San Diego is a beautiful city in California state that is famous for its pristine beaches, parks, and pleasant climate. It is also one of the best destinations in the United States for flight training.
San Diego features rugged snow-capped mountains, colorful deserts, long white ocean beaches, and other geographical diversities that make it challenging for trainee pilots to fly aircraft.
Talking about flight schools in San Diego, you can find more than 20 training centers that offer various flight training programs ranging from Private Pilot to Commercial Airline Pilot Programs.
In this blog, we have presented almost all the flight schools in San Diego with their location and available training programs.
Top Flight Schools in San Diego
Here are the top flight schools in San Diego where different flight training programs are available.
ATP Flight School
ATP Flight School is one of the top flight schools in San Diego and is also known as the largest flight school in the United States with over 71+ training centers.
With over 35 years of professional flight training experience, ATP is producing competent pilots and fulfilling the demands of regional and major airlines since its establishment. It was founded in 1984 and currently features 71 training centers in different cities.
ATP Flight School holds 71 training centers and one of them is located in John J Montgomery Dr, San Diego.
It offers various flight training programs including Airline Career Pilot Program, Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Program, ATP-CTP, Airbus A320 Type Rating, Private Pilot Program, and so on.
The most popular training program offered by ATP is the Airline Career Pilot Program. This training program allows students to become professional airline pilots in a structured way starting from zero experience.
Flight Training Program Cost at ATP Flight School
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Starting with Zero Experience | $91,995 |
| Starting with Credit for Private Pilot | $71,995 |
| Private Pilot Finish-Up | $9,995 |
| 100+ Hour Multi-Engine Option | Additional $11,000 |
| ATP CTP | $3,795 (7 Days) |
| Airbus A320 7-Day Type Rating | $8,495 |
Coast Flight Training
Coast Flight Training is also one of the major flight schools in San Diego that offers various pilot training programs led by high-ranking military officers. It has established partnerships with big airlines including Envoy Air/American Airline Group, SkyWest Airlines, MESA Airlines, United Express, and American Airlines.
The major flight training programs offered by Coast Flight Training are Private Pilot Licence, Instrument Flight Rating, Commercial Flight Rating, Commercial Multi-Engine Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument, Multi-Engine Instructor, and Rotor Transition Program.
Flight Training Program Cost at Coast Flight Training
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Private Pilot | $16,669 |
| Instrument Flight Rating | $13,449 |
| Commercial Flight Rating | $13,449 |
| Commercial Multi-Engine Instructor | $9,680 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) | $7,350 |
| Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument (CFII) | $4,100 |
| Mult-Engine Instructor | $7,200 |
Learn to Fly San Diego
Learn to Fly San Diego is also among the best flight schools in San Diego that is owned and operated by expert FAA Certified Flight Instructors. It offers various flight training programs ranging from Private Pilot to Airline Transport Pilot.
The available flight training courses at Learn to Fly San Diego are Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Single-Engine, Commercial Pilot Multi-Engine, Multi-Engine Add-on, Single-Engine Add-on, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument (CFII), Certified Multi-Engine Flight Instructor (MEI), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Tailwheel Endorsement.
The training cost at Learn to Fly San Diego starts at $10,000 for Private Pilot Program and increases further depending on the course type and aircraft used.
Altitude Helicopters
Altitude Helicopters is an FAA-approved Part 61 Training Center where helicopter flight training programs are available. It is located in Brown Field Airport, a Class D airport with fewer aircraft movement.
The helicopter training courses available at Altitude Helicopters are Private Pilot License, Commercial Pilot License, Instrument Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor.
Flex Air
Flex Air is another best flight school in San Diego which began its service in 2016 and enhanced further in Amarillo, Texas.
Flex Air works in close collaboration with various airlines for placement opportunities. The partner airlines include Endeavor Air, SkyWest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, PSA Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Horizon Air, Atlas Air, Republic Airways, and Air Wisconsin.
The available training programs are Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Single Engine, Commercial Muti-Engine, Certified Flight Instructor, and Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument.
American Aviation Academy
American Aviation Academy (AAA) is one of the best flight schools in San Diego that is FAA Part 141 as well as Part 61 approved. Besides, it is among the few flight schools in the United States to get certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Quality-oriented flight training, EASA Training programs, Assistance for international students, a wide range of training aircraft, and EASA Approval are the major features of AAA.
The training programs available at AAA are Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, FAA Career Path, EASA Private Pilot, EASA Commercial Pilot License, EASA ATPL Career Path, and various other custom courses.
High Flight Aviation
High Flight Aviation is also one of the best flight schools in San Diego. This training academy specializes in Accelerated Flight Training for a variety of certificates, ratings, and aircraft.
The available training courses at High Flight Aviation in San Diego are Private Pilot Course, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor, Mult-Engine Add-on, and Instrument Rating.
Flight Training Program Cost at High Flight Aviation
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Private Pilot | $12,000 – $15,000 |
| Commercial Certificate | $4,500 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (Initial) | $5,000 |
| Muti-Engine Add-on | $2,700 |
| Instrument Rating | $6,300 |
Corporate Helicopters
Corporate Helicopters is a helicopter flight training academy located in San Diego that also offers helicopter charter services, aerial tours, aerial filming, and sales.
Private Pilot Certificate, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Aircraft Transition, Full Down Autorotation Training, Mountain Flying and Aircraft Refresher Training are the programs available at Corporate Helicopters.
Helicopter Training Program Cost at High Flight Aviation
| TRAINING PROGRAM | Robinson R22 Training Cost | Robinson R44 Training Cost |
| Private Pilot | $16,668 | $26,160 |
| Commercial Certificate | $12,918 | $21,558 |
| Commercial Pilot | $53,958 | $94,998 |
| Commercial Pilot (Add-on) | $18,898 | $32,938 |
| Instrument Rating | – | $17,528 |
| Instrument Rating (Add-on) | – | $11,273 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) | $8,848 | $14,788 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Add-on | $8,528 | $14,468 |
| Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII) | – | $11,533 |
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Other flight schools in San Diego
San Diego Flight Training International
Location: Aero Dr Suite, San Diego
Available Courses: Private Pilot Certificate, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Multi-engine Rating, Commercial Multi-engine Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII), and Multi-Engine Instructor.
Enhanced Flight Instruction
Location: John J Montgomery Dr, San Diego
Available Courses: Private Pilot Certificate, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Multi-engine Rating, Commercial Multi-engine Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII), Flight Review and Multi-Engine Instructor.
First Flight Corporation
Location: Curran St, San Diego
Available Courses: Private Pilot Training, Rental Checkout, Flight Review, Mexico Checkout, High-Performance Endorsement, Instrument Training, Commercial Training, Flight Instructor Training, and Tailwheel Endorsement.
Conclusion
San Diego is one of the best destinations for flight training because you can expect over 300 days of favorable weather. You don’t need to worry about weather-related delays and poor flying conditions.
Furthermore, there are various top-quality flight schools in San Diego that offer varieties of pilot training programs ranging from Private Pilot to Airline Transport Pilot Programs.
Accelerated Pilot Training is the most popular and professional pilot program offered by various flight schools in San Diego. You can take this course and become a professional airline pilot in a short period of time.
