Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 77
About
Above All Aviation is Santa Barbara's #1 flight school and the only Part 141 training program in Santa Barbara. They offer flight training from sport and private pilot through instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and ATP ratings, as well as aircraft rental, scenic flight tours, charter flights, and a full-service on-site aircraft maintenance facility.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 150 (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $75 – $310/hr | $5,400 – $21,600 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $50 – $210/hr | $2,175 – $8,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $50 – $210/hr | $1,050 – $4,150 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,600 – $34,500 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Above All Aviation is estimated to cost $8,600 – $34,500. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
Yes, Above All Aviation is approved for both Part 61 and Part 141 training. Part 141 uses a structured, FAA-approved curriculum with stage checks and lowers the minimum hours for a Private Pilot Certificate from 40 to 35. Part 61 is self-paced with no required syllabus. Ask the school which path fits your schedule.
No, Above All Aviation does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
Above All Aviation's training fleet includes the Cessna 152, Cessna 150, Cessna 172M (Skyhawk), Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Beechcraft A24R (Sierra), Cessna 172B (Skyhawk), Piper PA-28 (Cherokee), and Piper PA-34 (Seneca). Having multiple types in the fleet keeps your training on track if one plane is down for maintenance. Ask the school about current availability and any additional charges per aircraft.
Yes, Above All Aviation has the following flight training device: Redbird AATD. Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Above All Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.