Santa Monica Flyers: The best flight school Los Angeles has to offer! Get started in aviation today!

As the best flight school in Los Angeles, Santa Monica Flyers provides an abundant variety of flight training programs, including Private Pilot and Instrument Rating ground school classes. See how we can help you get in the air today!

Come fly the finest, most affordable aircraft in Santa Monica.

Welcome to Santa Monica Flyers: home of Southern California’s premier flight school and aircraft rental center. Our fleet includes the most advanced aircraft available to provide world-class flight training that’s safe, fuel-efficient, and ultra-modern. Our friendly and professional flight instructors will guide you through learning to fly, all while making the process easy, fun, and safe. Santa Monica Flyers is perfect for all experience levels, from first-time flyers to experienced pilots.

We’re also the only aviation school in Santa Monica offering Sport pilot licenses in 20 hours, not 40.

Our Flight School is also proud to be a Cirrus Training Center

As a Cirrus Training Center, Santa Monica Flyers is part of a world-class global network of elite flight schools that specialize in Cirrus flight instruction. These training centers provide Cirrus rentals for pilots and are required to have CSIP/TCI-certified instructors who have gone above and beyond to complete their flight instruction training to a degree that exceeds industry standards.

This is Our Mission

Our mission is to provide the highest quality of flight training in a community-driven and dynamic learning environment, using safe, modern, and reliable aircraft.

I earned my sport license at SMF. My instructor was fantastic to fly with. I was more than prepared for exams (scored 95% - humble brag), and the school has well-maintained planes, a great location, and friendly staff. Their fleet of LSAs is easy to book with solid availability. Highly recommend SMF to any aspiring student or renter!

Whether you already have your pilot’s license and want to begin training toward an airline career, you are a first-time flyer looking for instruction, or you want to fly for fun, we can cater to all your needs.

Our Fleet

We are proud to provide our flyers with an exceptional fleet of aircraft that allows you to fly in style and in a budget-friendly way. Depending on the certificate you are training for, planes range from lightweight 2-seater SportCruisers to the iconic Cessna 172 to premium Cirrus aircraft for pilots looking to maximize their time in the sky. Our full range of aircraft are available to trainees looking to complete flight hours, as well as licensed renters who want to take a joyride in the sky.

Light Sport Aircraft in Santa Monica Flight School Los Angeles CA

Santa Monica Flyers was founded to bring the finest light sport aircraft (LSA) available on the market to the Los Angeles basin. 

2-seater light sport aircraft (LSA) like our SportCruisers is a great way to take to the sky while maximizing savings and reducing total time in flight training while enjoying excellent maneuverability and safety.

Cessna Airplane Santa Monica Flight School Los Angeles CA

Cessnas are reliable, roomy, and powerful. The 4-seater Cessna 172 is a classic training aircraft available for new pilots or renters looking to fly an extremely useful and reliable airplane. Also, our retractable-gear Cessna 172R offers the power of a 200-horsepower engine while enjoying higher cruise speeds.

Cessna rental Flight School Los Angeles CA

Our Cirrus aircraft are elite, high-performance planes that provide the ultimate level of comfort, style, and security in the sky. While initially more technically challenging, Cirrus planes are adaptable and made to suit all levels of experience. The experience of training in the Cirrus is unlike any other program, sure to make the best pilots in the sky.

Our FAA Certified Flight Instructors

Whoever said the sky was the limit had never been in the sky before. Through world-class instruction and hands-on training programs, our instructors help you reach your aviation goals. No matter which aircraft you’re looking to take off in, we will help you fly in style and choose the right learning path for your needs.

Training Programs

At Santa Monica Flyers, we understand that not every flyer is after the same goal, which is why we offer an abundant range of certifications and training with different aircraft. With a certified flight instructor, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. We even offer group ground school classes for the private pilot and instrument rating. Browse our different types of certificates or get in touch with one of our support staff to book your intro flight with us today 310-800-8050

A sport pilot certificate allows you to fly light-sport aircraft without the need for an FAA medical certificate and only requires that the pilot pass basic training and the knowledge+practical test.

The most common certificate, a private pilot license, allows you to fly most single-engine airplanes, day or night. Whether you want to take solo joyrides or if you’re looking to move up the ranks to commercial or airline transport pilot, a private pilot license is a necessity for basic training. Learn how to become a pilot in Los Angeles today!

An instrument rating allows pilots to fly properly equipped aircraft under instrument meteorological conditions, relying solely on their devices rather than visual reference. It is also one of the most critical training a pilot can receive to increase safety.

Trainees must at least hold a private pilot certificate to be eligible.

A commercial rating, or CPL, is perfect for private pilot certificate holders who want to take their love of aircraft to the next level, making it a new career path. A commercial rating allows pilots to operate an aircraft for compensation.

Those certified as Airline Transport Pilots (ATP) are authorized to act as pilots in command on scheduled air carrier aircraft under the FAA’s General Operating and Flight Rules.

For individuals who hold a private pilot certificate and have logged enough flight hours, a CFI-S is the perfect next step in your career to instruct new sports pilots.

For individuals who hold a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating, the certificated flight instructor certificate, or CFI-A, is for pilots who want to take their career to the next level and become an instructor.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Pilot?

No, it is not required to hold a degree in another field – related or otherwise – to become a pilot, no matter if you want to become a private, sport, or commercial airline pilot. It is, however, not uncommon for potential employers to make holding a degree a recommended criterion of the hiring process.

How Long Does It Take to Get 1,500 Flight Hours?

It typically takes about two-three years to gain the 1,500 flight hours required to become an airline transport pilot (ATP). 

Sport pilots and private pilots, however, are not subject to as many hours to receive their license. At Santa Monica Flyers, we offer pilot licenses in only 20 hours through world-class instruction and hands-on training.

Book Your Intro Flight Today

Are you ready to book your intro flight with us and learn how to fly with some of the best
flight instructors in and around Los Angeles?

Get in touch with our support staff today to get started and get ready to take your first flight!

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