, Jonah and the receptionist Audrey are helpful,…read morepatient, knowledgeable, and friendly. Their fleet of planes are nice, clean, and well maintained. I feel safe in the skies with their fleet of planes and instructors. My personal favorite plane I've flown is N651KC, it's awesome due to it's a new and refurbished instruments. If you want a good fight school, come to Pacific Flight Aviation.

I've been a student at PFA about 6 months now and I couldn't be happier! I was looking for a school…read morewith a program specifically designed to help helicopter pilots transition to fixed wing. I looked at 5 or 6 schools, some of them even out of state. Some schools required huge loans upfront (80k or more), other schools didn't have a syllabus's, other schools had questionably airworthy aircrafts, and a lot of places had no idea what the requirements even where to transition to fixed wing. More often than not, pilots were trying to pressure me, and sell me their school. Thank God I am already a CFI and I know EXACTLY what to look for in a reputable school. Being actively involved in aviation on the helicopter side (6-7 years), and working as a CFI, I knew exactly what I was looking for but it was hard to find. There are a lot of shady things that go on in aviation unfortunately, but right away after meeting with the Chief/Owner Wayne I knew this school would be different. Wayne is transparent, honest, knowledgable, and truly cares about his students and their progress. All of his aircrafts/SIM are maintained in pristine condition, his logbooks are always in order and he is never late or unprofessional. He has a background in business and it reflects in his demeanor, and the way he treats students/employees. He hired a new pilot Summer a few months ago and she has easily become my all time favorite instructor! To call her smart would be an understatement, she is one of a kind. She constantly surprises me with her vast knowledge and skills. I feel safe with her and she accurately gives me feed back along with necessary critiques. She creates an atmosphere where I have fun flying and I'm learning new skills. Im just so thankful Wayne hired her. Usually you find an instructor that's fun, but just wants to fly or smart but too rigid. She's super fun and when she critiques me she isn't harsh. I have done some dumb things while learning how to fly (you will do them too!) but we laugh them off, refocus and overcome challenges together. Thank you Summer for not loosing it with me while I learn how to land! If you're looking for a flight school you need to find a place that checks all the boxes, specifically these; - Has an organized syllabus - Excellent maintenance - Professional, honest, knowledgeable CFI's that are staying abreast in the industry - Fits your budget ( don't ever give a school thousands and thousands of dollars upfront) - Accommodates your schedule - Understands your goals whether it be a PPL or ATP, and can keep you on track. Trust me the last thing you want to do is have a school send you to a Checkride unprepared. You will fail, look like an idiot, and waste your money. In aviation reputation is everything, it's a small world, the school you go to along with your character and credibility will matter immensely in aviation. If you're considering this school, do your research, go in and talk to Wayne. As you narrow down your choices, and filter out options im sure you will also realize this is absolutely the best place to fly in SoCal. Stay safe, have fun and happy flying!

Took my first demo/introductory/discovery flight at OC Flight Center. Michael was my flight…read moreinstructor and he let me taxi, takeoff, talk to ATC, do flight maneuvers, and finally land. Amazing instructor, beautiful views, and a surreal experience! $150 is a great price point as it includes both the plane and the instructor. Generally most planes rent for around just that price. They let my wife tag along in the back seat for $35 more. The experience starts with checking in at the front desk and signing waivers. Then you do a quick run down in the office with your instructor of what to expect during the flight. Then they take you out to the airport and do a pre-flight inspection of the plane. Finally you're seated into the pilot's seat and start taxing out. Total time in the plane was about 45-50 min of which 25 min was in the air (from take off to landing). We also lucked out in that they assigned us to their newest plane (a Cessna 172S - N227WC). It came equipped with a G1000, which was awesome! It was so similar to my experience with the Cessna 172 in Microsoft Flight Simulator. :D Michael was a super attentive and encouraging flight instructor. I loved that he gauged how comfortable I was in the plane and let me do so much more then I was expecting to be able to do on my first flight. I loved that he let me make the calls to ATC. Also it was incredibly cool taking off and landing by myself (with his guidance of course). Michael spent a lot of time after the flight answering questions that we had. In total my wife and I spent about 2.5 hours at OCFC. I will definitely come back here if/when I want to start my PPL training--hopefully with Michael as my flight instructor!

I trained at OCFC many years ago and it was a fantastic experience. It had all the personality and…read moreattention to the customer that you would expect from a small, well run business. Unfortunately, that has all changed after a corporate buyout. I'm having my son train there now, but gone is the personal service and in it's place are big business rules. If you don't keep at least a $500 minimum balance (which would still cover 2 and a half 1 hour flights), they cancel any an all scheduled flights until it's brought up. But the worst part is the lack of maintained aircraft. Out of 13 aircraft on the line, only 3-4 are ever available to fly due to maintenance issues. He is only able to fly about 65% of the scheduled flights wasting his time his and his instructors time. I will send him elsewhere for his advanced training.

Was currently looking for a flight school some time ago. I went to take a visit to know more of the…read moreschool and Vivian was so helpful!! She was so nice and kind and the Owner really cares about aviation and his students and instructors. I immediately booked an intro flight and got paired with Roy. During my intro flight Roy was so helpful and kind. He taught me a couple things that I didn't expect to be learning right away. Planes look very well maintenance and I felt safe throughout my whole experience.

Roy was the best instructor! He made me feel very safe and informed on everything about the plane!…read moreWould 10/10 recommend coming here!

