Premier Flight Training · Van nuys

Learn to Fly

in Los angeles

The trusted, leading aviation school at Van Nuys Airport — a large operation at KVNY with a sizable fleet, simulator, and multiple training tracks from beginner-friendly Discovery Flights through Airline Transport Pilot. Building professional pilots on the airline career path for over 27 years.

27+

Years

KVNY

Airport

FAA

Certified

1200+

Pilots Trained

Quick Check

Can I Learn
to Fly?

Are you at least 16 years old?

YesNo

You're Almost There!

You can start ground school at any age and begin flying before 16.
You need to be 16 to solo and 17 for your Private Pilot Certificate.

Can you read, speak, and understand English?

YesNo

We Can Help

There may be options depending on your situation.
Reach out and we’ll walk you through the requirements.

Are you in generally good health?

YesNo

Let's Talk About It

An FAA medical is simpler than most people think — many common conditions are compatible with flying. Give us a call.

Call US - (818) 200-0400

Do you have a valid government-issued ID

YesNo

We Can Help

There may be options depending on your situation.
Reach out and we’ll walk you through the requirements.

Call US - (818) 200-0400

You're Ready to Fly!

You meet the basic requirements to begin flight training.
The only thing left is to get in the cockpit.

Book a Discovery Flight — $249

The Most Structured Lesson in L.A.

Anatomy of a Flight Lesson

Pre-Flight Briefing · ~15 min

You and your instructor review the day's objectives, weather conditions, and the specific maneuvers you'll practice. This focused prep ensures you're mentally ahead of the airplane before you step outside.
Weather review
Lesson objectives
Maneuver overview

Aircraft Pre-Flight · ~15 min

Walk around the aircraft with a checklist — inspecting control surfaces, fuel, oil, tires, and avionics. You learn to think like a pilot before you leave the ground. Your instructor guides you at first, then you take over.
Walk-around
Fuel & oil
Controls check

Fly the Lesson · 1–1.5 hrs

Taxi, takeoff from Van Nuys, fly to the practice area, work on maneuvers — steep turns, slow flight, stalls, navigation — then return for pattern work and landings. You fly from day one. Your instructor is always right beside you.
Takeoff & landing
Maneuvers
Radio comms

Post-Flight Debrief · ~15 min

Review everything — what went well, what needs work. Log your flight time and set clear goals for next session. This feedback loop is what separates efficient training from aimless flying.
Performance review
Logbook entry
Goal setting

Self-Study & Prep

Between flights — study the Pilot's Handbook, review charts, practice checklists, and prep for your FAA written test. Ground school runs concurrently with flight training so you learn theory and apply it in the air at the same time.
PHAK study
Written prep
Ground school

Your Airline Career Path

The Path to Your Wings

Your first hour in the left seat. Take the controls over Los Angeles with an FAA-certified instructor. No experience needed — just show up and fly.

What You'll Do
  • Fly over the San Fernando Valley
  • Handle takeoff and basic maneuvers
  • Experience real cockpit comms
What You'll Do
  • No prior experience required
  • $249 fee applied to enrollment
  • Bring a valid government ID

The foundation of every aviation career. Learn to fly solo, navigate cross-country, communicate with ATC, and handle emergencies. Flight training runs concurrently with ground school.

What You'll Learn
  • Aerodynamics and flight principles
  • Takeoffs, landings, maneuvers
  • Cross-country navigation
  • Emergency procedures
Requirements
  • Age 17 (16 to solo)
  • FAA medical certificate
  • Written knowledge test
  • Practical checkride

Fly in clouds, fog, and low visibility using only instruments. Essential for a professional career and makes you a dramatically safer pilot in all conditions.

What You'll Learn
  • IFR navigation and procedures
  • Instrument approaches (ILS, VOR, GPS)
  • Weather decision-making
Requirements
  • Private Pilot Certificate
  • 50 hrs cross-country PIC
  • 40 hrs instrument time

Earn the right to be paid for flying. Higher precision standards and advanced maneuvers open the door to charter, aerial work, and the airline pipeline.

What You'll Learn
  • Advanced maneuvers (lazy eights, chandelles)
  • Complex aircraft operations
  • Commercial decision-making
Requirements
  • Minimum age: 18
  • Instrument rating
  • 250 total flight hours

The fastest path to the airlines. Teach the next generation while logging the 1,500 hours required for ATP. Our 30-day program gets you certified and instructing fast.

Why Become a CFI?
  • Build hours toward 1,500 ATP
  • Earn income while flying
  • Most airline pilots started here
Our 30-Day Program
  • Intensive full-time schedule
  • Path continues to CFII + MEI
  • Checkride prep built in

The natural next step after CFI — qualifies you to teach instrument flying. High demand, higher instructor income, and the fastest way to log instrument-dual hours toward ATP.

What You'll Teach
  • IFR procedures and navigation
  • Instrument approaches (ILS, VOR, GPS, RNAV)
  • Weather decision-making
  • Single-pilot IFR workload
Requirements
  • CFI certificate
  • Instrument rating
  • FAA written (FOI already covered)
  • Practical checkride

The natural next step after CFI — qualifies you to teach instrument flying. High demand, higher instructor income, and the fastest way to log instrument-dual hours toward ATP.

