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Flight Training

Overview of Courses, Licenses & Ratings

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AeroDynamic Aviation has been providing high quality flight training since 1960. We pride ourselves on teaching students the art of flying safely and proficiently. Our instructors are experienced pilots who teach for their love of flying, passing that passion on to their students. Many of our students have gone on to successful careers as aviators, from airline pilots to airshow performers.

Introductory Flights

Most students begin by taking an introductory flight in one of our airplanes. This first flight experience typically lasts one hour, but it can be however long you would like. You will get a guided tour of the airplane and its controls before taking off for a short flight around the airport or further afield. You will have the opportunity to fly the airplane yourself under the watchful eye of one of our experienced flight instructors. We also offer introductory aerobatic flights for the thrill seekers. Whichever way you start, beware…aviation is very addicting 😉

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Gift Certificates

We offer gift certificates for a variety of flights and prices including introductory flights, aerobatic thrills, and panoramic flights around San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge and Monterey Bay.

Flight Training

AeroDynamic Aviation offers pilot training from beginner to airline and corporate levels. Whether in our airplanes or yours, we can take your flying to any level.

How do I become a pilot? An overview of pilot's licenses
Great question, one that is asked frequently. The answer depends on what you want to do with your flying. Pleasure flyers generally get their Sport or Private license. Career-minded pilots start with their Private license and move on to other ratings, endorsements, and licenses.

Here is a breakdown of pilots’ licenses.

Sport Pilot: If you’d like to save some time and money, or if you are concerned you won’t pass the medical exam, this license is for you. The minimum flight time required is 20 hours; however, it usually takes a bit more. There are limitations with any license, but the big ones for sport pilots are that you can only fly LSA (light sport aircraft) and you are restricted to carrying one passenger. It also restricts you for further licenses or ratings.

If you are looking to fly more than one person, interested in flying in the clouds, or considering a career in aviation, you will want to start with the Private Pilot license. Below we will take you step-by-step through the normal training progression for a career in aviation.

Step 1 – Private Pilot License: Most people begin with this license in a single-engine airplane, such as a Cessna 172 or Citabria. This first license is a prerequisite to continue on to other pilot certificates. You will acquire a minimum of 40 hours; however, the national average is 65-85 hours. We have our own syllabus built for 50 hours. Estimated cost varies, but based on the national average you can expect between $9,500-$12,000.

Step 2 – Instrument Rating: After learning to fly and all the components that go with it, next you’ll learn how to fly in the clouds! Although it is hard work, the reward is great – stunning views and a strong sense of accomplishment. The minimum time of simulated or actual instrument flying is 40 hours. We have simulators in Monterey and San Jose, which are great training options that help reduce cost.

Step 3 – Commercial Pilot License: After a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, you can earn your commercial certificate. To be hired as a pilot, you need this license. If you don’t have an instrument rating prior to this license, you will have some restrictions on commercial flying. For commercial pilot training there is much more focus on ground work, so be prepared to study the fine points of aircraft systems, performance, weight & balance, high altitude operations, Federal Regulations, and decision making. The air work part is quite fun as you’ll learn performance maneuvers such as chandelle, lazy 8, steep spiral and more.

Career options then are:

Flight Instructor: The initial flight instructor (CFI) certificate can be obtained immediately after you receive your commercial pilot license, with a bit more training to fly from the right seat. If you know you will be going on to CFI, you can combine Commercial & CFI training to complete both simultaneously. As with your commercial license, you can add ratings to your flight instructor certificate, CFII and MEI, instrument instructor and multi-engine instructor.

Multi-engine Rating: If you plan to fly a twin a some point in your career, you should add your multi-engine rating after your commercial checkride. Training takes approximately 10 hours of flight time, but this varies based on your recency and study habits.

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP): To fly for part 121 airline or part 135 charter companies, you’ll generally need the ATP license. First you must acquire 1500 hours of flight time. In addition, new regulations were instituted a few years ago that require multi-engine ATP applicants to take a training course before they can take the written exams.

Endorsements can be added throughout your training when you want to fly more interesting aircraft. A few of these endorsements are as follows:

