Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 66
About
Full service FBO located at Brown Field Municipal Airport (KSDM) in San Diego, CA. Offering aircraft rentals, flight instruction, maintenance, and fuel services. Training from beginner to advanced levels including private pilot, instrument, commercial, tailwheel, and high performance endorsements.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronca 7AC (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $35 – $140/hr | $2,450 – $9,800 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $30 – $110/hr | $1,150 – $4,625 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $4,200 – $16,600 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at First Flight Corporation is estimated to cost $4,200 – $16,600. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, First Flight Corporation operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, First Flight Corporation 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.
First Flight Corporation's training fleet includes the Aeronca 7AC, Piper PA-32-300 (Cherokee Six), Cessna 182J (Skylane), Piper PA-28-180 (Cherokee), Cessna 172H (Skyhawk), and Cessna 172M (Skyhawk). 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.
No flight simulators are listed for First Flight Corporation. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, First Flight Corporation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.