Take Flight San Diego                Last Visit: 11.26.2008


Complete flight training for private, instrument, commercial, and CFI. Specializing in accelerated format or can also accommodate traditional hourly training approach. Over 50 airplanes available at Montgomery, Gillespie, and Ramona airports. 100% check ride success rate since beginning instruction in 2004. Click "interested" to contact me.

We're a flight organization based in San Diego, California
School Type:   Part 61.  

Training Area:   Local.  



Instruction Materials:    Jeppesen, ASA, Gleim, FAA and Custom.  

Syllabus:   Custom.  



Category:    Airplane (Fixed Wing).  

Certificates:    Sport Pilot, Recreational, Private, Commercial, CFI and CFII.  

Ratings:    VFR, IFR, Commercial, CFI and CFII.  

Class:   Single Engine Land.  

Engines:   Single.  

Endorsement:    Complex, Taildragger and High Performance.  

Recurrent Training:    Flight Review, Instrument Proficiency Check, Aircraft Checkouts and Insurance Checkouts.  

Training Orientation:    Business (Private) and Recreation (all non-commercial flight).  

Career Focus:   Flight Instruction.  

Type of Curriculum:    Ground School, Self-Paced, All-inclusive, Accelerated (full days, intense) and FITS - FAA Scenario based training.  



Technically Advanced Aircraft:    Glass Cockpit(Garmin G1000), etc, TCAS - Collision Avoidance and Autopilot.  

Type of Rental:    Students only and Licensed Pilots.  

Type of Airplanes Available:   Cessna 152, 172, 177, 182, 210, Piper Warrior, Archer, Saratoga, Malibu, Cirrus SR22, Citabria, Bellanca, Grumman Tiger, Diamond 42, Sportstar  

Aircraft Rental Rates:   Range of $90/hr for C152 to $265/hr for Malibu or Cirrus  



Training Facilities:    Dedicated Classroom, Lounge, Dedicated Study Area, Flight Planning Area and Simulator.  

Airport Facilities:    Control Tower, ILS, Weather computer terminal, Pilot Shop and Restaurant.  

Airport Locations (codes):   MYF SEE RNM  



Pricing Info:   Fannie Mae Pilot Financing  

Financial Assistance:   Student Loans.  



Professional Affiliations:   AOPA.  



Weather:   Mild climate - sunny year round  



School Description
Dedicated full time instructors who are not in transition to an airline career. Instructors will be there for the duration of your training. One of the most professional flight training schools in California. Over 50 airplanes are available at three airports in the San Diego area through Plus One Flyers, one of the largest and best flying clubs in the U.S.

Staff Qualification
Dave Simpson, owner and primary flight instructor is an experienced CFI, with both Gold Seal CFI and Master CFI accreditation, making him a member of a select group of flight instructors. Out of 91,000 flight instructors nationwide, only about 200 have both of these accreditations. Dave also enjoys a 100% checkride success rate with all students from private, instrument, commercial, and CFI. Dave is a professional flight instructor whose only mission is your success.

More About Us
The quality, professionalism, and stability of the instructors and the diversity of the airplane fleet. You will not find this combination elsewhere. Over 50 airplanes are available at KSEE, KMYF, and KRNM

