Founded in 1961 as a flight school, the company now offers aircraft charters, sales, management and training. It's based at the Scottsdale Airport, nine miles from the Deer Valley Airport. Extreme weather rarely affects flight operations, allowing pilot training to continue throughout the year. Getting a private pilot's license is the first step in flight training. Sawyer Aviation is a Federal Aviation Administration-licensed flight training school teaching the ground and in-flight curriculum that leads to the FAA licensing exam.
Based at Deer Valley Airport, Westwind School of Aeronautics has been teaching people to fly since 1985. It offers both ground school and in-flight training. With 25 aircraft and two simulators, students can learn in an easy-to-fly small airplane or a more sophisticated glass-cockpit aircraft that contains the most advanced avionics. Instruction for private and commercial pilots is available, plus advanced flight training for those already holding a private pilot's license.
On the grounds of the Deer Valley Airport, TransPac Aviation Academy trains pilots for a career in commercial aviation. This is a full-time program five days a week and includes four days a week in the air. The curriculum includes ground school, in-flight operations and working with a simulator. Beginners as well as those holding a private pilot's license can enroll. The course takes 12 to 14 months to complete and prepares students for FAA testing.
Located in Scottsdale, adjacent to the Scottsdale Municipal Airport's runway and under 10 miles from Deer Valley Airport, Scottsdale Helicopter Services offers helicopter sales and rentals in addition to its flight school. A career as a helicopter pilot can lead to jobs as diverse as cattle herding and broadcasting. You must hold a private pilot's license to be certified as a helicopter pilot, in addition to taking helicopter-specific ground and in-flight training.