DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
An Amazing Experience with Essence Flight Academy and CFI Joseph!! Flying with them was such a memorable experience! From the moment I arrived, everything...
Van Nuys Airport · KVNY
Premium Private Pilot Program: $22,500
Eighty logged hours and twenty hours of ground school — the most flight time before your checkride of any package we sell. For people who would rather arrive at the checkride over-prepared than exactly prepared. All three tiers are compared on the private pilot training page.
$22,500complete private pilot package
80 hrs70 aircraft + 10 simulator
20 hrsground school included
5.0 ★70 reviews
Who It Is For
Twice The FAA Minimum, On Purpose
Forty hours is the legal floor for a private pilot certificate. Eighty is what this package buys. Nobody needs eighty hours to pass a checkride, and we will say that plainly — this tier is not sold as a requirement.
It is sold for three situations. People who fly infrequently and know it. People who want the extra hours spent on things a checkride does not test but a real trip does — night, weather decisions, longer cross-countries. And people who simply do not want to be watching an hour meter while they learn.
What Is In It
Seventy Hours In The Aeroplane, Ten In The Simulator
Seventy hours in a single-engine aeroplane and ten in the Redbird full-motion simulator, for eighty logged hours in total. Sixty of them are dual instruction. Twenty hours are ground school — more than six times what the Standard package includes. Books, charts, logbook, materials and checkride preparation with a mock oral are all included.
The ten simulator hours are where the uncomfortable things get practised: engine failures, instrument approaches, and the weather you would sensibly refuse in the aircraft. The Redbird MCX is FAA-approved and full-motion, and the time is loggable within FAA limits.
The Money
What $22,500 Does And Does Not Cover
1
Fixed At Enrolment
The program price is fixed when you enroll and does not move for the duration of that program. Everything above is included in the figure — aircraft, instructor, ground school, briefings and materials.
2
Financing From $2,500 Down
Through Stratus Financial or an in-house payment plan. On this tier that works out at ten instalments of $1,950 a month. The financing page has the full terms.
3
Your Discovery Flight Comes Off It
A discovery flight from $229 is credited in full against the program when you enroll within twenty-four hours of landing.
4
Two Things Sit Outside It
The FAA knowledge test, sat at an approved testing centre, and the examiner's fee for the checkride, which is paid to the designated pilot examiner rather than to the school.
FAQ
Premium Private Pilot Program: Common Questions
No. The FAA minimum is forty hours and the certificate is identical whichever package you fly. This tier buys room, not a requirement. If you can fly two or three times a week, the Standard package at $10,900 will very probably finish you and we would rather say so.
Twenty logged hours and ten hours of ground school. Comprehensive is $15,900 for sixty logged hours with ten hours of ground school. Premium is $22,500 for eighty logged hours with twenty hours of ground school and sixty hours of dual instruction.
Single-engine aircraft from our own fleet — Cessna, Piper and Diamond — all owned and maintained by the school rather than leased back from private owners. The fleet page lists every airframe on the line.
Yes, within the limits the FAA sets. The Redbird MCX is an FAA-approved full-motion device, not a desktop trainer, and it is where emergencies and instrument work are rehearsed before they are flown.
Talk to us before you enroll and we will help you pick honestly. Program prices are fixed at enrolment for the duration of that program, so the sensible time to get this right is at the start rather than halfway through.
Talk To Us
Eighty Hours Starts With Sixty Minutes
Fly a discovery flight over Los Angeles first, hands on the controls, and the full $229 comes off the program if you enroll within twenty-four hours. Call (818) 290-8249 and we will talk you through all three tiers in ten minutes.
Discovery Flight For One
$229
60 Minutes, Hands On The Controls, Fully Loggable
Book A Discovery Flight
Or Call (818) 290-8249
No Cost, No Obligation
Get The Full Training Plan And Price Sheet
The three private pilot packages, what each one includes, the financing options and a realistic timeline built around how often you can actually fly. Sent to you in one email. Nobody will pressure you.
