Clear answers before you begin.

Robbie's flight and ground instruction rate is $70 per hour. Aircraft rental is separate and varies by aircraft. Current rental options and rates are listed on the aircraft page; rates and availability should be confirmed before scheduling.

No. You may train in a suitable owner-provided aircraft or Robbie can help arrange a rental through a partner school at Van Nuys.

Yes, provided the aircraft is suitable, airworthy, properly equipped for the planned training, and acceptable under applicable insurance and operating requirements. Aircraft-owner training can make the instruction directly relevant to the airplane you normally fly.

Robbie provides private, sport, instrument, and commercial training, along with flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks, aircraft-owner training, and targeted proficiency work.

An independent instructor provides instruction directly rather than presenting the business as a flight school. Robbie builds an individual Part 61 plan, provides flight and ground instruction, tracks progress, and can help coordinate access to suitable rental aircraft through a separate provider.

Most students progress efficiently when they fly at least once or twice per week. The right schedule depends on availability, goals, weather, and aircraft access.

Completion time depends on prior cross-country and instrument experience, lesson frequency, study progress, weather, aircraft availability, and demonstrated proficiency. A logbook review and initial flight produce a more useful estimate than a fixed advertised timeline.

Yes. Robbie provides instrument training from Van Nuys in G1000 and conventional-panel aircraft. Training can include local procedures, holds, approaches, cross-country IFR, weather decisions, and practical-test preparation in Southern California airspace.

A CFI is a certificated flight instructor. CFII is the common term for an instructor who also holds instrument-airplane instructor privileges and may provide the instrument training required for an airplane instrument rating. Robbie holds both CFI and CFII privileges.

Yes. Students should complete an FAA-approved online ground school and obtain the required completion certificate. In-person instruction then focuses on applying that knowledge.

An eligible pilot may use a current and valid U.S. driver's license as medical qualification for applicable daytime sport-pilot operations. The driver's-license pathway has FAA medical-history restrictions, and a pilot may not fly with a known medical condition that would make the operation unsafe. Night Sport Pilot privileges require additional training and endorsement plus an FAA medical certificate or BasicMed qualification.

Yes, if you meet the applicable eligibility, knowledge, training, experience, endorsement, and practical-test requirements and have access to an aircraft that qualifies for the intended Sport Pilot privileges. Robbie offers one-on-one Sport Pilot training from Van Nuys.

Yes. Robbie provides flight reviews at Van Nuys. The FAA minimum is one hour of ground training and one hour of flight training, but completion requires satisfactory demonstration of the knowledge and maneuvers needed to exercise your pilot privileges safely.

An instrument proficiency check is a proficiency evaluation for an instrument-rated pilot under 14 CFR § 61.57. It covers the applicable instrument tasks and is often used by pilots who need to restore instrument currency or want a structured return to IFR proficiency.

Van Nuys can be an effective training base for students who want regular experience with tower operations, radio communication, traffic flow, and the Los Angeles ATC system. Nearby practice areas and airports also support maneuver, cross-country, and instrument training. Busy-airport operations require thoughtful lesson planning, and not every lesson benefits from remaining in the immediate airport area.

Yes. Bring your logbook, endorsements, knowledge-test status, syllabus or training notes if available, and an honest summary of what has gone well or been difficult. Robbie will assess current proficiency and build the next stage from the work you have already completed.

Yes. Training can focus on aircraft transitions, Los Angeles airspace and radio work, cross-country planning, instrument proficiency, return-to-flying work, or other clearly defined goals. A flight review or IPC can be incorporated when applicable.

No. Endorsements are issued after the required training and when the student demonstrates the applicable knowledge, risk management, and flight proficiency. Training prepares students for the ACS, but no instructor can guarantee a practical-test result.

Robbie is based at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and primarily trains there. Training at another Los Angeles-area airport may be possible by arrangement, especially in a suitable student-owned aircraft.

Text or email Robbie with your current experience, certificate or rating goal, aircraft access, and typical weekly availability.