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.
Private Pilot Course · Van Nuys (KVNY)
Private Pilot Training
Your Private Pilot License at Van Nuys — first flight to checkride in 2–4 months, or about 30 days on a full-time accelerated schedule.
★★★★★
5.0 Google
100+ Google reviews
Single-engine from $179/hr (package rate)
Program Snapshot · Standard PPL
Enrolling Now
Tuition From
$10,400
All-in, financing available
Flight Time
40 hrs
One-on-one instruction
Timeline
2–4 mo
~30 days full-time accelerated
FAA Minimum
40 hrs
Most finish in 50–60
Limited-Time Back to School Offer
$500 OFF Every Private Pilot Program
Back to School enrollment — ends October 31.
Every discovery flight credits 100% toward your training when you enroll within 24 hours.
Claim $500 Off →Offer ends in
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Learn To Fly At Van Nuys
Private Pilot Training Near You At Van Nuys Airport — Affordable, Safe & Advanced
If you are working out how to get your private pilot license in Los Angeles, here is what training with Los Angeles Flight School at Van Nuys Airport involves. As a flight school that owns every aircraft it trains in, we offer a modern fleet of sophisticated training aircraft — 20+ airplanes across six types, from trainers to glass cockpit to twin. Our program integrates the FAA-approved Redbird MCX full-motion flight simulator, delivering an immersive, safe, and effective training experience that mimics real-world flying.
With a 5.0 rating from 100+ Google reviews, students consistently rate our private pilot training as both fun and exceptionally professional. We're committed to affordability without compromising quality, offering our single-engine aircraft at just $179 per hour for enrolled students — wet, fuel included. Whether you're dreaming of flying for fun or preparing for a professional aviation career, we make your journey to becoming a private pilot both enjoyable and affordable.
Modern Single-Engine Fleet
Glass-Cockpit Trainers. One-On-One Instruction. Real Los Angeles Skies.
Train in Cessna and Piper aircraft over the Hollywood Sign, DTLA, and the Pacific coast — the same busy airspace you'll master as a licensed pilot. Diamond upgrades are available on any tier. The Cirrus SR22 Turbo is a +$400-an-hour upgrade on any tier.
Three Ways To Earn Your License
Private Pilot Programs & Pricing
Same certificate, same aircraft, same instructors — the tiers differ only in how many hours you buy up front. Back to School pricing, $500 off every program. Rated ★ 5.0 on Google across 100+ reviews.
Swipe To Compare →
Standard Program
Standard Private Pilot Program
The Efficient Path To Your PPL.
$10,900$10,400
Back to School Price · Save $500
- ✈Single-Engine (Cessna · Piper)38 hrs
- ◉Redbird Full-Motion Simulator2 hrs
- ◆Dual Flight Instruction30 hrs
- ▤Ground School3 hrs
✓Books & Training MaterialsIncluded
Total logged training time — 40 hours · 38 aircraft + 2 simulator
Financing: From $2,500 down · 4 × $1,975/mo
★ Most Popular
Comprehensive Program
Comprehensive Private Pilot Program
Extra Hours, Deeper Mastery, Best Value.
$15,900$15,400
Back to School Price · Save $500
- ✈Single-Engine (Cessna · Piper)55 hrs
- ◉Redbird Full-Motion Simulator5 hrs
- ◆Dual Flight Instruction50 hrs
- ▤Ground School10 hrs
✓Books & Training MaterialsIncluded
Total logged training time — 60 hours · 55 aircraft + 5 simulator
Financing: From $2,500 down · 6 × $2,150/mo
Premium Program
Premium Private Pilot Program
The Most Flight Time Before Your Checkride.
$22,500$22,000
Back to School Price · Save $500 - ✈Single-Engine (Cessna · Piper)70 hrs
- ◉Redbird Full-Motion Simulator10 hrs
- ◆Dual Flight Instruction60 hrs
- ▤Ground School20 hrs
✓Books & Training MaterialsIncluded
Total logged training time — 80 hours · 70 aircraft + 10 simulator
Financing: From $2,500 down · 10 × $1,950/mo
Private Pilot By The Numbers
What Your Training Includes
40 hr min
FAA Minimum Flight Hours To Qualify For Your Certificate
50–60 hrs
Typical Flight Time Most Of Our Students Complete
$179/hr
Single-engine package rate for enrolled students, wet — fuel included
1:1
Personalized, One-On-One Instruction With Your CFI
210°
Redbird MCX Wraparound Simulator Visual Field
16 / 17
Solo At 16, Private Pilot Certificate At 17
100+
Verified Google Reviews From Students
7 days
Flexible Scheduling — Evenings And Weekends
Full Hours Breakdown
Exactly How Your Hours Add Up
Every figure here matches the pricing cards above. All bars are drawn to the same scale, 0–70 hours, so the three programs are directly comparable.