  • High-Performance Aircraft: You’ll need training and an instructor’s sign off to fly an aircraft with more than 200 horsepower.
  • Complex Aircraft: For commercial pilot training, you are required to fly a minimum of 10 hours and complete some of the checkride in a complex airplane. The endorsement consists of training you on complex systems – constant-speed propeller, retractable landing gear, and flaps.
  • Tailwheel Aircraft: AeroDynamic Aviation is one of the few flight schools in the country still training people in the art of flying taildraggers, including beginning Private and Sport pilots. For those of you who have yet to receive their tailwheel endorsement, we have a full syllabus and very qualified instructors. Expect 10-15 hours of flight training.
Ground School
Ground School classes for Sport/Private occur on a regular basis at our San Jose location. This course covers much of the knowledge and decision making required for the checkride, with indepth coverage of ACS tasks tested during the checkride. Ground school allows you time to interact with other pilots in training at a much more efficient cost.
Class Schedule
Sport Pilot
LSA, light sport, sport pilot, flight training, california
The Sport Pilot’s License is the newest license available. With lower requirements for training and no requirement for a medical certificate, it does carry some limitations. We have Sport Pilot training programs for our Evektor SportStar and Aeronca Champ that will have you flying solo in no time! This also qualifies many for UAV jobs.     Read more
Private Pilot - Cessna
Many pilots begin flight training in a Cessna 172. This versatile airplane is fun to fly and will teach you all of the fundamental skills to attain your Private Pilot’s License. Capable of carrying up to 4 people, this is a great traveling airplane for trips with friends or family and with many destinations to visit in California and the US, renters will enjoy a variety of instrument panels to choose from.     Read more
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Private Pilot - Tailwheel

Taildragger Fun

We can teach you to fly your friends or family to exciting places and get you started on your flying career. Tailwheel aircraft can be more challenging, but they are also more rewarding for developing your skills as a pilot. We are one of the few schools in the nation who still teach people how to fly taildraggers!     Read more
Instrument Rating
After you’ve earned your Private Pilot’s license, the next challenge is learning to fly in the clouds. Training involves flying under a “hood” with your instructor coaching you to scan the instrument panel and learning techniques for navigating in today’s national airspace. We have simulators and a variety of aircraft to train you for many types of instrument panels and GPS.      Read more
acual IFR
Commercial Pilot
Commercial pilot, commercial training, complex, retractable gear
After receiving your Private license and Instrument rating, a Commercial Pilot’s License is the next step toward your career in aviation. You will transition to a complex aircraft with retractable gear, constant speed prop, and flaps. Once attained, you can be hired as a pilot for many jobs such as skydiving pilot, cargo pilot, and even flight instructor with a bit more training.     Read more
Multi-Engine Rating
Adding a multi-engine rating to your existing pilot’s license involves a checkride, but usually it is a relatively quick transition involving in-depth knowledge of systems, performance, weight & balance, emergencies, and navigation. You can add a multi-engine rating to your Private, Commercial, CFI or ATP certificate.     Read more
Tailwheel Endorsement
tailwheel, taildragger, flight training

Vintage aircraft! Tailwheel endorsements! Time building! Just plain fun! AeroDynamic is one of the few schools where taildraggers are half our large fleet. With Citabria, Cessna 170, Decathlon, and Stinson aircraft, we specialize in tailwheel training and rentals.    Read more

Aerobatics, spins, and upset recovery
Take your training to the next level! We offer full courses on upset recovery, spin, formation and aerobatic training. Whether you’re an accomplished pilot or brand new to aviation, we offer thrills for all. We can customize each course to your comfort or ability level.     Read more

aerobatics, acrobatics, inverted flight, flight training, california

Flight Instructor (CFI)
LSA, light sport, flight training, SportStar
A career as a flight instructor is one of the most rewarding in aviation. Shortly after or while completing your Commercial Pilot’s License, many pilots continue on to earn their Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) license. Giving the joy of aviation to others is priceless!     Read more
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
An ATP license is required for part 121 airlines or any aircraft requiring a type rating. You can choose between single-engine and/or multi-engine ATP license.     Read more
ATP, flight training, california
Mountain Flying
Flying in the mountains can be challenging and very rewarding. With the high Sierra Nevada Mountains close by, we offer a mountain flying course to a variety of airports including South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Mammoth and others.    Read more

We also offer:

  • Aircraft Rental
  • Insurance check-outs for most makes and models
  • Flight review
  • Instrument proficiency check
  • FAA Wings training - seminars and flight training

Prices and rates are subject to change without notice. All training and rentals are subject to the terms and conditions in the Renter's Agreement. Minimum 24 hours' notice required for cancellation or you may be charged for the rental time.

C Flight training, california, pilot, monterey, san jose, salinas, private pilot, tailwheelome fly with us in the beautiful San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas of California. Our flight school facilities are located at Reid Hillview airport in San Jose (KRHV), at the south end of San Francisco Bay, Salinas Municipal Airport (KSNS), and Monterey Regional Airport (KMRY). We offer ground and flight training for sport pilot, private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, multi-engine, ATP, CFI, tailwheel, aerobatics, and mountain flying.

Have a question? Ready to schedule a flight? Give us a call!

San Jose (408) 320-9614

Monterey/Salinas (831) 373-8320

You can also reach us via email with our Contact Form

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