Welcome to Palo Alto Airport, your neighborhood gateway to the sky!
Perhaps you have taken notice of the small aircraft overhead, or you have always dreamed of flying a plane yourself. If so, you have plenty of company. There are approximately 20,000 people like you in California who followed that dream to earn their FAA private pilot certificate.
You can start learning what you need to know immediately by reading on your own! Some of the best and easiest to understand books are available for free download from the FAA. (Hard copies may also be purchased.)
Learn more about the process of learning to fly generally.
To learn to fly specifically in Palo Alto, the first steps are:
- Choose one of the aircraft rental businesses located at Palo Alto Airport
- Choose an instructor
- Obtain a medical certificate
If you are uncertain how you would feel flying, before you commit to joining a school or club, you should schedule a “Discovery Flight”. This is a one time introductory flight lesson.
There are several flight businesses based at Palo Alto Airport. Contact them directly and ask questions or schedule some actual flying. You may wish to consider one of the following clubs first which are supporting members of the Palo Alto Airport Association.
| West Valley Flying Club | Advantage Aviation Training Discovery Flight |
Scholarships
There are several organizations that offer scholarships to assist students with the costs of flight training. See a partial list here at AOPA.
Youth Introductory Flights
Free introductory flights are sometime available from volunteers through the EAA Young Eagles program.