Your Questions, Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about timelines, soloing, transferring from another school, and getting started. Still have a question? Call or text us anytime.
At a steady pace of 2 to 3 flights per week (each averaging about 2 hours), most students go from their first lesson to the checkride in about 2 to 3 months. Your exact timeline depends on how consistently you fly, how much you study at home, and how quickly you reach proficiency.
Flying 2 to 3 times per week, the Instrument Rating typically takes about 2 to 3 months. As with all of our training, consistency and home study are the biggest factors in finishing efficiently.
Commercial training can take anywhere from 1 to 4 months Your total training time depends largely on how many flight hours you already have toward the FAA aeronautical experience requirements. If you still need to build hours, that will extend the timeline; if you already meet the experience requirements, it can move quickly.
To begin training, you really just need the desire to learn and the ability to show up consistently. You do not You do not need any certificate, medical, or prior experience to start taking lessons at American Aviation at Van Nuys. The main requirements come later, before your first solo. To eventually earn a certificate you must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and be at least 17 years old by your Private Pilot checkride (you can start much younger).
When you fly solo you must have on you: a government-issued photo ID, your student pilot certificate, and your medical certificate. Your logbook Proper instructor endorsements must also be available. While training with an instructor on board, the instructor carries the legal responsibility, but it is good practice to always have your ID and certificates with you.
Before your first solo you must have: a student pilot certificate, an FAA medical certificate (at least third class), and the specific instructor endorsements To fly solo, you must have the appropriate endorsements in your logbook for solo flight. You also must have demonstrated to your instructor that you can safely perform the required maneuvers and handle the aircraft on your own — including normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings, and emergency procedures.
You can solo once you are at least 16 years old To solo, you must hold a student pilot certificate and a medical certificate, and your instructor has endorsed you after confirming you can safely operate the aircraft on your own. There is no fixed number of hours — it happens when you are ready. ready and proficient.
Many students reach their first solo within a few weeks We find students make the most progress when flying 2 to 3 times per week and studying at home. There is no required minimum number of hours to solo — it happens when you have shown your instructor you can safely handle the aircraft. Consistency is the single biggest factor in getting there faster.
Yes. If you show proficiency, we will set you up for the checkride as soon as you demonstrate you are capable of passing — which means you will need to meet all FAA standards. less training We maintain 11 actual aircraft for training with us. We do not artificially pad hours. We meet you where you are, fill any gaps, and move you toward your checkride as efficiently as your skills allow.
Yes. If you show proficiency and can pass a mock checkride — or fully demonstrate the skills for whatever specific endorsement you are seeking (solo, solo cross-country, or checkride) — you will get the endorsement. We will not sign you off until you are genuinely ready, because the endorsement means we are confident you can perform safely and pass based on our experience.
Yes. Not only will you get the flight training you need, but our focus will also be on how a career in aviation actually works — including Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM), Crew Resource Management (CRM), and professionalism. We prepare you not just to pass checkrides, but to operate the way airlines and employers expect a professional pilot to operate.
You do not need a medical certificate for your very first lessons, but you do need an FAA medical certificate before you solo We recommend getting your medical early in training (a third-class medical is the minimum for Private Pilot) so that nothing slows down your progress when you are ready to fly on your own. We can point you to a local Aviation Medical Examiner.
A Discovery Flight is an introductory lesson where you sit in the pilot seat and actually fly the aircraft Experience flying with an instructor guiding you. You will handle the controls, see what a real lesson feels like, and get your questions answered. It is the best, no-pressure way to experience flight training before committing to a full program. Ours is a personalized approach. $199.99.
Yes. Flight training is not just showing up and flying. Students who study the FAA materials at home make faster progress, spend less money, and pass their written, oral, and flight tests more confidently. We are upfront about this from day one and tell you exactly what to study, when, and why — so no lesson is wasted reviewing material you could have learned at home.
We are a hourly-rate school — no large prepaid blocks or training loans required. Fleet aircraft starts at $130/hr wet (fuel included), and a Discovery Flight is $199.99 Instruction is $35/hour; C152 rental is $130 cash/$135 card. You pay per lesson, keeping your investment proportional to your progress. See our pricing page for full details, and call us anytime with questions.
Yes. Owners can ask about inspections, troubleshooting, repairs and maintenance planning at Van Nuys Airport. Work depends on the aircraft, its records, the requested scope and current availability. See the aircraft maintenance overview or call 818-231-1036 to discuss a specific request.
Share the aircraft make, model and serial number, current tachometer or Hobbs reading, relevant logbooks, recent maintenance history and a clear description of the requested work or discrepancy. An estimate requires aircraft-specific review; submitting a question does not authorize work.
American Aviation says it aims to provide the lowest-cost aircraft maintenance in Los Angeles, Burbank and Van Nuys. This is the company's stated positioning, not an independent price survey. The actual estimate depends on aircraft type, records, findings, labor, parts and the agreed work scope.
Walk to the gate marked with the blue circle in the arrival photo and call 818-231-1036 for the current access code. After entering, pass the hangar with the blue Fox News helicopters and enter the second hangar marked by the red arrow. If the route is unclear, stop and call before proceeding.