Fleet of Training Aircraft

flight school Van Nuys training aircraft

Diamond DA20 Hourly Aircraft Rental

$169.00

PER HOUR

Diamond DA20 — Hourly Aircraft Rental

Sporty, modern, and a genuine pleasure to fly — the Diamond DA20 pairs a bubble canopy with exceptional all-around visibility and crisp, responsive handling. Its composite airframe and fuel efficiency make it a favorite for primary training, instrument work, and confidence-building flights over the Los Angeles basin.

4.9 on 500+ reviewsPanoramic canopyFuel-efficientSporty handling
CompositeModern airframe
Bubble360° visibility
2 seatsSide-by-side
EfficientLow fuel burn

Why pilots choose the DA20

Unmatched visibility

The panoramic canopy makes traffic scanning, sightseeing, and landings a joy.

Responsive & fun

Light, sporty controls reward precise flying and build real stick-and-rudder skill.

Economical to operate

Efficient fuel burn keeps your cost per hour low without sacrificing capability.

Diamond DA20 Rental$169per hour
  • Hourly rental of our well-maintained Diamond DA20
  • Available for dual flight training with a certified flight instructor
  • Instructor time is billed separately — ask us to pair you with a CFI
  • Online scheduling with instant confirmation
  • Great for primary training, instrument practice, and time building
Want a checkout or instructor? Call (818) 514-2233 or book a free consultation and we'll get you scheduled with the right CFI.
4.9 ★★★★★
5.0 Google · 4.9 Yelp · 500+ five-star reviews
Verified · Van Nuys (VNY)
★★★★★
"One I'll never forget. Joseph was an awesome instructor, the Diamond was in great shape and fun to fly, and the views were unreal."
Arturo W.
Arturo Weiss
Google · Discovery Flight
★★★★★
"An outstanding place to learn to fly. My instructor was patient, knowledgeable, and always focused on safety while keeping it fun."
Richard R.
Richard Rojas
Google · Learn to Fly
★★★★★
"One of the best flight experiences I've ever done — beautiful views and even taking control of the plane. Incredible!"
Matt K.
Matt K.
Yelp · Hands-On Flight

Ready to fly the Diamond?

Talk to a real instructor today — no pressure, just answers. Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9am–9pm.

Cessna 162 Hourly Aircraft Rental

$169.00

PER HOUR

Cessna 162 Skycatcher — Hourly Aircraft Rental

Affordable, easy to fly, and a joy for your very first hours — the Cessna 162 Skycatcher is the perfect light-sport trainer. With a high wing for great visibility, a modern glass panel, and economical operating costs, it's the smartest way to build skills or knock out Sport Pilot training over the skies of Los Angeles.

4.9 on 500+ reviewsLight-sportMost economical rateGlass panel
LSALight-sport aircraft
High-wingGreat visibility
2 seatsSide-by-side
GlassModern avionics

Why rent the Skycatcher

Lowest cost to fly

Economical operating costs make it the budget-friendly choice for building hours.

Friendly & forgiving

Gentle handling and excellent visibility make it ideal for early training.

Sport Pilot ready

The perfect platform for our Sport Pilot License program and recreational flying.

Cessna 162 Skycatcher Rental$169per hour
  • Hourly rental of our well-maintained Cessna 162 light-sport aircraft
  • Available for dual flight training with a certified flight instructor
  • Instructor time is billed separately — ask us to pair you with a CFI
  • Online scheduling with instant confirmation
  • Ideal for Sport Pilot training and economical time building
New to flying? The Skycatcher is the perfect place to start. Call (818) 514-2233 or book a free consultation to get matched with a CFI.
4.9 ★★★★★
5.0 Google · 4.9 Yelp · 500+ five-star reviews
Verified · Van Nuys (VNY)
★★★★★
"A fabulous intro flying lesson! Our instructor explained everything in detail and let my sister take the controls. Truly a fabulous afternoon!"
Bonnie L.
Bonnie Landau
Google · Intro Lesson
★★★★★
"An outstanding place to learn to fly. My instructor was patient, knowledgeable, and always focused on safety while keeping it fun."
Richard R.
Richard Rojas
Google · Learn to Fly
★★★★★
"One of the best flight experiences I've ever done — beautiful views and even taking control of the plane. Incredible!"
Matt K.
Matt K.
Yelp · Hands-On Flight

Ready to fly the Skycatcher?

