Aviation ACES

I have gotten my Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot License all within this school. The instructors here are very friendly and qualified. Even if its not your own instructor, other students as well like to help if you roam around enough to talk to the other people in the building. Thank you to all the instructors who have helped me through my training. Maxi M. who's a CFII woo hoo, Barry, Hillary, and all the other instructors who gave me some of their time to help me out. The scheduling, our fuel, oil, and maintenance are all easy access, and the app that Aces have helps out with everything. And don't forget Sam, the boss. Sam is super friendly and very involved in student's training, making sure we are kept on track, and super helpful when needed. Overall, the experience here is like a family, and everyone is there for your support.

I recently got my PPL out of Aces, and it was an amazing experience! Every CFI I came across had a passion for educating and growing safe and competent pilots, and Sam, the owner, is very attentive and responsive to any needs you may have. My CFIIs Chris and Maxi were amazing and always ready to answer questions, and they got me through my certificate and checkride with ease. If you’re looking for people who share the same passion for aviation and safety, this is the place!

I recently did some time building at Aces High in Long Beach and had a great experience. I travelled over from the UK to gain experience since after receiving my PPL, I had flown very little due to the poor weather in my home country. Sam, the owner, was fantastic. He was approachable and always easy to get hold of whenever I had questions or needed anything sorted. Everything was smooth from start to finish. I did my first few hours with CFI Luc. Luc is very friendly whilst maintaining a professional attitude. His advice and approach is some of the highest quality I have received during my flying journey, The overall atmosphere at the school was very welcoming. I arrived into the US not knowing anyone so this was an additional bonus. Students and CFIs are very friendly and it was great sharing stories with them as well as hearing theirs. The maintenance of the aircraft is performed on site and to an high degree. Everything felt safe and looked after. I rarely had issues with aircraft and this made scheduling flexible with a large availability allowing me to fly everyday My 6 weeks at Aces High was overall a great experience. I recommend this flight school to any students looking to get into flying or expand their experience. Any internationals looking to time build must look no further than Aces High. The weather is near perfect, the busy SoCal airspace is challenging but rewarding, and the rates are great prices!

I recently passed my PPL checkride with Aces High, and I’m glad to have trained at a school that cares about its students. I first did a discovery flight with another school in Fullerton, but the instructor demonstrated so many maneuvers that I ended up feeling nauseous. Some schools had programs that didn’t fit my schedule, and other airports like John Wayne (SNA) often have long ground delays. I eventually chose to train in Long Beach—where I grew up—and it turned out to be a great decision. From day 1, the experience stood out. I met the owner, Sam Raymond, who was welcoming and down-to-earth. My first flight over the Long Beach harbor confirmed I was in the right place—the views over the training area are beautiful. Aces High’s aircraft and instructor rates were also more competitive than many other schools. Aviation isn’t easy, but it’s very rewarding, and having the right support makes a big difference. Sam, Joy (Chief Instructor), and my main instructor Maxi M. were key in helping me pass my checkride. The school also has a great group of instructors—Chris, Luc, Grayson, Aston, Hilary, Sharon, Hannah, Mike, and Justin— all great people to learn from.

I got my VFR pilot license from Aces high aviation last year and can’t say enough good things about this school. First of all there’s Sam the owner, and the first person you will meet with. He takes his time to introduce himself, the school and a custom class/flight schedule based on your availability. He’s honest from the beginning about what you should expect and about prices, he explained the process from beginning to end and answered any questions and concerns I had prior to starting. He will match you with a CFI that will be available based on your schedule. Also he always made himself available throughout the months I was attending his school to answer any questions or if I needed any help. The atmosphere at Aces high was relaxed, without pressure and all the CFIs were super friendly and helpful, there’s a good feeling of camaraderie in the air. You can see that they all help each other and are really passionate and knowledgeable. The planes are in great condition and they have plenty of them, Cessnas 152s, 172s, and twin engine. I’m definitely coming back next year to continue my pilot training and get my IFR from Aces High.