Standard Private Pilot
$10,400 Back to School Price · The Efficient Path To Your PPL
Comprehensive Private Pilot
$15,400 Back to School Price · Extra Hours For Deeper Mastery
Premium Private Pilot
$22,000 Back to School Price · For Career-Track Students
FAA Minimum 40 Flight Hours
Our Students Typically Log 50–60 hrs
One-On-One Instruction
Books & Materials Included
Dual instruction is part of the aircraft total, not on top of it — the balance is supervised solo time. Ground school hours are classroom and briefing time and are counted separately from flight time.
Simulator time is logged as flight training device time, not aircraft time. Under 14 CFR 61.109(k), a maximum of 2.5 hours in a full flight simulator, flight training device or aviation training device may be credited toward the flight time required for the private pilot certificate — 5 hours where the training is given in a course run by a Part 142 training center. Simulator hours above that cap do not count toward the 40-hour minimum. They are in the program because procedures, instrument scan and emergency drills are safer and cheaper to rehearse on the ground, and they make the aircraft hours you do fly go further.
The 4-Phase PPL Roadmap
From First Flight To Checkride
Most students take 2–4 months training part-time; on a full-time accelerated schedule it is roughly 30 days. The week numbers below follow the part-time path. Here's the journey, step by step.
1
Week 1
Discovery Flight & Ground Start
Take the controls on your very first flight, meet your dedicated CFI, and begin ground school. This is where the dream becomes real.
2
Weeks 2–5
Pre-Solo Training & First Solo
Master pattern work and core maneuvers, build confidence in the cockpit, and reach the milestone every pilot remembers — your first solo.
3
Weeks 6–10
Cross-Country & Night Flying
Fly cross-country navigation legs and night flights while preparing for and passing your FAA written exam.
4
Weeks 11–12
Checkride Prep & FAA Checkride
Complete a full mock checkride and final prep, then earn your Private Pilot Certificate with an FAA examiner. Congratulations, pilot.
Every First Flight Can Pay For Itself
Start Smart — And Keep Climbing
Discovery Flight Credit
100% Of Your Discovery Flight Credits Toward Training.
Enroll within 24 hours of your discovery flight and the full cost applies to your Private Pilot program — so your very first flight becomes the first step of your license, not an extra expense.
$0
effective cost of your discovery flight when you enroll — it pays for itself.
Your Pathway Ladder
The Private Pilot License is the foundation every rating builds on.
1
Private PilotFly for fun or begin a career
from $10,400
2
Instrument RatingFly in more conditions, safely
$11,700
3
CommercialGet paid to fly
$15,900
4
Airline CareerZero to airline-ready
$89,000
Becoming A Private Pilot At Van Nuys
Here's What You'll Need To Get Started
FAA Eligibility
Four Things To Have In Place
No prior experience is needed. These are the only boxes to tick before your checkride — and we help with every one of them.
U.S. Citizenship Or TSA Clearance
We guide non-citizens through TSA approval, step by step.
Minimum Age
Solo flight at 16. Private pilot certificate at 17.
FAA 3rd-Class Medical
One straightforward exam with an FAA medical examiner.
English Proficiency
Read, speak and understand English for aviation radio.
Not Sure You Qualify?
Tell us where you are. An instructor will walk you through the medical, the TSA process or anything else — before you commit to a thing.
Full Requirements Guide →
Redbird MCX · FAA-Approved AATD
Rehearse It In The Simulator. Then Fly It.
Our full-motion Redbird MCX mirrors the single-engine trainer you will fly — same controls, same avionics, same cockpit layout. Arrive at each lesson already fluent in the procedure, and the aircraft hours you buy go further.
