First Take Aviation: Flight School in Van Nuys, California

First Take Aviation in Van Nuys, photo 1

First Take Aviation in Van Nuys, photo 2

First Take Aviation in Van Nuys, photo 3

Photos via Google Maps; they belong to their authors.

Location: Van Nuys, California
School Type: Local flight school
Training Focus: Pilot training
Home Airport: Van Nuys Airport (KVNY)
Google Rating: 5.0 (22 reviews)

Call (818) 208-9534 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: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

See It on the Map

What Students and Pilots Say

★★★★★ 1 month ago

Got my CPL-CFII at this school and my only regret is not starting from zero here. Edgar is a phenomenal instructor and his school is so welcoming and a great place to just hang out. The planes are in good shape and always up-to-date on maintenance. They fly very well and have great daily availability. The instructors are fantastic and so knowledgeable. You can’t go wrong with starting your training with any of them…
Emma Baker via Google

★★★★★ 1 year ago

I had an amazing discovery flight with Jorge at First Take Aviation that far exceeded my expectations. Jorge is an excellent instructor—methodical, friendly, and reassuring. I was nervous about not knowing enough, but he guided me through every step. Our 45-minute flight around downtown LA and over the Cahuenga Pass and Universal Studios was a blast! If you're considering starting your pilot’s license journey or just…
Kenny Pate via Google

★★★★★ 3 years ago

I've been with multiple flight schools before coming here but First Take is by far the best. They have a great infrastructure and nurturing learning environment. First Take seems to really care about their students and the CFI's I've flown with there are top notch. Their fleet is meticulously maintained and clean. Strongly recommend.
Harry via Google

★★★★★ 2 years ago

This is a great place for your flight training. I have experience with several flight schools in VNY and I would definitely recommend First Take. They helped get me through my instrument rating and now finishing commercial single engine. Their instructors are excellent and prices very competitive, with well-maintained aircraft. Make a stop and see them in Prop Park!
Katie P 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 First Take Aviation 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 Van Nuys, 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 First Take Aviation 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 Van Nuys 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 First Take Aviation

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 First Take Aviation'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 Van Nuys, 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 First Take Aviation? 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.