Orange County Sunbird Aviation.

I’ve really enjoyed flying with Sunrise. The DA-40 has a surprising amount of payload it carry after full tanks, and I can climb up to 11k easily over the mountains on my way back and forth from SNA to MHV. The team is fun to work with and the check-out process is very straight forward.

Such a great experience! I'd always thought about taking a flight lesson & finally got around to it today. The people at Sunrise are super friendly , the prices are reasonable and the instructor let me take over for a little while on my first flight - great time!

I stopped by to inquire about CFI training. Linda the front desk staff was welcoming and answered questions. First impression: place looks good, I’m glad there’s a front desk person (answers phone/doors open if you stop by unannounced). This place even does the PSI FAA written exams. For those interested in CFI training, it is only offered when the owner (Bill?) needs one. Most likely in C172P. Apologies if my info isn’t up to date, it’s been awhile.

Although the quality of the instruction is probably good, their schedule is such that my training got continuously delayed for over 6 months before I asked to zero the balance on my account and they told me no. If you work M-F, 8-5 they only are open Saturdays. The instructors are so booked on weekends that a missed lesson (VFR weather isn't VFR enough, flat tire, instructor surgery, instructor illness, instructor vacation- all real excuses given to me) means rescheduling a lesson a month or so out. The scheduling is not conducive to learning. The airport is Class C and busy so for your hour of scheduled time, more of it is dealing with clearance delivery and taxi operations than actual flying. Don't go here unless you have no other option.

I trained here in the 90s and continue to rent and stay current in their planes. The fleet has been updated with some DA-40s and a new simulator. I still fly occasionally with Pam H. and I can't imagine a better instructor. The place has an old school feel with a lot of history, and you can really see that pilot proficiency is their highest goal. Bring some dog treats for the office mascot and he will love you forever.