- 210° wraparound visual with realistic weather
- Garmin 430 avionics and integrated autopilot
- Emergencies and maneuvers, practiced safely on the ground
- Already inside every program — 2, 5 or 10 hours by tier
Under 14 CFR 61.109(k), up to 2.5 simulator hours count toward the 40-hour minimum (5 in a Part 142 course). The rest is there because a procedure you have already flown costs less to learn in the airplane.
Full-Motion Redbird MCXOn the field at Van Nuys Airport.
Accelerated Private Pilot Training
Earn Your License In About 30 Days
Same syllabus, same 40-hour minimum, same aircraft — flown on an intensive daily schedule instead of around a job or school.
Part-Time
2–4 mo
Fly around work or school
Full-Time Accelerated
~30 days
Fly daily, finish fast
Checkride In About A MonthFor students who can fly full-time.
Flexible Financing
Focus On Flying — Not Financial Stress
Start training now and pay over time, on terms that fit your budget.
- Financing up to 15 years
- Start with just $2,500 down
- Soft credit check — no score impact, no co-signer
Package Rate $179/hr Wet
Same Rate On Every Single-Engine Hour
Simulator Hours Included
Enrolled students fly single-engine at $179 an hour with fuel included, and that rate does not move between the day you enroll and the day you pass.
Choose Your Aircraft
Included Aircraft And Upgrade Aircraft
The Cessna and the Piper are in every package at the $179/hr single-engine rate. The Diamond and the Cirrus SR22 Turbo (+$400/hr) are upgrades on any tier.
Cessna 162 · High-Wing Light-Sport
Cessna 162 Skycatcher
A modern high-wing trainer with a glass panel and excellent visibility over the nose and into turns — an easy airplane to learn to see out of.
Included · No Extra Hourly ChargeRate
$179/hr Wet
Panel
Glass Cockpit
Piper PA-28 · Low-Wing Trainer
Piper PA-28 Warrior
Predictable handling and a wide cabin. Steady in the pattern and comfortable on longer cross-country legs.
Included · No Extra Hourly ChargeRate
$179/hr Wet
Best For
Cross-Country
Diamond DA20-C1 · Composite Trainer
Diamond DA20-C1
A composite airframe with a bubble canopy and a center stick. Covers ground economically — around 138 kt on roughly 5 gallons an hour.
Upgrade · Available On Any TierCruise
~138 kt
Upgrade Rate
Quoted At Enrollment
Cirrus SR22 Turbo · Glass Cockpit
Cirrus SR22 Turbo
Turbocharged, with a Garmin glass cockpit, a whole-airframe CAPS parachute and a leather cabin. The fastest single on the ramp. Available on any tier at +$400 an hour on top of the package.
Upgrade · +$400/hr On Any TierCruise
~215 kt
Safety
CAPS Parachute
20+ aircraft, every one owned by the school. Hours in the Cessna 162 or Piper Warrior bill at the $179/hr package rate; the Diamond upgrade is quoted when you enroll.
Book It Or Gift It
Fly It Yourself, Or Give The Flight To Someone Else
Every discovery flight below can be booked for yourself in the next few minutes, or bought as a gift certificate that is emailed within minutes and never expires. Same flight, same price, either way.
Most Given
Two Seats
The Nice One
Twin Engine
Discovery Flight For One
One person, one instructor, and no audience. Hands on the controls from the left seat, briefed before you go and debriefed after you land.
Hands-On Stick TimePre-Flight BriefingLoggable Flight Time
Flight Length
$229Book It Or Gift It
Same Price Either Way
Discovery Flight For Two
The same flight with a passenger in the back seat, briefed and on the intercom. Couples book it; so do parents who would rather watch than hear about it.
One Passenger SeatPiper Warrior Or ArcherHeadsets For Both
Flight Length
$299Book It Or Gift It
Same Price Either Way
Luxury Discovery Flight
The nicest airplane we put a first-time flyer in. Glass cockpit, air conditioning, leather seats, and a parachute built into the airframe rather than strapped to the person.
Turbocharged Cirrus SR22Air ConditioningWhole-Airframe Parachute
Flight Length
Bring A PassengerInstructor + 2 is our maximum+$100
$499Book It Or Gift It
Same Price Either Way
Multi-Engine Seminole
Two engines, and the airplane instrument-rated pilots move into when they start thinking about a career. Flown from the left seat with a multi-engine instructor.
