★★★★☆
4 out of 5
4 months ago
I have been flying with Advantage Aviation for a year and a half now, earned my Private Pilot License, and will soon complete my Instrument Rating. The biggest thing I want to point out is that if you are looking to fly at the lowest possible cost, this place is probably not for you. You are going to find much cheaper options elsewhere. Advantage is likely one of the more expensive places to learn in the Bay Area. Instructors cost over $100 an hour, and the Cessna 172s are typically in the low to mid $200s per hour. Because of that, I would not put much weight on any cost estimates you read online, as training here will likely cost significantly more. For a PPL plan to spend 35-$50k if you are going part time (2-3 times a week).
The instructors are knowledgeable, and most are quite experienced. They typically do not spend much time on ground instruction unless you specifically ask for it, but at these rates, you are generally better off doing much of the learning on your own and using the instructors to focus on problem areas and go over hot topics. The front desk has always been very accommodating and helpful, even going so far as to help you get a plane if yours ends up being grounded for maintenance. The club fleet is fairly large, so there usually are not many issues finding an airplane during most of the week, although availability can get a little tighter on weekends if you are booking on short notice.
However, if you are able to handle the higher price tags, the airplanes are actually quite nice. There is a fairly large selection of glass cockpit Cessna 172s, and if you want something a little more advanced, they also have some great Cirrus aircraft, along with Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot-certified instructors. The club has a safety-first mentality that goes beyond simply wanting to protect its aircraft from careless renters. They encourage pilots to squawk any items they are even slightly concerned about, and maintenance is usually quick to address them. Often, issues are resolved within a day or two. Like any club, there are a few aircraft that may be better to avoid if you want to minimize the chance of running into an issue, but you can be confident that the planes are at least safe and airworthy.
Kevin Paige
