GET TO KNOW THE SCHOOL
A closer look.
Take Flight San Diego presents individual instruction with Dave Simpson, including accelerated instrument, commercial, CFI and CFII courses. Its wider training menu includes private-pilot lessons, instrument finish-up work, Cirrus transitions, flight reviews, avionics familiarization and experience-building flights. Aircraft access is arranged through the Plus One Flyers club; the instructor-course pages identify Cessna 172 and Piper Archer rental options rather than a separately owned school fleet. CFI candidates can receive feedback on lesson presentations before arriving. The published course descriptions emphasize advance preparation and a schedule tailored to the student’s existing experience.
Individual accelerated instruction
The provider specializes in one-to-one instrument, commercial and instructor training.
Prepare before arrival
The CFI course describes advance lesson-plan preparation and optional remote presentation feedback.
Published training options.
The school’s published options are summarized below. Each note explains the training type and what to clarify when comparing the school’s exact course.
Private pilot
A private-pilot training path. Compare the aircraft used, ground-school arrangements and how lessons progress from initial skills to practical-test preparation.
Accelerated instrument rating
Training focused on instrument flying, procedures and planning. Compare aircraft and simulator use, scheduling and the preparation expected before flight lessons.
Instrument rating finish-up
Training focused on instrument flying, procedures and planning. Compare aircraft and simulator use, scheduling and the preparation expected before flight lessons.
Commercial pilot
A commercial-pilot training option. Ask which aircraft category, prerequisites, experience-building flights and practical-test preparation are included.
Flight instructor (CFI)
Training in teaching, lesson preparation and instructional flying. Ask which instructor qualification is included and how practice teaching is assessed.
Instrument instructor (CFII)
Preparation for instrument-instruction responsibilities. Confirm the required existing instructor qualification and whether simulator work is part of the course.
Cirrus transition
Preparation for a particular aircraft or operating configuration. Confirm the model, avionics, entry experience and qualification or checkout the course provides.
Flight reviews
A review for an existing pilot, tailored to experience and recent flying. Ask how ground discussion and flight activities are planned.
Complex and high-performance endorsements
Training for a particular aircraft feature or operating requirement. Confirm the aircraft, required ground topics and endorsement scope.
Advanced avionics training
Ask the school for the syllabus, entry requirements, training location and complete cost for this specific option.
Refresher training
Training to refresh or maintain existing skills. Agree on the aircraft, objectives and expected preparation for your current experience level.
Hour building
Flying intended to develop experience. Ask who acts as pilot in command, which time can be logged and how aircraft, fuel and insurance charges work.
The CFI and CFII pages separate instruction charges from airplane rental and describe preparation before arrival. Published models refer to club aircraft used for instruction.
Aircraft & training scope
Aircraft categories: Airplane
Published aircraft models: Cessna 172, Piper Archer
Instruction is arranged around San Diego-area airports and Plus One Flyers aircraft. Confirm the airport, club membership and specific aircraft for your course.
Published accelerated schedules and checkride arrangements require direct confirmation. No pass rate or completion guarantee is inferred from the website.
Training framework & verification
Part 61: Explicit in supplied source; not rechecked for this import. A source listing is not a current FAA approval check or a quality rating.
FAA reference: faa.gov. Confirm the approved course and training location with the school. Part 61 describes training rules; it does not itself identify an FAA-certificated school.
TRAINING FIT
Our school review.
This format may suit a pilot who can prepare thoroughly before dedicating several days to one-to-one instruction. Compare the total trip and training budget, because the instructor-course fee excludes airplane rental and club membership adds separate requirements. Ask for written confirmation of the instructor’s availability, the airport and aircraft, examiner arrangements and what happens if more training days are needed. Headline course lengths should be treated as planning formats; the detailed pages acknowledge that preparation and proficiency affect the schedule.
An AI-assisted editorial assessment of the school’s published information. This is separate from student feedback. We have not attended or inspected this school.
WHAT THE AVAILABLE FEEDBACK TELLS US
Student review evidence.
Accessible review evidence for Take Flight San Diego in San Diego is limited. The detailed training accounts are seven to twelve years old; a brief noise complaint is not treated as student feedback. One older reviewer praises individualized, flexible lessons. Another historical student describes a teaching-style mismatch and disagreement over simulator billing and cancellation charges. The available accounts are too narrow, dated or uncertain in scope to establish current student consensus. Treat them as individual experiences rather than typical outcomes, and verify the course, airport and period with recent local students. Written scheduling, payment and progression arrangements are more useful than assuming the same experience will recur.
2.7 / 53 reviews
This location
Platform display checked on 2026-10-23. Google subset collected July 31, 2026; not a live score.
Source snapshot: 2026-07-31What reviewers appreciated
- One older reviewer praises individualized, flexible lessons. [1]
Concerns reported
- Another historical student describes a teaching-style mismatch and disagreement over simulator billing and cancellation charges. [1]
How to read this evidence
Small, dated or uncertain review sample; no representative current student consensus established.
Follow up with the school
- Can I speak with two recent San Diego students who completed my intended course?
- What lesson frequency, instructor continuity, final costs and checkride timeline should I expect in writing?
Read the review sources
- Take Flight San Diego: Flight School in El Cajon, CA Third-party source
Small, dated or uncertain review sample; no representative current student consensus established.
AI-assisted summary of the cited material. Public comments are individual experiences; the sample may be small, selective, or dated.
How we prepare review summariesMAKE YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION COUNT
Questions for Take Flight San Diego.
- What written-test, experience and lesson-plan preparation must I finish before arrival?
- Which airport and Plus One Flyers aircraft will be reserved for my course?
- What is the full estimate including instruction, aircraft, club fees, examiner charges and lodging?
- How are extra training days, weather delays, examiner changes and cancellation handled?
Sources & listing information.
School facts are compiled from the source material below. Imported record identifiers are retained for traceability and are not presented as proof of current certification.
- Training menu and arrangements
- Training
- CFII course
- Take Flight San Diego overview
- CFI course
- Source-record reference: bestaviation.netReference retained from the supplied spreadsheet; current content not rechecked for this import.
- faa.gov — Pilot Schools InformationFAA guidance on certificated schools and other flight-training providers.
- faa.gov — Find a FacilityFAA pilot-school facility reference. Part 61 instruction is not a separate FAA school certification.
View source record references
P61-149AAD9C5B
Part_61_Flight_School_Websites (1).csv