Flight Instruction Services

Professional flight instruction in San Diego for pilots at every stage.

From first-time Discovery Flights and Private Pilot training to Commercial certification, flight reviews, and club checkouts, personalized instruction is tailored to your goals—whether you’re flying for fun or building a career in aviation.

Private Pilot (PPL)

This is where it all begins! Want to fly your friends to Catalina for the weekend, go fly-out camping or use it as a building block and first step in your aviation career?

With this license, you can fly recreationally and carry passengers.

The PPL is the beginning of a life in aviation. You will build a strong foundation of flying skills and aviation theory, including aerodynamics, systems, weather, risk management and flight planning.

  • Must be a US Citizen and at least 17 years old.

    You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English fluently.

    You need to pass a medical examination by an FAA-approved aviation medical examiner (AME)

  • Likely $15,000 - $20,000

    Factors include:

    Flight hours - National average is 75 flight hours (40 hours FAA minimum)

    Average Plane rental $150 per hour wet (including fuel)

    Flight / Ground instruction $75 per hour

    Checkride ~$1,500

  • 6–9 months if flying 1-2 times per week.

    If you are dedicated to your studies and fly more often, you can get there in a shorter timeframe.

Commercial License (CPL)

Oh its getting serious now! The CPL requires a deeper understanding of aviation knowledge, higher-skilled flying, and the opportunity to be paid for your services.

The CPL allows pilots to fly aircraft for compensation or hire, paving the way for careers in commercial aviation. To obtain a CPL, aspiring pilots must fulfil prerequisites such as obtaining a Private Pilot's License, accumulating flight hours, and mastering their aircraft, which enables them to embark on professional flying careers.

  • 250 flight hours

    FAR 61.129(a) lists the full requirments

  • This will vary widely depending on the approach. Many pilots 'timebuild' by splitting time and costs with other pilots.

    This would be my recommendation: when you are closer to the 250-hour mark, i.e., ~200 hours or greater, work with an instructor such as me to get the manoeuvres dialled in and prepare for the extensive ground knowledge required.

Discovery Flight

An intro, no-obligation flight around sunny San Diego. This will include ground knowledge basics and hands-on flying, so you can enjoy the thrill of flying.

The discovery flight is dear to my heart; this is how I fell in love with aviation.

  • Virtually anyone with an interest in exploring flight training is eligible, and there is no commitment to continue training afterwards.

    US Citizen (if non-US Citizen, we need to see what Visa you are on)

  • $299 ($350 value)

    This includes approximately 1 hour of flight time and my discounted introductory instructional rate.

  • The typical discovery flight is 2–2.5 hours from start to finish, with approximately 1 hour of actual flight time.

Flight Review & Recurrent Training

Need the 61.56 Flight Review? Perhaps you would like to do the world-class flight on our doorstep and fly to the 'Airport in the Sky' at Catalina Island, or gain confidence and skills for Mountain flying to Big Bear. Whatever your needs are, we can discuss your aviation goals and help you achieve them

San Diego is truly an amazing place to fly, but it can pose challenges with complex airspace and a diverse landscape ranging from coastal to mountainous flying out East. For this reason, it's very important we stay proficient and fly within our skill and experience levels.

Whether you require the FAR61.56 Flight review (or annual for PlusOneFlyers members), you want to expand your horizons or have had a break flying and need to 'sharpen the tools' again, I am here to help. Reach out to have a no-obligation discussion.

New Member
Checkouts

Plus One Flyers is the largest flying club in the world. We are so lucky to have this amazing club based here in San Diego. New members require a checkout (hiring a plane) with an authorised Instructor.

“While training for my PPL, I had the pleasure of flying with Blair as my flight instructor on several occasions. From day one, he created an environment that was both professional and approachable, making learning to fly feel exciting rather than intimidating.

He is knowledgeable and able to instruct without judgment or overcontrol. I also appreciated how patient and easy-going he was, and how he could explain things clearly in the cockpit.

I’m grateful for the guidance and support Blair provided, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an instructor who genuinely cares about their students’ success.”

— Jack Westphal