I am an independent Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) in the Los Angeles area, primarily in the San Fernando Valley at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) but I have also given instruction in various other locations within the United States and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please take a look below for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat kind of instruction do you offer?<\/strong><\/summary>\n
I am able to provide flight instruction for all pilot certificates\/licenses (excluding ATP), ratings, and endorsements in Single-Engine Land & Multi-Engine Land Airplanes<\/strong>. I am also able to provide a wide variety of Avionic instruction to aircraft owners! I also have access to limited avionics (as of 2026 those are Aspen Evolution 1000 PFDs, Garmin G5, GNC 355 (similar to GTN 650), Garmin 430, Garmin 530, and Garmin 480)<\/em> installed on airplanes available for rent through my affiliates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can start with you regardless of where you are at in your training!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
High-altitude airports (e.g. Big Bear (L35))<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Catalina checkouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Los Angeles Airspace familiarity & Class Bravo transitions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Cross-Country flying to rural, distant (300NM+), or unfamiliar airports<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Night flying (local and X\/C) over lit and unlit areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Actual IMC operations (including, shooting approaches to minimums in LIFR conditions) at towered and non-towered airports<\/li>\n\n\n\n
WINGS Courses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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For those who own their own aircraft:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Avionics<\/li>\n\n\n\n
High Altitude operations (endorsements and training)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Insurance requirements (e.g. 5+ hours in type with a CFI)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Competency or safety flights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nFootnotes<\/summary>\n
** – If you only need 10 hours of TAA time as you intend to use another instructor and airplane for your Commercial please reach out as I have access to a TAA airplane to provide instruction in.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat is your hourly rate? <\/strong><\/summary>\n
My hourly rate is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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$70\/hour<\/strong> based on utilized time for all flight and ground training with those already have a Sport\/Private\/Commercial\/ATP license unless it is in Tailwheel Aircraft<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
$90\/hour <\/strong>based on utilized time for all flight and ground training for those who only have a Student Pilot license (i.e. those that are seeking an initial Sport\/Private license) OR<\/strong> flight and ground training in Tailwheel Aircraft<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Utilized time does not<\/strong> include time used for breaks but it does include time spent before and after the flight for briefing\/de-briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we schedule a flight and have to cancel due to weather or a mechanical issue with the airplane I do not charge for the scheduled time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I accept physical cash, Zelle (preferred), and Venmo. I do not offer block rates however day rates can be discussed.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat aircraft and avionics are you familiar with?<\/strong><\/summary>\n
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Aircraft I have given instruction in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All <\/strong>Garmin PFD & MFD units (including all Xi\/TXi\/NXi variants and non-IFR GPS units (e.g. Aera)) except the G2000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
All<\/strong> Avidyne MFD units except the Avidyne Vantage<\/li>\n\n\n\n
All <\/strong>Aspen PFD units<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Apollo CNX-80<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Collins Pro Line 21<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Various Autopilot units from Bendix\/King, Collins, Century, Avidyne, and Garmin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I have tens, if not hundreds, of hours with a wide range of the above units!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your aircraft has a Garmin G2000, Avidyne Vantage, or an Aspen MFD I will offer a discounted hourly rate to you for a set amount of hours.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat kind of aircraft do you have access to that I can rent?<\/strong><\/strong><\/summary>\n
Most of the aircraft listed below are from American Aviation<\/strong>. Hourly rates are wet (fuel included). Add $5\/hour for credit card payments for airplanes used by American Aviation. You can leave a deposit with them if you wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are more aircraft than those shown below. For those interested in renting a TAA<\/strong> (Airplane with an Aspen Evolution 1000 PFD + Garmin 480 + 2-axis Bendix Autopilot) there is one managed by American Aviation. That TAA aircraft’s hourly rate is set at $195\/hr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Classic 6 pack analog instruments (HSI) + Garmin SL30s (This aircraft is not managed by American Aviation)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n Can you teach me in an aircraft that I own (or co-own)? <\/strong><\/summary>\n
Yes, however if you are a student pilot (i.e. are not able to act as PIC) flying an aircraft I am not familiar with please expect special arrangements prior to any training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m willing to offer a discounted rate for a set amount of hours for properly licensed pilots (Sport License or higher with appropriate endorsements, if required) flying uncommon aircraft that I am not familiar with who are seeking a flight review or training for an additional rating, certificate, or endorsement.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow much will it cost and how long will it take to get a Private Pilot License (PPL)?<\/strong><\/summary>\n
One of the most common questions by aspiring pilots is “How much will a PPL cost?” and “How long will it take to get my PPL?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is a difficult question to answer because nearly all flight schools and independent flight instructors have a “pay-as-you-go” system. Some schools may offer block rates if you keep a deposit on file with them (e.g. $1,000).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few schools may advertise fixed costs that will only account for the minimum hours legally required (40 flight hours, including solo time, for a PPL). Most students will almost certainly not be ready with the legal minimum hours required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I personally have had students pass their Private Pilot License checkride with anywhere from 56 – 80 hours (including solo time, which is at least 10 hours).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have experience with accelerated instruction and non-accelerated instruction. My fastest student completed his PPL checkride 3 weeks after we started from 0 flight hours. We flew almost every day for at least 4 hours each day and he came to me with his written test completed and ground school (online) done; He also religiously studied every night, before and after each lesson, completed all the assignments I had given him, and his checkride date was set in advance.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nDo you schedule the test with the examiner for me?<\/strong><\/summary>\n
I have generally sent students to one of 4 examiners. One at Van Nuys, one at Camarillo (currently not available)<\/em>, one in Riverside\/San Bernardino, and one in Bakersfield (initial CFI only). The rates vary from $900 – $1700 for non instructor rides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also have the contact for an examiner from Riverside, one based in Long Beach (the Long Beach examiner is willing to travel to Van Nuys for a $100 increase to his rate), and another from San Diego (with a $500 increase to his rate for traveling to Van Nuys). Each of these examiners require scheduling from 1 month to 3 months in advance. You are welcome to choose a different examiner if you can find one whose scheduling works for you.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nCan you instruct at my flight school?<\/strong><\/summary>\n
If you are a student there it depends on the policies of your school. If it involves using a school airplane then it will also depend on what the school’s insurance dictates the minimum coverage I am required to have on my insurance policy as a Flight Instructor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have done “mock checkrides” for students, some limited to ground only and others including ground and flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a manager of a flight school please contact me.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
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