SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY: Flight School in Santa Monica, California

SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY in Santa Monica, photo 1

SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY in Santa Monica, photo 2

SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY in Santa Monica, photo 3

Photos via Google Maps; they belong to their authors.

Location: Santa Monica, California
School Type: Local flight school
Training Focus: Pilot training
Home Airport: Santa Monica Airport (KSMO)
Google Rating: 4.9 (145 reviews)

Call (310) 307-5400 Get Directions Visit Website

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

Hours

Monday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

See It on the Map

What Students and Pilots Say

★★★★★ 6 months ago

My mom and I took a tourist flight with Justin on a beautiful sunny day, and it was truly a special experience. We stayed at around 2,000 feet, which made the flight feel more intimate and immersive rather than like a distant aerial view. Needless to say, the views were gorgeous. Justin was fantastic — he made us feel very safe, explained everything he was doing before and during the flight, and was incredibly knowl…
Tijana Suzić via Google

★★★★★ 4 years ago

Wish I could give Bret and Skyward ten stars! I got an intro flying lesson for my partner for his birthday and got to ride along. We had an incredible time! Hard to say which was more fun - flying a plane or hanging out with Bret :) He was friendly and helpful throughout some tricky scheduling, so much fun and so kind on the flight. Can’t recommend it enough. Only downside is that now my partner is annoyed that he ca…
Cate Smierciak via Google

★★★★★ 2 years ago

I gifted the Malibu/Hollywood/DTLA flight to my boyfriend for his birthday and we could not be happier with our decision! He had never flown a plane before but has always dreamed of being a pilot. We loved flying with Dave who is extremely knowledgeable and made us feel comfortable every step of the way. We 100000% recommend flying with Skyward Air Pilot Academy!
Jessica Irwin via Google

★★★★★ 3 years ago

I got my start and completed my flight training at Skyward, and I now fly for a major airline as a direct result. Choosing Skyward to complete my training, and attain certificates through was hands down one of the greatest and best decisions I’ve ever made. There is absolutely no greater flight school out there that can offer such a personally tailored flight training experience. I couldn’t be happier with the founda…
Eric Gashler 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 SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY 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 Santa Monica, 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 SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY 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 Santa Monica 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 SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY

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 SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY'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 Santa Monica, 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 SKYWARD AIR PILOT ACADEMY? 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.