Flight Training in the San Francisco Bay Area
Learn to fly in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area with an experienced instructor.
I am a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), operating from Palo Alto Airport (KPAO). I've been flying in the Bay Area since 2001 and I've been an aircraft owner since 2016. After many years as an engineering leader in tech, I have taken up flight instruction as a second career. I look forward to helping you achieve your aviation goals, be that an initial pilot's certificate, commercial certificate, complex / high-performance endorsement, or flight review.
Learn to Fly
People have different motivations for learning to fly. Perhaps you are pursuing new career opportunities with a goal of becoming a commercial pilot. Or, like me, you crave the adventure, unique perspective, and travel flexibility of navigating your own aircraft. Whatever your motivation, your journey starts as a student pilot.
Earning a certificate to be "Pilot in Command" with the privilege to carry one or more passengers involves a few a stages.
- Pre-Solo - In this stage you learn how to control the airplane, get to and from the practice area, take-offs & landings, and basic radio communication with air traffic control. This stage culminates with the issuance of your student pilot certificate and your first solo flight.
- Solo & Cross-Country - Your training continues learning how to navigate safely to and from more distant airports. You will also learn how to handle emergencies, fly at night, and perform more advanced maneuvers.
- Practical Test Preparation - The final stage of your training is preparation for your practical test with an FAA designated pilot examiner. You will review everything you have previously learned while continuing to practice flying maneuvers and skills.
The minimum required "aeronautical experience" (flight training time) is 40 hours, though most people take 50-100 hours. When you start, it's best to plan for at least two sessions per week. As your training progresses, the frequency and length of lessons will change as you learn different things.
The Federal Aviation Administration defines the eligibilty requirements for student and private pilots:
- You can start training at any age
- You must be at least 16 years of age to solo as a student pilot
- You must be at least 17 years of age to take the final practical test to earn your private pilot certificate
- You must be able to read, speak, and write in English
- You must pass a medical examination admisistered
by a doctor who is an Aviation Medical Examiner
(AME).
* If this medical exam could be difficult, there is another option! A Sport Pilot only needs a valid US driver's license. - US Citizens will need to present proof of citizenship. Non-US citizens will need to obtain clearance from the US Department of Homeland Security Transportation Safety Administration. There is a website with a step-by-step procedure that I will help you navigate on your first lesson.
Taking an introductory flight is an ideal way to discover the joy of flight and learn more about the process of becoming a pilot.
A discovery flight takes about 2 hours of which about 30-45 minutes will be flying. The remaining time will be an on-the-ground briefing about the lesson, getting the aircraft ready for flight, and a tour of the flying club.
This is an estimate of the total cost of earning a private pilot certificate at one of the Palo Alto airport flight schools. Actual costs vary depending on choice of aircraft, examination fees, total hours flown, total instruction received, and calendar time.
| $ | Item | Quantity | Unit Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,750 | Flight Time in Cessna 172S with Garmin G1000 FAA minimum is 40 hours total time, but most people require 50-100 total time. At least 10 hours is solo, remainder with your instructor ("dual") |
50 hours | $215 / hour |
| $4,800 | Flight instruction | 40 hours | $120 / hour |
| $3,600 | Ground instruction | 30 hours | $120 / hour |
| $350 | Renter's Insurance Coverage $20,000 property damage coverage $250,000 / occurance & $25,000 / person liability coverage |
1 year | $350 |
| $300 | Medical Examination | 1 | $300 |
| $85 | Flying Club Initiation Fee | 1 | $85 |
| $1,036 | Flying Club Membership | 4 quarters | $259 / quarter |
| $500 | Books, Training Materials, and Logbook | $500 | |
| $1,020 | Noise Cancelling Headset | 1 | $1,020 |
| $749 | Apple iPad Mini 256GB WiFi + Cellular | 1 | $749 |
| $110 | Foreflight or Garmin Pilot Subscription | 12 months | $10.83 / month (Foreflight) $109.99 / year (Garmin Pilot) |
| $175 | FAA Knowledge Test | 1 | $175 |
| $1,500 | FAA Practical Test | 1 | $1,500 |
| About $25,000 Total | |||
Contact Me
Location:
Palo Alto Airport
1925 Embarcadero Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(other airports by appointment)
Email:
