California Flight Center is located at the Long Beach Airport in Long Beach. It offers fixed wing, helicopter and aerobatic training. California Flight Center requires both a written and practical exam to complete the program. The instructors allows new students to practice flying maneuvers almost immediately as the center emphasizes hands-on training. Once a student is experienced with flying, he can take an aerobatics class. Aerobatics instructors teach pilots spins, emergency maneuvers and inverted flight.
Vista Air is at the Whiteman Airport in Pacoima. Vista Air uses only the latest Cessna models for instruction. It requires a medical check and proof of liability insurance before training begins. The instructors have years of experience and flexible schedules. Vista Air offers students the ability to take both written and practical tests on its grounds. The school offers a special discount for new students who pay for their instruction in full. As of 2011, the price is $7,138 for private licenses.
Seaside Aviation in Santa Monica does not offer instruction in its own aircraft. Students must either purchase or rent an aircraft. The center offers private-pilot license training, instrument training, Cirrus transition training and Cirrus recurrent training. Seaside Aviation's instructors can teach on both Cessna and Cirrus planes. Instructors take a hands-on approach to teaching. Seaside Aviation estimates a private pilot's license will cost $13,405.
Take Flight in San Diego offers instruction at three different airports in the San Diego area, although its instructors are willing to provide private lessons in almost any location. Take Flight has a fleet of 35 planes. Instructors can teach students in a Cessna or Cirrus aircraft. Take Flight San Diego offers a 30-day private license course. Instead of spending an average of 70 hours in instruction, this accelerated course lets students earn their license in one month. As of 2011, the 30-day course costs $4,500.