Top Recommended Flight Schools in California

Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

Interested in becoming a pilot? Finding a flight school that fits your needs the best and is also in the location you want is important. Here are FLYING‘s top picks for flight schools in California. Visit FLYING’s Flight School Guide for more information on more than 100 flight schools, colleges, and universities with flight programs.

Quicklook: Flight Schools in California

• ATP 
• Spartan College
• California Aeronautical University
• Mt. San Antonio College
• NorCal Flight Center LLC

5 Flight Schools in California

Whether you are looking to become a professional pilot with or without a degree, here are FLYING’s top choices for some of the best flight schools in California.

ATP Flight School

ATP Flight School is the largest flight training organization in the U.S. and has been around for more than 35 years. ATP’s nationwide network of 71 training centers are located in 31 states, including eight in California. The low, all-inclusive tuition makes ATP attractive to pilots looking to get the best bang for their buck. 

• Locations: 
  • Camarillo (KCMA)
  • Carlsbad (KCRQ)
  • Long Beach (KLGB)
  • Livermore (KLVK)
  • Riverside (KRAL)
  • Sacramento (KSAC)
  • San Diego (KMYF)
  • San Luis Obispo (KSBP)

Tuition & fees: ATP Flight School tuition is all-inclusive. This means it includes all flight instruction, FAA written, oral and practical exams, and ratings and certificates. The all-inclusive tuition is $92,000 for students with no private pilot certificate and $72,000 for students who have already completed their private certificate.

Financial assistance: ATP Flight School does not offer any in-house scholarships, but it does offer in-house financing for students looking to spread out payments. Students may also apply for outside aviation scholarships to help mitigate the cost. 

Accreditation? Yes, this flight school is an FAA Part 141 school.

Program length: 7 months minimum

Partners: The school has partnerships with many airlines to help students transition to the airlines easier. Some of those airlines include United, Delta, and Spirit. 

Job placement? Yes

Virtual learning? No

See the full review of the ATP Program at FLYING’s Flight School Guide

Spartan College

Spartan College opened its doors in the 1920s and has since expanded to four locations, two of which are in California. Over the years, Spartan has trained more than 100,000 pilots.

Locations: Inglewood, California, and Riverside, California

Tuition and fees: Spartan College student pilots are required to pursue either an associate or bachelor’s degree concurrently. Because of this, students are required to pay both academic tuition and flight fees. Over the course of earning their degree and training, flight students will pay between $123,000 and $137,000 depending on if they are in-state or out-of-state students.

Financial assistance: Spartan College offers many scholarships. The school also accepts veterans’ benefits for all programs and has pathways for international students.

Accreditation? Yes, this flight school is an FAA Part 141 school. 

Program length: Students attending the professional pilot program can go from zero hours to Certified Flight Instructor in as little as 17 months. 

Partners: The school has partnerships with many airlines to help students transition to the airlines easier. Some of those airlines include Delta, Southwest, and United.

Job placement? Yes

Virtual learning? No

See the full Spartan College Review on FLYING’s Flight School Guide

California Aeronautical University

Offering an associate or bachelor’s degree in the professional pilot track, California Aeronautical University is one of the best options for a student looking to attend a school in California, pursue a degree, and become a professional pilot. CAU is one of the only colleges in California that offers a rotor-wing track for students. 

Locations:  Oxnard, California, and San Diego, California

Tuition and fees: CAU student pilots are required to pursue either an associate or bachelor’s degree concurrently. Because of this, students are required to pay both academic tuition and flight fees. Over the course of earning their degree and training, flight students will pay between $195,000 and $235,000 depending on if they are in-state or out-of-state students.

Financial assistance: CAU offers many scholarships for students to apply for. The school also accepts veterans’ benefits for flight programs, including the post-9/11 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon program.

Accreditation? Yes, this flight school is an FAA Part 141 school.

Program length: 24 to 48 months depending on the student and if they are pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree. 

Partners: The school has partnerships with many airlines to help students build relationships with the airlines easier. Some of those airlines include Delta, Southwest, and United.

Job placement? Yes

Virtual learning? No

Considering CAU? Read the full California Aeronautical University Review

Mt. San Antonio College

Mt. San Antonio College is an FAA Part 141-approved school that offers associate degree and certificate programs for students interested in working in the aviation industry. Located in Walnut, California, Mt. San Antonio College is one of the top flight school options in Southern California.

