Star Helicopters: Flight School in Hawthorne, California

Photos via Google Maps; they belong to their authors.

Location: Hawthorne, California
School Type: Local flight school
Training Focus: Pilot training
Google Rating: 4.7 (120 reviews)

Call (310) 355-1959 Get Directions

Listing data is maintained editorially and confirmed with schools over time. Programs and pricing change; verify details directly before enrolling.

Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

See It on the Map

What Students and Pilots Say

★★★★★ 6 years ago

Did a sunset 30 minute downtown tour for girlfriend's birthday, it was amazing. Had pilots Brian and Logan for our flight, very enjoyable and entertaining flying with them. Seeing stuff from this perspective is amazing. Great views of coliseum, dodgers stadium, Hollywood sign, Griffith observatory, universal studios. Star was very professional all the way from making initial reservation to landing back at Hawthorne a…
Aaron C via Google

★★★★★ 4 years ago

So this was my first time flying in a helicopter and the experience was amazing!! My pilot Paul was very professional, skilled and knowledgeable. Would definitely do this again. The view was beyond words and pictures.
Andy Hernandez via Google

★★★★★ 2 years ago

Went on a 30min Hollywood tour. Lance was our pilot was very informed told us facts about certain landmarks. I recommend coming 15 mins before your time to ensure full satisfaction of your allotted time. Would recommend for a gift or just to go for fun will not disappoint.
Angel via Google

★★★★★ 7 years ago

Did the LAX Helispotting tour, it’s worth every f***ing dollar! Go in the early afternoon, lots of heavies at the Tom Bradley terminal and more arriving and departing! The pilot was stellar, knows a lot about aviation and the whole conversation was totally engaging... Hanging around the In’n’out is fun, but seeing the operations from the other side is something else! Be sure to let the pilot know you want to hover …
Ondra Soukup via Google

Reviews via Google Maps; they belong to their authors and are not our endorsement.

Planning Your Training Here

Planning training at a local school like Star Helicopters trades the academy's speed for flexibility and often meaningfully lower total cost. The pay-as-you-fly model keeps your money in your control, and training two to three lessons weekly around work is the proven rhythm, enough frequency to retain skills without the academy's all-in schedule. The variable to manage is momentum: local-school students who succeed book standing lesson slots, fly year-round, and treat ground study as homework rather than something that happens at the airport. Ask about aircraft scheduling depth, instructor availability on your target days, and examiner wait times in Hawthorne, the three friction points that stretch part-time timelines.

What Flying in California Teaches You

California training compresses experience: the Los Angeles basin's stacked Class B, coastal marine layers, mountain passes, and desert density altitude all sit within an hour of each other. Students who learn here learn to talk fast, plan thoroughly, and fly precisely, and the weather cooperates most of the year.

How to Evaluate Star Helicopters on Your Tour

Every school on this directory gets the same advice from us, because the fundamentals don't move. Walk the ramp and count how many aircraft are down for maintenance. Ask how many lessons a week they can actually schedule you, and how far out the booking calendar runs. Ask for first-attempt checkride pass rates and how long students wait for an examiner. And keep your money in your control: pay as you fly, or in small blocks with clear refund terms.

Then weigh the location itself. Training in Hawthorne means building your early hours in California weather and airspace, and both become part of your airmanship. Our school-selection guide covers the full vetting checklist, and the financing page maps scholarships and loans that apply at schools like this one.

Common Questions About Training at Star Helicopters

How long would my training take here?

Part-time students flying two to three lessons weekly typically earn a private certificate in six to twelve months and a commercial certificate in two to three years, with pace set by your calendar and the weather. Consistency decides everything: standing lesson slots beat sporadic bursts by months.

What will it cost, and can I get help paying?

Get Star Helicopters's current rates directly; published numbers age fast in this industry. Nationally, plan on $80,000 to $120,000 from zero time to commercial certificates before instructing pay starts offsetting costs. Our financing guide maps the loans, scholarships, and airline cadet programs that apply here, and several scholarship cycles go undersubscribed every single year.

How should I arrange a visit?

Call ahead and ask for a tour on a normal training day, not a quiet one. Use the directions button above to plan the drive to Hawthorne, arrive early enough to watch ramp operations, and bring the vetting checklist from this page. A school proud of its operation will show you everything; hesitation is itself an answer.

Get Matched

Considering Star Helicopters? Tell us your goal and timeline and we'll line this school up against comparable options near you, with the financing routes and scholarship deadlines that fit. One form, no spam, a real reply within a business day.