Fly with Us!The sky isn’t the limit. It’s your new playground.
Most people spend their lives looking up, wondering what it’s like. We think you’d look much better looking down—from 5,000 feet with your hands on the controls. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or a complete career pivot, your journey from the tarmac to the clouds starts right here.
Why Choose Stanford Flying Club?
Training Pilots in the Bay Area Since 1930
- Integrated Flight Training System. This system brings together inteactive online learning, one-on-one ground instruction, and real in-the-airplane scenario-based training. Designed by Cessna Aircraft to make flight training cost-effective and more effective overall.
- Great Aircraft Availability. Our club's fleet flexes with the size of the club to maintain fantastic availability to train when you want.
- Collegiate Atmosphere. You can learn to fly in a friendly and professional setting.
Discovery Flight
If you are motivated to learn to fly, a Discovery Flight is a great way to check out Stanford Flying Club. Think of this as the ultimate test drive. The Discovery Flight includes approximately:
- 1 Hour Loggable Flight Time with 1 hour of flight instruction
- 1 Hour Ground Instruction
- 1 Hour Club & Facility Overview
In the club overview you can learn about the pilot certification process, the flight training syllabus, and costs. During the flight, you take the controls. From pre-flight checks and take-off to in-flight maneuvers and landing, you’ll experience exactly what it’s like to be a pilot, followed by a briefing on how to continue your journey.
Priced at 1 hour flight + 2 hours ground at member rates.
- For one person only, no passengers
(under 18 may be accompanied by parent or guardian) - Does not include sightseeing or tours. This is a flight lesson
- Guest membership status is included with the introductory lesson.
Continuing towards earning your pilot certificate...
Our club-approved instructors use an exclusive flight training system which is divided into three stages. Each stage is comprised of home study, multiple flight and ground lessons with your instructor, and culminates with a progress check to ensure you are ready to proceed to the next stage.
1
Solo Pilot License
FAA Student Pilot Certificate
- Learn to maneuver the airplane
- Converse with air traffic control
- Practice take-offs and landings
- Understand some Federal Aviation Regulations
Completion of this stage:
- Receive your Student Pilot Certificate and Solo Pilot endorsements.
- Complete your first Solo Flight!
2
Cross-Country & Night Flight
- Practice short-field and soft-field takeoff and landings
- Understand aircraft performance
- Learn how to recognize and avoid weather hazards
- Navigate to airports further away
- Practice safely handling emergencies
Completion of this stage:
- Receive your solo cross-country endorsements.
- Fly to airports further away on your own!
3
Sport or Private Pilot Certificate
Explore The World
During this stage you will practice for your practical test.
At the end of this stage you will be ready for your sport pilot or private pilot checkride. After passing your checkride you can explore the continent by air!
Advanced Pilot Training
Frequently Asked Questions
All students start by obtaining a Solo Pilot License. After that, we recommend you obtain a Private Pilot certificate. If cost is a concern, the Sport Pilot certificate usually costs less. A Sport Pilot certificate also does not require an FAA medical certificate. In many cases, a valid US driver's license can be used as proof of medical fitness.
A Private Pilot certificate offers greater privileges and fewer limitations than a Sport Pilot certificate. For example, a Sport Pilot can only carry one passenger.
Please contact us if you have questions about which certificate is right for you.
The cost to earn a pilot license can vary from person to person. It depends on the type of license you choose—such as a Solo Pilot Certificate, a Sport Pilot Certificate, or a Private Pilot Certificate—and on how quickly you learn. Flying takes practice and dedication, and every student progresses at their own pace.
Your total cost can change based on fuel prices, how often you train, and weather delays. If you fly with an instructor, their hourly rate is added to your rental costs. Optional and complementary services, along with training materials like headsets, books, or charts, can also increase your overall spending.
Most students earn their Private Pilot License in about 70–80 hours of flight time, even though the FAA minimum requirement is 40 hours. You should also plan for extra costs such as training materials, equipment, and FAA exam fees, which often total around $2,000–$3,000.
Instrument Flight Rating flight-training (or obtaining the “IFR Rating”) comes after the Private Pilot’s License training. Instrument Pilots learn to control the aircraft solely by reference to the plane’s instruments. With an Instrument Rating, you will be able to fly in more marginal weather conditions and fly through clouds.
Commercial training is for those pilots who want to carry passengers or freight for hire. Details about FAA requirements are available from the Club’s office. The requirements include 10 hours of flight time in a “complex aircraft”. Credits from prior flight experience can be used.
No. Stanford Flying Club is an independent non-profit educational corporation that's open to the public.
If you are not a US citizen, you will need to obtain approval from the US Transporation Security Administration's Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) to take flying lessons. We can help you with the process so you can start your training. Just contact us!
If you would like to take an introductory flight to see if you like flying, we can offer this without starting the TSA process.
You may need an appropriate type of visa to enter the US. Our understanding is if you plan to enter the US primarily for flight training, in a full time course of over 18 hrs per week, you will need a student (M-1) visa. We are currently a part 61 flight school, so we cannot issue this type of visa.
On the other hand, if your visit is mainly for tourism or business and you’d like to take flight lessons part time (less than 18hrs per week), then you may not need a student visa and you may be able to enter with a tourist or business visa or on the visa waiver program. See the US Immigration web site and do check with your nearest US Consulate.
Unfortunately we do not offer any scholarships at this time.