Piper Seminole TwinMulti-Engine DepartureCareer-Track Instructor
Flight Length
$499Book It Or Gift It
Same Price Either Way
Gift It issues a real gift certificate, emailed within minutes, which never expires and credits in full toward training. Flights are limited to 180 lb per person, 370 lb combined. Questions: (818) 290-8249, 9 AM–9 PM, seven days.
Courses & Pricing
The Rest Of What We Teach
★★★★★
5.0 Rating
100+ Google Reviews
Course prices are packages, not hourly rates - the aircraft, your instructor, ground school and simulator time are all in the figure. Van Nuys Airport, KVNY. Financing Available Through Stratus & In-House Plans.
Start Here
Discovery Flight
The First Hour At The Controls. Credited Toward Your Training If You Enroll Within 24 Hours Of Landing.
From$229
Book A Discovery Flight
01
Discovery Flight
The first hour at the controls; credits toward training if you enroll within 24 hours of landing.
From$229
02
Teen Flight Training Ages 10–15
Starting before it is legal to solo.
$4,200
03
Multi-Engine Rating
For existing pilots adding a twin.
$5,100
04
Solo Certificate
Enough training to take an aircraft around the pattern alone.
$5,500
05
Sport Pilot
A real certificate, fewer hours, narrower privileges.
$8,400
06
Premium Private Pilot
The most flight time before your checkride - 80 logged hours.
$22,500
All Prices In USD. 7900 Balboa Blvd, Suite 108A, Van Nuys, CA 91406 · Open 9 AM–9 PM, Seven Days. Free In-Person Tour Of The School
Loved On Google
Over 100 Reviews. 5.0 Stars.
Every review below is real and shown verbatim, in the reviewer’s own words — written by the people who learned to fly here, not by us.
SAFETY FIRST
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
See Discovery Flight Details — $229
Reviews shown verbatim, exactly as each reviewer published them.
Answers For Future Pilots
Frequently Asked Questions
Around 40 lessons of 2–3 hours each. Most students finish in 2–4 months, depending on how often they fly.
Yes. Training is one-on-one, with flexible scheduling on weekends, evenings, and weekdays to fit your life.
Every package includes the Cessna 162 Skycatcher and the Piper PA-28 Warrior at the $179/hr single-engine package rate. The Diamond DA20-C1 is available as an upgrade on any tier. The Cirrus SR22 Turbo is not on the package rate — it is a +$400-an-hour upgrade on any tier.
Yes. All of our instructors are FAA-certified and highly experienced, focused on your safety and progress.
Safety is our number one priority. We follow strict FAA guidelines and thorough pre-flight procedures on every flight.
Flexible packages to match your goals and timeline — from accelerated to part-time training.
The FAA minimum is 40 hours; most students finish in 50–60 hours as they build proficiency and confidence.
Van Nuys is one of the busiest general-aviation airports in the U.S., giving you invaluable real-world flying experience.
Yes. You can switch freely between the two included types — the Cessna 162 and the Piper Warrior — with no change to your rate. Diamond hours are billed at the upgrade rate for those hours only.
Absolutely — no prior experience is required. We'll take you from your first flight to your checkride.
The best first step is to book a Discovery Flight — take the controls and experience it for yourself.
The Cirrus SR22 Turbo is an upgrade on any tier at +$400 an hour on top of the package, and you only pay for the hours you actually fly in it. It is turbocharged, with a Garmin glass cockpit, a whole-airframe CAPS parachute, a leather cabin, and roughly 215 kt cruise.
Yes — we offer flexible financing plans up to 15 years, starting from $2,500 down with a soft credit check.
One-on-one instruction, flight lessons, ground school, aircraft access, and full checkride preparation.
Top instructors, modern aircraft, personalized scheduling, and an uncompromising focus on safety.
Talk To Us First
Call The School. Someone Picks Up.
From 9am to 9pm, seven days a week, the phone at Van Nuys is answered by an instructor or by the owner — not a call center. Ask what the training costs, how long it would take you, or what actually happens on a first lesson.
Call Los Angeles Flight School (818) 290-8249The call is free and books nothing. Ask as many questions as you like.
- 9am – 9pmOpen seven days a week
- Van Nuys AirportKVNY, Los Angeles
- 7900 Balboa Blvd, Suite 108AVan Nuys, CA 91406