Best Schools in Sacramento, CA

SkyNorth Aviation & Flight Training is a Northern California flight school headquartered at the University Airport in Davis, serving students across Sacramento, Woodland, Vacaville, and Colusa. Founded by Kristina, a former 17-year credentialed public school teacher who transitioned to aviation in 2023, the school blends deep instructional expertise with personalized one-on-one flight training. SkyNorth offers a full range of pilot training programs including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Multi-Engine Airplane training. They also provide Biennial Flight Reviews, Safety Pilot services, Instrument Proficiency Checks, and Ferry/Contract Pilot services. Multi-engine instruction is conducted in privately owned aircraft with a focus on engine-out procedures, complex maneuvers, and multi-engine performance characteristics. Kristina holds Commercial Pilot certificates in both Single and Multi-Engine Land, along with CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings, plus endorsements in Complex Airplane, High Performance, Spin Training, and High Altitude flying. The school has earned a perfect 5.0 rating on Yelp, with students praising the organized, professional, and personalized instruction. SkyNorth operates out of the Sacramento Valley, one of the best year-round flying regions in California with over 260 days of VFR weather annually.

Cal Aggie Flying Farmers, established in 1947, is the oldest general aviation operation in the Sacramento area. Located at the University Airport on the UC Davis campus, they operate as a non-profit organization, allowing them to prioritize safety and offer high-quality training at reasonable rates. They own their aircraft, ensuring high maintenance standards and passing savings to students. Cal Aggie Flying Farmers provides a supportive and encouraging learning environment, attracting a high-quality community of aviation enthusiasts.

Offers pilot training and aircraft rental programs based at Sacramento Executive Airport.

ATP Flight School in Sacramento, California, located at Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), provides commercial pilot flight training and an airline-sponsored career track. ATP is the only flight school in Sacramento with career tracks to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, supported by formal agreements and mentorship. The Airline Career Pilot Program offers the resources and training needed to become an airline pilot in a fast-track program. ATP boasts the highest ratio of airline placements to students of any flight school in Sacramento.

Executive Flyers offers flexible programs designed to turn dreams of being a pilot into reality.

EVA is a pipeline for EVA Air.

Aero-Sphere West is a flight training school in CA.

A premier flight school dedicated to providing top notch aviation instruction and pilot training for pilots in Sacramento and surrounding areas.

Advanced International Aviation Academy is rated as one of the best flight training academies in the world, with refined and advanced facilities and training programs to provide the best pilot training to become a professional airline pilot or a recreational pilot.

Advanced International Aviation Academy is rated as one of the best flight training academies in the world, offering refined and advanced facilities and training programs for professional airline pilots or recreational pilots.

Girls Love To Fly is a Sacramento-based flight school located at McClellan Airport, dedicated to supporting women through high-quality flight training, mentorship, and community.

Carter Flygare, Inc. (CFI) has been helping students learn to fly since 1964. Located at the Sacramento Executive Airport, Carter Flygare is run by Carter W. Flygare, a Gold Seal Flight Instructor with over 55,000 flight hours. CFI was one of the first flight schools on the web and continues to modernize. They offer flight training from introductory flights to professional pilot programs.

AV8 Aviation, located in Sacramento, California, is a Part 61 helicopter flight school based at Sacramento Executive Airport (KSAC). They offer flight instruction in Robinson R22, R44, R66, and Bell 206 helicopters. The school's central location provides access to various destinations, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa's wine country, Lake Tahoe, and the High Sierras. AV8 Aviation aims to provide professional training with a focus on safety and hands-on learning, helping students achieve their dreams of becoming skilled helicopter pilots. The expert staff at AV8 Aviation has experience in various helicopter disciplines, including Grand Canyon tours, airborne law enforcement, search and rescue, helicopter logging, corporate transport, and heavy helicopter firefighting. They offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. AV8 Aviation also provides tours throughout the Sacramento Valley, including Downtown Sacramento and Folsom Lake. AV8 Flight School in Eden Prairie, MN, provides both helicopter and airplane instruction, specializing on the helicopter side. They offer advice on whether a fixed-wing or rotary-wing training path is right for you. AV8 Flight School instructors come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, allowing them to provide students with a wide range of training methods and materials to suit each individual student's needs. The school also has financing options available.

ATP Flight School is a large flight training company with locations across the United States. Founded in 1984, they offer accelerated programs focused on airline-oriented training, preparing individuals for careers as commercial pilots. ATP is a major supplier of professionally trained pilots to regional airlines and boasts the highest ratio of airline placements to students. They have partnerships with 38 regional airlines, including Envoy Air and Horizon Air. ATP also has career track programs with major airlines like United, American, and Delta. ATP operates the largest multi-engine training fleet in the world, consisting primarily of Piper Seminoles, along with Cessna CitationJets. Their single-engine fleet includes Piper Archers and Cessna Skyhawks. The school provides a structured curriculum and resources, with standardized aircraft and simulators across its nationwide locations. ATP's program is designed for speed and efficiency, allowing students to complete their instrument, commercial, and CFI ratings in a relatively short time. ATP is a Part 61 flight school. They offer programs for private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, flight instructor, and multi-engine ratings. The Airline Career Pilot Program is their most efficient path to becoming an airline pilot. ATP also offers fixed-cost pricing and financing options.

Sacramento City College offers aviation programs including an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher certificate, Air Traffic Controller preparation, and ground instruction for pilot certificates.

Offers detail-oriented training at a fair price.

Sacramento's only airfield dedicated to light sport aircraft & the sport pilot license.

Freedom Field is a family-owned and operated private airstrip located just 15 miles from downtown Sacramento, offering flight instruction in a 2-seater light sport aircraft.