- Every package price, itemised
- Financing from $2,500 down
- A timeline based on your schedule
Loved On Google And Yelp
Five Hundred Reviews. 4.9 Stars.
More five-star reviews than any other flight school in Los Angeles — written by the people who learned to fly here, not by us.
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
SAFETY FIRST
★★★★★
Very safety and detail oriented. Pre-flight briefing explained everything there was. To my knowledge, this flight school is exceptional in their ability.
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
I can't recommend Essence Flight School enough! The staff is awesome, and the whole vibe is just really positive and cool. Huge shoutout to Anthony, our...
INSTRUMENT RATING
★★★★★
I'm currently working on my instrument rating at essence, and it has been Fantastic so far, my instructor is Alex and he is very knowledgeable and patient...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I recently had the chance to take my first-ever discovery flight, and it was nothing short of amazing! From the moment I stepped into the cockpit, the...
KIDS FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
Had a great experience with this company. My son has been very into airplanes and his flight simulator on the computer so for his 11th birthday treated...
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
Essence Flight Academy is an outstanding place to learn how to fly. From the start, I felt comfortable and confident thanks to the professionalism and...
SUNSET CIRRUS
★★★★★
It was a great flight! I did a sunset flight and Alex let us fly an awesome. Website was easy to book, and the plane itself was really fun to fly...
HANDS-ON FLIGHT
★★★★★
One of the best flight experiences I've ever done! If you're looking for a fun flight, beautiful views, and even taking control of the plane, Essence...
FLYING LESSON
★★★★★
We had a great flying lesson with Ralph and came away with a much better understanding of both the aircraft and the principles of flight. Ralph is a...
SKY PROPOSAL
★★★★★
Unforgettable private flight with Essence—smooth journey and a magical moment as I proposed to my girl in the skies! Highly recommend!
KIDS LUXURY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I got 2 luxury discovery flights for my kids. I wanted them to have the experience of flying. Our instructor Alex was amazing he made sure they feel...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
This was my first flight at Essence and it will be one I will never forget for several reasons. Joseph was an awesome instructor, demonstrating...
HONEYMOON SURPRISE
★★★★★
Last minute booking to surprise my wife on our honeymoon. She had no experience with flying and was scared of flying, but Alex was very easygoing and knew...
FULL-MOTION SIM
★★★★★
Amazing flight school in van nuys airport. I have been a student here for the past few months and i could not be happier. I started doing a lot of...
DISCOVERY FOR TWO
★★★★★
I booked a Discovery Flight for Two for my girlfriend's birthday and it was the perfect gift for her. She couldn't have been more excited to get to...
SIMULATORS
★★★★★
Very professional and great airplanes. I love the flight simulators. The pricing is very fair compared to any other flight school
FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
My experience at Essence Flight School was absolutely incredible! I have to admit, I was super nervous at first because flying in a small plane seemed...
NEW STUDENT
★★★★★
I recently joined Essence flight school after my consultation with Alex. Their team is very honest about what to expect the pricing and they were...
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Anthony was an INCREDIBLE instructor and it was SO fun to enjoy my first time on a plane at Essence Flight Academy! The atmosphere was super chill and it...
TEEN FIRST LESSON
★★★★★
We gifted our teenage son his first flying lesson. He was so excited! Alex greeted us and gave a reassuring brief that made us all feel comfortable and at...
GIFT FLIGHT
★★★★★
Great experience with first ever discovery flight! Would highly recommend! Got it as a gift for my dad and he had a great time flying!
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Flying is my husband's hobby and I was incredibly anxious and apprehensive about the discovery flight. However, I felt completely safe and at ease once we...
PPL → INSTRUMENT
★★★★★
I enrolled as student at Essence Flight School in July, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. I got my Private Pilot License here, and I'm now...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
An Amazing Experience with Essence Flight Academy and CFI Joseph!! Flying with them was such a memorable experience! From the moment I arrived, everything...
