Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC Area

SoCalPilotGuy

SoCalPilotGuy

New Member
I have about 450 hours and want to do my Commercial training and CFI as well as Multi. I have completed the Commercial written and just need a plane and a good instructor.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good FBO in the Los Angeles/Orange County/North San Diego County area that has a complex plane for a decent price? Also, a multi plane would be nice since I plan to do this training in a few months. How about a privately owned plane? I am kind of stuck and would like some input. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

I'm in a similar situation, but I need instrument as well. So far I'm impressed with sunrise aviation at SNA. I drove by there yesterday, but didn't have time to stop. They have a list of their aircraft on their website www.sunriseaviation.com They claim they, "make extensive use" of sims, but I'm not thinking they have a sim themselves. I'm going to give them a call here in the next few days to see what kind of program they can put together. If you find out any info about sunrise or anywhere else in orange county, give me a heads up. thanks
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

thanks for the tip. By the looks of their website, they look pretty good...now I just have to do the math. I'm going to stop by both next time I'm in town, just to get a feel for how they operate. Let me know if you find anything else. Anyone in long beach or fullerton that you've heard good things about? (in SoCal, that's as far as I want to drive)
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

I'm planning on looking at a small operation out of Fullerton this week. As for Long Beach, I know most FBO's there well. I worked at KLGB for about 5 years and have flown out of there for most of my flight time. There are a few big operations there. Let me know exactly what you are looking for (price and condition of aircraft, size of fleet, amount of instructors, etc.) and I will give you my Long Beach recommendations.

By the way, where are you coming from? You said KLGB was the furthest North you wanted to go. Are you in San Diego?
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

I live in rural Nevada (middle of nowhere...KEKO) but I can't really take my training any further here...just one small FBO at a non-towered airport. I have been deliberating on the flight school vs FBO debate and find myself drawn to the FBO route. FBO's in SLC are the next closest option to home, but it's quite a drive.

I have housing available in Newport (John Wayne would be great), and I would love the airspace experience of SoCal (and the weather). I drove out to Riverside last weekend to peek at ATP, but i wasn't feelin' it. I would like to go ahead with my Instrument, commercial, and multi ratings, and I would be available to fly everyday. So I am looking for a place that has instructors readily available and a variety of aircraft. Condition is less of a concern (we have a '57 172...manual flaps and everything) So I'm used to the oldies, not too picky about that. As far as price, I'm prepared to take the hit to get quality training, but the more affordable the better.

So that's my situation. Any recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated. Keep me posted on what you find. Thanks:)
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

I checked out the small operation at Fullerton. They currently have 2 172s that are the nicest for the price I have seen in a long time. I went for a training flight with the owner/CFI and he seems like a really knowledgeable instructor. His availablity is somewhat limited so he may not be the best for you. There are other approved instructors that fly out of there but I don't have any information on them. I will keep you updated on this place.

As for Long Beach, I would recommend Long Beach Flying Club. They have lots of planes so availablity should not be a problem. As for instructors, they are all freelance and some are pretty pricey now (upwards of $50 or more). I'm sure you could find a lower time CFI that would charge less and could meet your avaiability. If money is no option, California Flight Center at KLGB is a good choice will a fleet of all newer 172s (that come with a larger price tag). I have also heard good things about instruction there.

Keep me posted and I will do the same.
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

Thanks for the info on fullerton and the other recommendations. I will definately look into Long Beach Flying Club and California Flight Center. Currently I'm waiting to hear back from a 'friend of a friend' who did some of his stuff at KSNA. I will let you know what I find out from him. I have been doing the math, and it seems that just like everything else in Orange County, the cost of training is adjusted accordingly to the average salary of its residents. (read expensive). I will definately keep you updated on what I find. Thanks again!
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

If you are looking for a good school with good aircraft I have found myself going down to rent at Pinnacle down at Carlsbad (CRQ) north of San Diego. They don't require putting a thousand dollars down, they have a good variety of new and (I think) older 172s plus a Seminole and a few other types, professional looking instructors, and the prices are cheaper than anywhere in the OC. The drive can be a bit annoying from the OC where I live but at the same time it is relaxing (for me at least) plus you get a good chance to inspect the weather on your way down ;)

Schools in the Orange County/LA area just have too high of prices when you add it all up... Then (for at least SNA and LGB) there is the annoyance of all the security you have to deal with, and the (sometimes) long wait just to get in the air.

If you guys are looking for someone to fly with for fun (I also have all the CFI ratings), I may be interested when my schedule calms down in the next few weeks... Drop me a line.
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

Thanks for weighing in, I will definately take a look at Carlsbad, it's not too bad of a drive with the toll road. I wont be down in SoCal until at least late summer..just thinking ahead, thanks for the tips.
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

I've had enough GA to last me a life time. Ho hum, slurp coffee, kick the tires n light the fires, what are we werkin on tahday? Oh jeez - I haven't done dem comm manuevers in ages, now back in my day... I just love tah teach cuz of the feelin ya get when some rich doctor dude gits his ferst solo neato! Go to a big name flight school and give them your money.
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

surfCRQ said:
I've had enough GA to last me a life time. Ho hum, slurp coffee, kick the tires n light the fires, what are we werkin on tahday? Oh jeez - I haven't done dem comm manuevers in ages, now back in my day... I just love tah teach cuz of the feelin ya get when some rich doctor dude gits his ferst solo neato! Go to a big name flight school and give them your money.
Click to expand...
Huh? :confused:
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

feel free to contact me via PM or through my website for more info on the LBFC. I currently freelance full time there. Another place to strongly consider is Angel City Flyers in Long Beach. They are a diamond training facility and have top notch instructors (not unlike the LBFC) :)
 
Re: Recommendations for FBO for Commercial & Multi in LA/OC

Codyjp said:
feel free to contact me via PM or through my website for more info on the LBFC. I currently freelance full time there. Another place to strongly consider is Angel City Flyers in Long Beach. They are a diamond training facility and have top notch instructors (not unlike the LBFC) :)
Click to expand...

Angel City Flyers is a little out of my budget.....although the Diesel Twin Stars look real nice!
 
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