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Become a Commercial Pilot in Less Than a Year

Our Commercial Pilot program in sunny San Diego, California gives you the shortest pathway to a professional career.

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Employers Who Hire Our Graduates

  • American Airlines logo
  • Delta airlines logo
  • AeroMexico Airlines Logo (1)

Pilot Job Outlook is Strong

Employment for airline and commercial pilots are projected to grow 6% from 2021-2031, with a median salary of $211,790.*

6%Projected growth

$211,790Median salary

female pilot

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes532011.htm Site visited on 6/8/2023. Also, job market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program and may differ based on your geographic location and other factors.

Job Placement Assistance - For Life

At CFA, our success is your success. Starting on day one, we aim to provide our students with the resources needed for a successful career. This is why we assist our graduates, for life, with the following:

  • Career coaching

  • Interview preparation

  • Resume Building

  • License & rating transition

  • Building a professional network

  • Job placement assistance

Customize Your Personalized Training Pathway

At CFA, we offer training pathways in the following:

Guaranteed Job Interview for CFA Graduates

If you earn your private, instrument, and commercial licenses from CFA, and your CFI from any school, we’ll guarantee you a job interview. This will allow you to earn additional flight hours to be hired as a pilot. Many newly licensed pilots earn their flight instructor ratings so they can teach students and earn up to 1,000 hours or more of flight time while getting paid!

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Highly Recommended by Students & Graduates

  • “California Flight Academy has been the best place to jumpstart my aviation journey.”
    –Viv G.
  • “CFA is a great school that truly cares about its students.”
    –Paola R.
  • “Great people and great atmosphere.”
    –Richard S.
  • “Between game nights, welcome parties, and exhibitions, I strongly recommend CFA.”
    –Ron
  • “CFA always makes sure their planes are maintained and in safe conditions.”
    –Francis D.
  • "I was looking for very good customer service, good location, plenty of airplanes to train in, and good weather. I found everything I was looking for in CFA."
    –Luis Manuel Gómez Hernández
  • "CFA has the best weather to fly with good training facilities. Now I'm a Boeing 737 First Officer at Miat Mongolian Airlines!"
    –Tuguldur Boldbaatar
  • "My CFA experience was amazing. The instructors are so loving and caring - the best I could have asked for."
    –Mitchell Ross
  • "I’m glad I chose CFA, because all of the staff and instructors are very humble and kind. All the students here are very friendly, and I have made friends from all over the world. This makes CFA my home away from home."
    –Irfan Asif
  • "CFA was a great experience for me. I had everything to take my first steps in aviation. I'm now a Boeing 737 First Officer!"
    –Galina Marakhovskaya
  • “I just want to say thank you for my whole private pilot training experience. Two months ago I passed my final release check ride and now I’m an Airbus 319 First Officer!”
    –Alberto Porras Lozano
  • “After much research I chose CFA. The friends I made here and the knowledgeable instructors have made it very easy for me to secure my future in the skies. In my opinion, this is the best place to study and to get your license.”
    –Maharshi Patel

Benefits of Training at California Flight Academy

  • pilot training in cockpit

    Personalized Mentoring

    Get one-on-one support and mentoring from licensed, experienced flight instructors.

  • gillespie field

    Gillespie Field

    Located on Gillespie Field Airport, you’ll get experience with air traffic control communications.

  • prop airplane over san diego

    San Diego Weather

    With 260 days of sunshine year-round, you’ll have plenty of days to build maximum flight hours.

  • flight training simulator

    Modern Aircraft

    Maintained above FAA industry standards, our aircraft will provide you a safe training environment.

  • female pilot flying prop plane

    Job Placement Assistance

    We’ll help you get connected with the right airlines so you can advance your pilot career.

  • private pilots give thumbs up form cockpit

    Build a Network

    We plan and sponsor various student events throughout the year so you’ll develop friendships – for life.

Graduate Success

Not only do we receive high satisfaction ratings from our graduates, but they also are placed with some of the top airlines around the globe.

  • Amazing Experience

    "My CFA experience was amazing. The instructors are so loving and caring - the best I could have asked for."

    Mitchell Ross,

    – Mitchell Ross

  • Home Away from Home

    "I’m glad I chose CFA, because all of the staff and instructors are very humble and kind. All the students here are very friendly, and I have made friends from all over the world. This makes CFA my home away from home."

    Irfan Asif

    – Irfan Asif

  • Found Everything

    "I was looking for very good customer service, good location, plenty of airplanes to train in, and good weather. I found everything I was looking for in CFA."

    Luis Manuel Gómez Hernández

    – Luis Manuel Gómez Hernández

  • Boeing 737 First Officer

    "CFA was a great experience for me. I had everything to take my first steps in aviation. I'm now a Boeing 737 First Officer!"

    Galina Marakhovskaya

    – Galina Marakhovskaya

  • Miat Mongolian Airlines

    "CFA has the best weather to fly with good training facilities. Now I'm a Boeing 737 First Officer at Miat Mongolian Airlines!"

    Tuguldur Boldbaatar,

    – Tuguldur Boldbaatar

  • Airbus 319 First Officer

    “I just want to say thank you for my whole private pilot training experience. Two months ago I passed my final release check ride and now I’m an Airbus 319 First Officer!”

    Alberto Porras Lozano

    – Alberto Porras Lozano

  • Airbus 319 First Officer

    “After much research I chose CFA. The friends I made here and the knowledgeable instructors have made it very easy for me to secure my future in the skies. In my opinion, this is the best place to study and to get your license.”

    Maharshi Patel,

    – Maharshi Patel

Our Blog

  • Commercial Aircraft in Flight
    June 7, 2022 // Tags:

    The Commercial Pilot Shortage and the Future of the Industry

    We’re living in an interesting period historically where career choices are wider open than they’ve been in decades. You may...

    Read more »
  • Commercial Pilot standing on Tarmac
    May 28, 2022 // Tags:

    FAA Licenses and the Ratings to Become a Commercial Pilot: What You Need to Know

    Working as a paid commercial pilot entails more than having an education. You must also be rated and hold the...

    Read more »
  • Female Pilot with Sunglasses
    February 11, 2022 // Tags:

    The Soft Skills That Commercial Flight Pilots Must Possess

    You’ve had an interest in airplanes for your entire life, and maybe you’ve even been allowed to fly supervised, or...

    Read more »
  • Female Commercial Pilot in Cockpit
    February 8, 2022 // Tags:

    5 Reasons Southern California Is the Best Place for Commercial Pilot Training

    Are you seeking commercial pilot training but you’re not sure where in the country to enroll? Try a Southern California...

    Read more »