Californian Flight School Dilemma

[Wojo]

Hi All ,
Just a small dilemma…I can’t decide on a Flight Schoolin California, that takes an M1 visa applicant and is SEVP aprroved , for Private Pilot Certificate training.

I have narrowed the field down to three schools,

Universal Aviation Academy
Fly Corona
Mazzei Flying Service.

I am leaning towards Fly Corona because the reviews that I have been able to find on the Net are glowing and it seems like a friendly and competent organisation and the airfield is non towered ( so I can ease into things at pace re ATC) .


Interested in hearing other opinions

Regards,
WOJO

[Katamarino]

I'd recommend Channel Islands Aviation at Camarillo. They have great staff, a helpful owner, and a good fleet. I've flown with them a couple of times (renting aircraft to go off cross-country for a couple of weeks, with BFRs/IPCs before hand) and have been really happy with them.

Channel Islands Aviation • California FBO, Flight School, Aircraft Sales/Charters/Maintenance

[Wojo]

Thanks Silvaire1

Drop the 'N' hey..thanks for the tip...........

cheers

[Wojo]

Thanks Katamarino

Thanks mate I'll check them out.......

[172driver]

If you can (although not sure how/if that works with the visa application), go and check them out in person. What looks great on a slick website may be not so fab once you see it. I don't know any of them, but as you are aiming for a PPL I'd probably stay clear of the big boys with multiple operations and stick to a smaller outfit.

Other than that, agree with Silvaire1, Corona has the almost perfect location. I could recommend a great school in the L.A. area, but unfortunately they are not SEVIS approved

[Hodja]

I can personally vouch for both Sunrise Aviation (Flight Training in Southern California--Sunrise Aviation) at KSNA and American Flyers (www.americanflyerssantamonica.net) at KSMO. Both are 1st class options and SEVIS approved. (albeit pricey)

(btw, too bad neither Angel City Flyers nor Justice Aviation are SEVIS approved - equally excellent schools; also looks like Channel Islands Aviation isn't SEVIS qualified either)

Not sure I'd rate a non-towered field as a more appropriate location for initial flight training; I'd pick a Class D or C towered field w/full ATC anyday. But that's a separate discussion.

At any rate, I'll echo the previous poster: Check all the flight schools out in person beforehand, and do a full trial flight. When you find the one that's right for you, you'll know it immediately.

[Katamarino]

It's my understanding that CIA are SEVIS qualified; but it's worth double checking with them.

[Wojo]

Thanks Hodja

Yep a lot of good schools but unfortunately not on the approved list.

Thanks for your comments...and I will take your advice and do some intro flights to make up my mind

cheers

[Wojo]

Thanks 172driver

Your comments are much appreciate...thanks

[Hodja]

It's my understanding that CIA are SEVIS qualified; but it's worth double checking with them.

No, they're not on the list.

Study in the States - School Search

[172driver]

This whole SEVIS approval is a real bummer, as it severely limits your choices.

Btw, Wojo, I see you are located in Brisbane, any reason not to do an Oz license? I know it's pretty expensive there (have flown in QLD), but at least the wx is certainly not a factor!

[Wojo]

Hi 172Driver

You are dead right......current costs in getting a Private Pilots Licence in Australia is around $18000.00...yep that's right $18k. I can go to the states, live in a hotel, get my Private Pilot certificate and it would still be nearly half the cost of learning to fly in Australia...sad but true.....

But I love the states anyway so doing some learning and a having a holiday all in one...sounds good to me.

Cheers

[172driver]

Makes sense, the hire rates in OZ are eye watering

In any case, flying in the US and in CA in particular is great, I'm sure you'll love it! Just take your time in finding the right place, AFAIK you cannot switch schools once you've started on the M1/SEVIS program. Not sure about this, though, better check it out.

[Flyguy2012]

I have flown at Fly Corona before and they are very helpful, great fleet and great staff. I would recommend them.

[IFly0toATPL]

Guys, did you eventually do time building at Fly Corona? I would love to fly some hours in California and they seem cheap and interesting.
Thanks