Location: Walnut, California

Tuition and fees: Mt. San Antonio College students are required to pursue an associate degree concurrently with flight training. Because of this, students are required to pay both academic tuition and flight fees. Over the course of earning their degree and flight training,  students will pay between $81,000 and $105,000 depending on if they are in-state or out-of-state students.

Financial Assistance: Mt. San Antonio College offers traditional financial aid through the FAFSA but does not have any aviation specific scholarships. Students may also apply for outside aviation scholarships to help mitigate the cost. 

Accreditation: Mt. San Antonio College is an FAA Part 141-approved school.

Program length: Two-year program

Partners: No airline partners 

Job placement? No

Virtual learning? No

See how Mt. San Antonio College stacked up against the competition.

NorCal Flight Center LLC

NorCal Flight Center is an option for students who want to complete flight training at their own pace and budget. The school does not require any degree pursuance and has no set timeline for program completion. The northern California location offers weather that is typically agreeable to flight training all year round. 

Location: Lincoln, California

Tuition and fees: Completion of each stage of training at NorCal Flight Center varies in price depending on how many hours of instruction are needed to complete the rating. On average, students will pay about $25,000 per rating, adding up to a total of around $125,000 to complete certificates and ratings up to certified flight instructor. 

Financial assistance: NorCal Flight Center does not have any in-house scholarships but it does offer in-house financing for students looking to spread out payments. Students may also apply for outside aviation scholarships to help mitigate the cost. 

Accreditation: Part 61

Program length: Each rating takes roughly two to three months to complete at a minimum. All five ratings and certificates will take around 15 months to complete. 

Partners: None

Job placement? No

Virtual learning? No

California Flight School Facts and Figures

When choosing a flight school, you need to consider multiple factors such as tuition, job placement assistance, and financial aid. 

Number of Schools

California hosts more than 100 flight schools. While there may be a lot of schools to choose from, not all of them will fit your style of learning or your budget. If you are looking for a flight school that is Part 141 accredited, this number drops to less than 20. Part 141 flight schools are usually more involved in the job placement process of their students and also tend to have faster completion times. 

Number of Students per Class

On average, a flight school ground class at a Part 141 school will have roughly 15 to 20 students. Part 61 schools normally train on more of a 1:1 basis. All flight training, at either type of school, will be 1:1.

Tuition Rates

Flight schools range in price depending on the type of program you attend and where the program is located. In California, accelerated flight programs run around $100,000 all in, while flight schools that have a degree program attached to them will run a little more, between $100,000 to $200,000. Part 61 flight schools may be lower cost up front, but because of the less structured classes and possibly less frequent flight lessons, the student could end up paying more in the long run. 

Average Loan Amount

The average loan amount to complete flight training in California is around $75,000. This is assuming students pay a little out of pocket or get some financial aid to cover the remaining cost. 

Scholarship

Some schools offer in-house scholarships for flight students which can be a great way to help mitigate tuition costs. If the school you are attending does not have any specific flight training scholarships, outside aviation scholarships may also be available. VA benefits are a popular way flight students can pay for training. If you plan on using VA benefits, ensure that your school accepts them prior to enrolling.

Job Placement

Flight schools and colleges may lend a hand in job placement after training is completed. Airline partnerships can also give students the upper hand in finding a job after graduation. To find out if the school you are interested in has any partnerships, visit its website.

California Pilot Employment Facts and Figures

When researching what company to fly for upon completing your flight training, stay on top of the facts and figures of California pilots.

Employment 

Many airlines have hubs in California, making it a great place to look for a career as a pilot. Some of the top employers of pilots in California are:

Biggest Employer	Average First-Officer Salary	Full- or Part-Time Pilots
Alaska Airlines	$93,000 to $190,000	2,900+
SkyWest Airlines	$94,000	5,000+
Delta Air Lines	$92,000 – $232,000	13,000+
United Airlines	$91,000 and $240,000	12,000+
FedEx Express	$80,000	5,000+

Salary

Salaries for pilots vary depending on the airline/company you work for and if you are a first officer or a captain. Most students out of flight school will be a first officer at their first airline and start at roughly $50,000 to $70,000 their first year.

Picking a flight school can feel overwhelming, but getting all the information before enrolling in a program can help you find the right school for you. If you would like to explore more options, check out FLYING’s Flight School Guide and subscribe to FLYING magazine to stay informed on all things aviation. 

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