I want to start off by saying that this was a big first for me and I'm happy to have experienced it…read morewith my fiancé and BIG shout out to our helicopter pilot, James for big informative, a pleasure to talk with and most of all make sure we had a great time and flew safe. But all I have to say is this is beautiful and I suggest yall experience it at least once!

I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing a helicopter ride with Rogue Aviation out of Long Beach…read moreas a birthday surprise from my wife, and it was nothing short of phenomenal. From start to finish, the entire experience was surreal and exhilarating. The team at Rogue Aviation was outstandingly professional and friendly, and James, our pilot, made the whole ride both safe and thrilling. He even let me take the controls for a moment, which was an unforgettable experience! Seeing Los Angeles from the sky is a whole new perspective that I'd recommend to anyone--whether you're a pilot enthusiast or just looking for a unique way to enjoy the city. Five stars all the way!

The Flight School & Instructor Dreams Are Made Of…read more Learning to fly is a big deal--it's equal parts thrilling, terrifying, and life-changing. Choosing the right flight school and especially the right flight instructor can make all the difference. From the moment I walked through the doors at this school, I felt like more than just a student--I felt seen, supported, and genuinely cared for. The school runs like a well-oiled machine: professional, organized, safety-focused, and full of heart. But the true magic? My flight instructor. I don't say this lightly: Rul Yacob, my instructor is the absolute best. Not just "great," not just "knowledgeable"--but one of those rare people who combines deep expertise with kindness, patience, and an intuitive understanding of how people learn. He doesn't just teach you to fly--he teaches you to believe you can. He never rushes. He listens. He explains concepts in ways that finally make them click. He celebrates your wins and lifts you up when you're struggling. Every single flight lesson left me better--not just as a pilot, but as a person. Thank you Rul! I recently soloed cross country and I truly couldn't have done it without him. It was one of the most meaningful days of my life, and I'll carry that memory forever--with gratitude, pride, and respect for the teacher who got me there. If you're thinking about learning to fly, do it here. Do it with Rul. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and completely transformed. This isn't just a flight school--it's a launchpad for your dreams.

Well. That was WELL worth the money. I honestly thought it was a steal of a deal if you ask me…read more Mike and his team were more than I could have asked for - in so many ways. His training, explaining and safety prep was comforting. He obviously knows his stuff and has been doing this for a very very long time. Just the interaction and education would have been enough for me - throw in the multiple 5-gs and every maneuver that plane was capable of - FIVE STARS from me!! I WILL BE DOING THIS AGAIN!! Thank you for making me feel alive, it was such a blessing. Ps. Girls, this isn't only for guys. Get out there and DO IT!!!!! We all know you want to

Skythrills provided such an AWESOME and exciting experience!!!! I initially thought it was a bit…read moretoo expensive for a couple of minutes in the air but it was totally worth it! How often do you have the opportunity to board a small open hangar craft and feel the wind blow by you as you soar over the world beneath you?! Not often at all. Mike was our pilot. He must be one of the friendliest guys I've ever encountered in quite some time. He gave us some nifty leather caps and a mic set so we could talk and hear from each other throughout the flight. You can tell Mike really gets a kick out of the joy others experience through flying with him. What I appreciated the most about this experience was how the plane was constructed. The biplane allowed my girlfriend and I to experience the whole flight together. I hiiiighly recommend giving Skythrills a try. Treat yo self!!!!!!

I've been coming to Aces High for a while now, and I've gotten my private and instrument ratings so…read morefar, and there are too many good things to write in a review. When I first started attending this school, I didn't have any family or friends that were in aviation, so I didn't understand anything about the process. The owner, Sam, met me in person and went over all the details from beginning to end, and I was never pressured to sign up for anything. Sam was also always there when I needed him to help me with anything. I've met most of the instructors here, and all of them are nice and happy to help. My initial instructor, Luc, helped me get my first certificate and provided me with a solid base of understanding to build up on; he was also very patient with me even though I put him in interesting situations when I was a fresh student. My CFI-I, Geeha, has elevated my knowledge, helped me get my instrument rating, shared her passion for weather with me, and made me a safer pilot. The chief pilot Joy is always available to answer any questions or concerns. Maxi CFI-I was a great instructor, and she taught me a lot in the short amount of time that I spent with her. Flying is an amazing privilege, and getting the proper training at the right facility is crucial for a seamless experience. I would definitely suggest Aces High.

I recently passed my PPL checkride with Aces High, and I'm glad to have trained at a school that…read morecares about its students. I first did a discovery flight with another school in Fullerton, but the instructor demonstrated so many maneuvers that I ended up feeling nauseous. Some schools had programs that didn't fit my schedule, and other airports like John Wayne (SNA) often have long ground delays. I eventually chose to train in Long Beach--where I grew up--and it turned out to be a great decision. From day 1, the experience stood out. I met the owner, Sam Raymond, who was welcoming and down-to-earth. My first flight over the Long Beach harbor confirmed I was in the right place--the views over the training area are beautiful. Aces High's aircraft and instructor rates were also more competitive than many other schools. Aviation isn't easy, but it's very rewarding, and having the right support makes a big difference. Sam, Joy (Chief Instructor), and my main instructor Maxi M. were key in helping me pass my checkride. The school also has a great group of instructors--Chris, Luc, Grayson, Aston, Hilary, Sharon, Hannah, Mike, and Justin-- all great people to learn from.