What You'll Teach
  • IFR procedures and navigation
  • Instrument approaches (ILS, VOR, GPS, RNAV)
  • Weather decision-making
  • Single-pilot IFR workload
Requirements
  • CFI certificate
  • Instrument rating
  • FAA written (FOI already covered)
  • Practical checkride

The highest pilot certification and the finish line for an airline career. At 1,500 hours you’re eligible to fly as First Officer at a regional airline. Many of our grads fly for SkyWest, Republic, Envoy, and other carriers.

The Destination
  • Fly for regional and major airlines
  • First Officer at 1,500 hrs
  • Earning potential: $100K–$400K+
Requirements
  • Train PPL → CFI with us
  • Instruct to build hours
  • Apply to regionals at 1,500
Your Aircraft

Piper Archer LX

Train in one of aviation’s most trusted single-engine aircraft. Our sizable fleet is maintained to the highest standards — strict attention to aircraft condition and availability means when you book a lesson,
the plane is ready to fly. Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit— the same avionics used in regional airlines.

180 hp

Lycoming Engine

128 kts

Max Cruise Speed

522 nm

Max Range

G1000 NXi

Garmin Glass Cockpit

4-Seat

Side-by-Side Cockpit

IFR

FULLY EQUIPPED

14,100 ft

MAX ALTITUDE

ADS-B

IN / OUT

The G1000 NXi is the same flight deck found in Cessna Caravans, King Airs, and regional turboprops. Training on glass from day one means no retraining when you step into a modern cockpit.

The Difference

Why 30 Day CFI FLIGHT TRAINING ACADEMY?

27+

Years of Experience

A trusted, leading aviation school at Van Nuys
Airport with decades of graduates flying professionally.

1:1

One-on-One Instruction

Every lesson is one-on-one with a career CFI.
Schedule flexibility that fits your life — and the instructor professionalism and instructor retention you won’t find at hour-mill schools.

GROUND SCHOOL

Most Structured Training in L.A.

In-person ground school running concurrently
with flight training. The most structured training pipeline in the Valley, with a clear pricing structure and no hidden surprises.

ATP

Career-Track Training

Full pipeline from PPL through CFI. We build careers, not just licenses.

G1000 NXi

Glass Cockpit Training

Garmin G1000 NXi from lesson one — the same avionics as pro aviation.

VNY

Van Nuys Airport

KVNY is one of the busiest GA airports in the
U.S. — airport traffic exposure that gives you excellentreal-world experience from day one.

The First Step

The Sky
Is Waiting.

Come visit our school in person, talk to our instructors, and take a Discovery Flight. Beginner-friendly, no experience required, no commitment needed.  60 minutes in the left seat over Los Angeles.

Book a Discovery Flight — $249

Fee applied toward enrollment if you sign up same day

Student Reviews

What Our Pilots Say

Questions?

FAQ

None at all. Every professional pilot started exactly where you are. All you need is motivation and a valid government ID. We handle the rest — structured curriculum, experienced instructors, and a clear path.

A 60-minute introductory flight where you take the controls with an instructor. The $249 fee is fully credited toward enrollment — so it’s risk-free.

17 to earn your PPL (16 to solo). You’ll need a basic FAA medical exam — simpler than most people think. You can begin training before completing the medical.

No advance study required. Your instructor guides you step by step. If you’re eager, the FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is free online.

FAA minimum is 40 hours, national average is 60–70. With our structured training, motivated students finish in 3–6 months flying 2–3 times per week.

We’re built around schedule flexibility — train 2–3 times per week, mornings, evenings, or weekends. Most students fly 3-hour blocks; ground school meets once or twice weekly in the evening.

Absolutely — most of our students do. Consistency matters more than intensity. Even flying twice a week builds skills effectively.

Your instructor reviews the areas that need work, schedules additional training, and preps you for a retest. You only retake the portions you didn’t pass. Many successful airline captains didn’t pass every checkride first try.

Costs vary based on progress and goals. Use our Training Cost Calculator for a detailed estimate, or call for a personalized breakdown.

Flexible payment options available. Many students pay per-lesson, while career-track students choose block packages. Contact us to explore what works for you.

That’s the plan. Our full career path is designed to take you from zero to the 1,500 hours required for ATP. Many graduates now fly for regional and major airlines.

Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), 7900 Balboa Blvd, Suite E102, Van Nuys, CA 91406. Easily accessible from all of greater Los Angeles via the 405 and 101.

TEST ONLY

FAA Requirements: TESTING ONLY
(FAR §61.129) (FAR §61.123) (FAR §61.125)
  • 250 hrs Total (Minimum)
  • 100 hrs PIC (50 hrs in airplanes, 50 Cross-Country
  • 20 hrs Training (10 hrs instrument, 10 hrs TAA, Day & Night XC.
  • 10 hrs Solo/PIC (Long Cross-Country + Night)
  • Private Pilot Certificate
  • English Proficiency
  • 2nd Class Medical Certificate
  • Pass FAA Knowledge Test
  • Pass FAA Practical Tests

Contact Us

We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.