For the past 50 years, we've had a simple mission: to make flying fun, safe, and affordable. Whether you’re a complete beginner, an experienced pilot, or a tourist seeking an unforgettable aerial view of the Bay Area, we're here to help.
What makes us different? Unlike huge, impersonal flight schools, we offer truly personalized instruction to all our students. We won’t give you an inexperienced instructor who merely wants to build flight time and move to the airlines. Our veteran instructors all share a
genuine love of teaching. We also offer a convenient pilot shop, plus FAA computerized testing for all aviation certificates and ratings.
If you’re a renter pilot, you’re probably tired of flying beat-up, poorly-maintained aircraft.
We understand. That’s why we offer a diverse fleet of well-maintained aircraft, from
single-engine trainers to a turbocharged multiengine Seneca II.
Finally, our low prices set us apart from the competition. For example, our brand-new 2003 Cessna 172SP rents for $25 per hour less than any other comparable aircraft in the Bay
Area. To learn more, call us at 510-887-7686, email us, or simply stop by our office between
9 am and 6 pm, seven days a week. We’d love to fly with you.
For a complete list of our club rules, click here.
JOIN OUR CLUB
It's FREE to join California Airways. (Other clubs charge initiation fees as high as $300!)
Our club dues are just $20 per month, charged only in the months that you fly. Most clubs charge dues every month, whether you fly or not. And their dues are much higher.
Here's how to join:
1. Print and complete our membership application.
2. Print and keep a copy of our club rules.
3. Stop by our office and give us your membership application. We normally approve your application immediately, so you can take your first flight right away.
4. If you are a US citizen, bring proof of citizenship (your passport, birth certificate, or other document that proves citizenship). Now, skip down to step #7 (below).
5. If you are not a US citizen, and you are seeking training for the sport, recreational, or private pilot certificates, instrument rating, or multiengine rating, you must complete the Transportation Security Administration's verification process. Visit the TSA web site and register as a "Candidate" for the Alien Flight Student Training Program. Select California Airways, Inc. as your course provider. TSA approval must be granted before you begin training. TSA approval is required for all non-citizens, even if you have a green card.
6. If you are not a U.S. citizen, and you are not a legal U.S. resident, and you are seeking flight training, you will need both TSA approval and an M-1 student visa. We sponsor international students for the M-1 visa, and we will help you get TSA approval.
Click here for application information.
If you aren't a US citizen or resident, but you are already a licensed pilot, and you simply wish to rent our aircraft without receiving training for one of the certificates or ratings listed above, you do not need TSA approval and you do not need a special visa. However, you will need to convert your foreign pilot certificate to a US FAA certificate. Click here for specific instructions.
7.) If you're already a licensed pilot, please follow these additional steps:
8.) Complete our written initiation test.
9.) Before you rent an aircraft solo, you must complete a familiarization sheet for each make and model of aircraft that you rent. You must also complete a checkout flight with a club CFI. Click here for a full list of prerequisites for renting our aircraft.
To learn more, call 510-887-7686, email us, or stop by our office. We’d love to fly with you.
