Aircraft hire in San Diego

[sonicpana]

Hi anyone recommend a flying school or operator in San Fran/oakland or San Diego area.Want to hire a tidy cessna / piper Got a business trip and some time off in each . Have a 61.75 based on my uk licence.(yes all up to date with current reg's)
Cheers in advance:ok:

[acunningham]

I can recommend Plus One in San Diego:

Plus One Flyers (http://www.plusone.org/)

Most of their aircraft are at Montgomery Field (KMYF), but some are at Gillespie (KSEE) and Ramona (KRNM). They have a good selection of C172s, including with G1000.

I'm not familiar with northern California, but am going there later this year, so am also interested in reports on rentals in the San Francisco area.

[WestWind1950]

Also at Gillespie I can recommend the Golden State Flying Club (http://www.gsfc.com/). It's a commercial operation but with more of a club atmosphere and I believe they still allow monthly membership.

Tell Steve or Rich (the two owners) that the crazy gal from Germany sent you! :ok:

[thatscaptaintou]

Last year I went to San Diego and did about 65 hours building there. I was based at Montgomery Field (KMYF) and did it with San Diego Flight Center. I had a PA28 all to myself for 3 weeks, if I remember it was $88 p/h wet.

They mainly operate a Cessna fleet, though a Warrior could be brought in if you wanted. Current rates for the 172's are $90 p/h wet. If you want a contact there, could I recommend you speak to Dann Davis ([email protected]) He's a great bloke, thoroughly recommended and is part of the Golden Wings Flying Club, which has a wide range of aircraft available which are used by several flying clubs based at the airport.

Based on my experience, Montgomery is a cracking place to go. Sits north of Lindbergh and south of Miramar. It also lies in San Diego Class B airspace, so a really good opportunity to mix it up with the big boys as well as SoCal. Let me know if you want to know more, but from having been there myself, couldn't recommend a better place - I've got the pics to prove it!

[sonicpana]

cheers for the info people...let u know how I get on.

[Duchess_Driver]

California Flight Academy (http://www.flycfa.com)

at El Cajon / Gilespie / KSEE, a bit further out from San Diego centre than Montgomery.

Used to be a great place to learn, fly and chill. Aeroplanes were always top notch (slightly more expensive than other places but you get what you pay for!) Staff and instuctors were friendly and knowledgable.


Next door to (Anglo) American Aviation American Aviation Academy (http://www.flyaaa.com) who used to provide a reasonable service. Aeroplanes were a bit, erm, tired last time I looked. That was a while ago, so don't know what the current score is.

[Heliplane]

I've never got on that well at Montgomery - it's difficult to turn up there, checkout and simply rent. The one place that allowed this (some years ago) no longer seems to be around but the planes were in a horrific state of repair and when I pointed this out to the owner, he suggested I rent from somewhere else - which I duly did.

Outfits such as Plus One have a great selection of aircraft but seem to want you to go through a new member's induction course which I could never be bothered with.

I'd suggest trying Orion Aviation at Palomar - about 45 mins north of Montgomery. Very tidy, friendly and professional outfit with their own maintenance and a good selection of aircraft (one of the nicest C-172RGs I've ever flown). Palomar is a very nice airfield with an ILS. I'm in San Diego quite often and find it well worth the extra distance up to Palomar (even though I pass Montgomery on the way...)

[thatscaptaintou]

Heliplane - I think you've got a good point if you are one of those 'turn up and rent' guys. If it is something that you need to plan though as I did, it is a great place and I didn't have to do a full induction. All I had was a sort of 20-30 min overview of working in Class B, dealing with SoCal and things being pointed out on the maps i.e. the flight paths into/out of Lindbergh/LAX etc

My checkout came to about 5 hours in total mainly due to the fact that it wasn't all about 'here's the plane, stall it, do a steep turn etc' but because it was about pointing out landmarks, getting acquainted with SoCal, dealing with Montgomery traffic (very busy) and how not to cross into the path of an F16. That aside, it was exciting as hell and I'd jump at the chance to go back there:ok:

[looptheloop]

San Diego is aviation heaven! I always found Pinnacle at Palomar Airport to have great planes- immaculate and well equipped and always got a great service from them and everyone at CRQ.
check out www.pinnacleacademy.com (http://www.pinnacleacademy.com)
Have fun in the sunshine!