Quality Score
Fair
Base (15) + components above = 55
About
Olmsted Aviation is a flight school specializing in advanced pilot training. Services include aerobatics training, stall spin training, upset recovery training, tail wheel training/ Pitts check outs and aerobatic competition training and rentals. The place of business is located at the well renowned Santa Paula Airport (KSZP) centrally located just outside Los Angles. The airport is located three miles from only one of two wavered aerobatic boxes in southern California. Chris Olmsted (owner and CEO of Olmsted Aviation LLC) is an aviation educator and enthusiast with extensive experience in the art of aerobatic flight. As a Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Aerobatic Judge and an Certified Air-frame and Power-plant Aircraft Technician he has over twelve years of professional experience with over thirty five hundred hours fight experience including one thousand hours of aerobatic flight, all before the age of thirty. Mr. Olmsted is the president of The Los Angeles Aerobatic Club (International Aerobatic Club Chapter 49) and acts as Contest Director of the annual Duel in the Desert Aerobatic Contest. He is an active board member of The Santa Paula Flying Club and a Co-founder of The Figure 1 Foundation, that provides aviation scholarships to kids in need.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitts S-2 A (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $160 – $630/hr | $11,000 – $44,100 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $50 – $190/hr | $2,000 – $7,975 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $13,600 – $54,300 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Olmsted Aviation is estimated to cost $13,600 – $54,300. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Olmsted Aviation 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, Olmsted 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.
Olmsted Aviation trains in the Pitts S-2 A. Contact the school for current availability and hourly rental rates.
No flight simulators are listed for Olmsted Aviation. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Olmsted Aviation does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.