SAFETY FIRST
★★★★★
Very safety and detail oriented. Pre-flight briefing explained everything there was. To my knowledge, this flight school is exceptional in their ability.
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
I can't recommend Essence Flight School enough! The staff is awesome, and the whole vibe is just really positive and cool. Huge shoutout to Anthony, our...
INSTRUMENT RATING
★★★★★
I'm currently working on my instrument rating at essence, and it has been Fantastic so far, my instructor is Alex and he is very knowledgeable and patient...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I recently had the chance to take my first-ever discovery flight, and it was nothing short of amazing! From the moment I stepped into the cockpit, the...
KIDS FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
Had a great experience with this company. My son has been very into airplanes and his flight simulator on the computer so for his 11th birthday treated...
LEARN TO FLY
★★★★★
Essence Flight Academy is an outstanding place to learn how to fly. From the start, I felt comfortable and confident thanks to the professionalism and...
SUNSET CIRRUS
★★★★★
It was a great flight! I did a sunset flight and Alex let us fly an awesome. Website was easy to book, and the plane itself was really fun to fly...
HANDS-ON FLIGHT
★★★★★
One of the best flight experiences I've ever done! If you're looking for a fun flight, beautiful views, and even taking control of the plane, Essence...
FLYING LESSON
★★★★★
We had a great flying lesson with Ralph and came away with a much better understanding of both the aircraft and the principles of flight. Ralph is a...
SKY PROPOSAL
★★★★★
Unforgettable private flight with Essence—smooth journey and a magical moment as I proposed to my girl in the skies! Highly recommend!
KIDS LUXURY FLIGHT
★★★★★
I got 2 luxury discovery flights for my kids. I wanted them to have the experience of flying. Our instructor Alex was amazing he made sure they feel...
DISCOVERY FLIGHT
★★★★★
This was my first flight at Essence and it will be one I will never forget for several reasons. Joseph was an awesome instructor, demonstrating...
HONEYMOON SURPRISE
★★★★★
Last minute booking to surprise my wife on our honeymoon. She had no experience with flying and was scared of flying, but Alex was very easygoing and knew...
FULL-MOTION SIM
★★★★★
Amazing flight school in van nuys airport. I have been a student here for the past few months and i could not be happier. I started doing a lot of...
DISCOVERY FOR TWO
★★★★★
I booked a Discovery Flight for Two for my girlfriend's birthday and it was the perfect gift for her. She couldn't have been more excited to get to...
SIMULATORS
★★★★★
Very professional and great airplanes. I love the flight simulators. The pricing is very fair compared to any other flight school
FIRST FLIGHT
★★★★★
My experience at Essence Flight School was absolutely incredible! I have to admit, I was super nervous at first because flying in a small plane seemed...
NEW STUDENT
★★★★★
I recently joined Essence flight school after my consultation with Alex. Their team is very honest about what to expect the pricing and they were...
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Anthony was an INCREDIBLE instructor and it was SO fun to enjoy my first time on a plane at Essence Flight Academy! The atmosphere was super chill and it...
TEEN FIRST LESSON
★★★★★
We gifted our teenage son his first flying lesson. He was so excited! Alex greeted us and gave a reassuring brief that made us all feel comfortable and at...
GIFT FLIGHT
★★★★★
Great experience with first ever discovery flight! Would highly recommend! Got it as a gift for my dad and he had a great time flying!
FIRST-TIME FLYER
★★★★★
Flying is my husband's hobby and I was incredibly anxious and apprehensive about the discovery flight. However, I felt completely safe and at ease once we...
PPL → INSTRUMENT
★★★★★
I enrolled as student at Essence Flight School in July, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. I got my Private Pilot License here, and I'm now...
See Discovery Flight Details — $229
Reviews shown verbatim. Many name Essence Flight Academy — the same school, same team, same hangar, before the rebrand.