Testimonials
Testimonials from Beginners Taylor Wallace (Age 17) Dave Simpson is an excellent flight instructor. He is extremely knowledgeable and can explain concepts easily. He is willing to instruct at a pace that is right for you and I would highly recommend him to anyone who is interested in learning to fly. I passed my private checkride on the first attempt even though before the training I had never flown a plane before. I am now enrolled in the aviation program at St Cloud University and plan to become a commercial airline pilot. - Sept, 2007 Todd Warner I've had the pleasure of working on my private pilot certificate with Dave Simpson and greatly appreciated his professionalism and patience. As a working professional, often my erratic schedule made consistent flight training impossible. However, Dave made himself available, mornings before work, evenings after work and weekends to accommodate my schedule. Dave was extremely patient, never chastising or making me feel incompetent - he was always professional. He never had any doubt I could complete the certificate which is more than I could say for myself. As a private instructor, I knew Dave was in this for the joy of instructing, not just to build hours to move onto a career the airlines. He demonstrates a true passion for general aviation and sharing that joy with others. I look forward to continuing my training with Dave. - May 2008 Testimonials from Advanced Students Mike Costello I had been taking my IFR training with another instructor. I had lots of training hours with not too much to show for it. Finally, I reached the point where I realized I was not really progressing and certainly not building my IFR confidence level. I approached Dave Simpson and asked if he would be willing to take me on and hopefully complete my training. The rest is history! Dave laid out a specialized training schedule for me and in no time at all, I was ready for my check ride which I passed! Today, I have the confidence to fly in the IFR system and my approaches are still right on! Thanks Dave! - Dec, 2006 David Walsh I am writing this after completion of Dave's 7 Day Accelerated IFR training program and resultant successful completion of the oral and checkride. Dave's program was thorough, intuitive and efficient. Especially noteworthy is Dave’s ability to simplify many of the complex processes associated with IFR coursework and present a simple, real-world solution that "sticks." I came to Dave with many misconceptions gleaned from prior instructors and a lack of the IFR discipline that differentiates IFR from VFR. Within a short time I learned more than I had in months of prior training. Even after I was "signed-off," and weather delayed the checkride, Dave provided timely refresher training to ensure that the learned skills did not erode. Needless to say, I believe Dave's approach works. It certainly worked with the examiner today. I would recommend him to anyone seeking an IFR rating. - Dec, 2007 Craig Foster For those interested in obtaining their instrument rating in a timely and efficient manner, I recommend Dave Simpson's IFR course. After completing his seven-day course and within five days of passing the checkride, I was confidently and safely flying within the ATC system. Dave's methodology is to focus intently on those areas required to pass both the oral and practical tests while also providing real-world knowledge based on his personal experience. The first few days were spent drilling and practicing on his in-home flight simulator. The last few days were spent doing air work. Each night was spent alone studying and reviewing systems and procedures and preparing for the next day's lesson. If you are one who is unable to spend countless months of on-again/off-again training at a local flight school, then I strongly suggest you contact Mr. Simpson to see how his program will help you successfully obtain your instrument rating both safely and efficiently. - Mar, 2008 Mike Dechnik It was a pleasure working with Dave Simpson while pursuing my instrument rating. I passed the practical test and obtained the rating in just two weeks after contacting you. I had really struggled in my previous flight training while flying only once or twice a week and the accelerated instrument training that you provided was the perfect solution for getting me back on track, thoroughly learning the IFR system, and reinforcing the procedures to the point where they became good flying habits. After spending several hours on the simulator, I certainly felt more at ease with the holds and different approaches, and began to feel really confident as I felt it all coming together. Together we set an aggressive goal, and achieved it. What a great feeling! I was able to file an IFR flight plan and fly down to Sun N’ Fun in Lakeland, FL just a few days after getting the ticket, while my VFR-only friends never made it, waiting for ceilings and weather to improve along the route. That alone made your training program worth every penny! I have already recommended your accelerated instrument training program to others and will continue to do so in the future. - Mar, 2008 John Morrow Dave Simpson is a thoroughly professional flight instructor. He was extremely organized and dedicated to my successful completion of this training. Dave made the learning experience very enjoyable for me. His training methods impart all of the skills needed to obtain the IFR rating in a very short period of time. After completing the training, I felt well prepared for the checkride. He was able to adapt the program to cover a few areas of weakness in my flying experience due to limited flight experience in the last two years. This experience will be something that I will look back on as a worthy investment in both time and money. I highly recommend Dave to anyone considering pilot training. - Apr, 2008 John Matter Wow! Now that I can relax and enjoy this major accomplishment, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for doing such a great job as my instructor. To successfully complete the Commercial Pilot Certificate in five days was nothing short of incredible! Your total knowledge of the flying requirements, the ability to have me perform at my best and your overall total professional capability made this successful outcome possible. There was a tremendous amount of technical information and flying maneuvers to squeeze into a short span of time. At the start, it seemed to be an overwhelming task to undertake. You were able to accommodate my schedule and never had me feel rushed or pressured. I know you were not satisfied until you thought I was ready. It was your relaxing, yet so thorough approach during those many practice hours that made it possible for me to hear those words, “You passed! - Feb, 2008


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