Flying Schools in California - San Francisco
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: glendale
at one time I would tell you to check both palo alto airport and san carlos airport.
there are certain class b problems with airspace, but do go down there and look around for yourself.
concord's buchanan field might be worth a look too.
sadly, you will have to drive at least half an hour to find an airfield with general aviation schools.
you might try half moon bay too.
I envy those wanting to learn to fly in Ohio, just ride your bike to a little airfield and start flying. SF is one of the toughest areas to learn to fly in.
After all, you can't go to SFO and expect to take lessons!
there are certain class b problems with airspace, but do go down there and look around for yourself.
concord's buchanan field might be worth a look too.
sadly, you will have to drive at least half an hour to find an airfield with general aviation schools.
you might try half moon bay too.
I envy those wanting to learn to fly in Ohio, just ride your bike to a little airfield and start flying. SF is one of the toughest areas to learn to fly in.
After all, you can't go to SFO and expect to take lessons!
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: S Warwickshire
I don't have direct experience of any, but as I fly from that area am aware of many of them.
If you want to stay in the peninsula, then West Valley operate a large fleet out of PAO and SQL and probably offer the most flexibility. There are also good options at RHV and HWD.
If you don't mind the extra journey to LVK, then I have heard good reports about the Particles club (originally formed from Livermore Labs staff) and Attitude aviation if you want to sample something more exotic.
If you want to stay in the peninsula, then West Valley operate a large fleet out of PAO and SQL and probably offer the most flexibility. There are also good options at RHV and HWD.
If you don't mind the extra journey to LVK, then I have heard good reports about the Particles club (originally formed from Livermore Labs staff) and Attitude aviation if you want to sample something more exotic.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 93
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From: USA
Thanks - but looking to do the Atp check ride in a DA42. Plenty of schools with DA42s on east coast but oddly seemingly none on west coast.
Multi-Engine Training in the Twin Diamond DA42-NG | Scenario Based, Real World Flight Instruction
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 447
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From: london
Don't know any DA42 but Oakland has an ATP school with a seneca, I just did some IR training there in their 172 and saw some of the ATP training/checkride debrief. Looked ok.
Golden Gate
I hear good things about West Valley, but I liked Advantage Aviation at KPAO, and have flown with them recently and had a great time. Just what you'd hope for from a rental club.
Golden Gate
I hear good things about West Valley, but I liked Advantage Aviation at KPAO, and have flown with them recently and had a great time. Just what you'd hope for from a rental club.
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
From: ask me tomorrow
Got my private at West Valley and although they have shrunk in size I don't recommend them. Try Oakland Flyers at OAK north field. Decent selection of aircraft and good instructors. The benefit of flying out of there is that you learn class C airspace from the beginning, not to mention SFO Bravo which overlies OAK airspace. Multiple runways and heavy iron add to the learning experience. If you want to get all your ratings to fly professionally then go ATP in Hayward. Their fleet is small from what I see out there but if they are like other bigger ATPs then that's what you want- get it done and out of the way. The reality is that the real experience comes after all the ratings.