Talk to a real instructor today — no pressure, just answers. Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9am–9pm.

Piper Warrior Aircraft Hourly Rental

$169.00

PER HOUR

Piper Warrior II — Hourly Aircraft Rental

The Piper Warrior II is one of the most trusted training aircraft in general aviation — stable, forgiving, and endlessly capable. With its low-wing design and smooth manners, it's the ideal platform for student pilots mastering the fundamentals and for rated pilots who want a comfortable, dependable airplane for building time over Los Angeles.

4.9 on 500+ reviews160 HP LycomingForgiving & stableMeticulously maintained
160 HPLycoming engine
Low-wingStable platform
4 seatsRoomy cabin
Dual controlsTraining-ready

Why pilots love the Warrior

Proven reliability

A dependable 160 HP Lycoming and a record as one of aviation's most popular trainers.

Easy, forgiving handling

Gentle low-wing manners make it perfect for mastering the fundamentals of flight.

Comfortable cockpit

Spacious dual-control cabin for a relaxed, professional training environment.

Piper Warrior II Rental$169per hour
  • Hourly rental of our meticulously maintained Piper Warrior II
  • Available for dual flight training with a certified flight instructor
  • Instructor time is billed separately — ask us to pair you with a CFI
  • Online scheduling with instant confirmation
  • Ideal for primary training and time building
Need a checkout or an instructor? Call (818) 514-2233 or book a free consultation and we'll set you up with the right CFI and schedule.
4.9 ★★★★★
5.0 Google · 4.9 Yelp · 500+ five-star reviews
Verified · Van Nuys (VNY)
★★★★★
"An outstanding place to learn to fly. My instructor was patient, knowledgeable, and always focused on safety while keeping it fun."
Richard R.
Richard Rojas
Google · Learn to Fly
★★★★★
"One I'll never forget. Joseph was an awesome instructor, the airplane was in great shape and fun to fly, and the views were unreal."
Arturo W.
Arturo Weiss
Google · Discovery Flight
★★★★★
"One of the best flight experiences I've ever done — beautiful views and even taking control of the plane. Incredible!"
Matt K.
Matt K.
Yelp · Hands-On Flight

Ready to fly the Warrior?

Talk to a real instructor today — no pressure, just answers. Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9am–9pm.

Piper Arrow II Hourly Aircraft Rental

$199.00

PER HOUR

Piper Arrow II — Complex Aircraft Hourly Rental

The Piper Arrow II is the airplane that turns good pilots into professional ones. As a true complex aircraft — with retractable landing gear and a constant-speed propeller — it's the ideal platform for commercial training, complex endorsements, and building the high-value experience that airlines and operators expect.

4.9 on 500+ reviewsRetractable gearConstant-speed propCommercial-ready
ComplexGear + CS prop
200 HPStrong performer
4 seatsCross-country
RetractPro-level systems

Why train in the Arrow

Earn your complex endorsement

Retractable gear and a constant-speed prop make it the standard complex trainer.

Commercial certificate ready

The perfect aircraft for building the complex time your Commercial certificate requires.

Capable & comfortable

Strong performance and a roomy cabin make it a great cross-country machine, too.

Piper Arrow II Rental$199per hour
  • Hourly rental of our well-maintained Piper Arrow II (complex aircraft)
  • Available for dual flight training with a certified flight instructor
  • Instructor time is billed separately — ask us to pair you with a CFI
  • Ideal for complex endorsements and commercial training
  • Online scheduling with instant confirmation
Working on your Commercial or complex endorsement? Call (818) 514-2233 or book a free consultation to plan your training.
4.9 ★★★★★
5.0 Google · 4.9 Yelp · 500+ five-star reviews
Verified · Van Nuys (VNY)
★★★★★
"I enrolled in their Airline Career Program and already finished my PPL and Instrument Rating. Smooth, well-organized training built around airline standards."
Zahra B.
Zahra Bakhtiari
Google · Airline Program
★★★★★
"An outstanding place to learn to fly. My instructor was patient, knowledgeable, and always focused on safety while keeping it fun."
Richard R.
Richard Rojas
Google · Learn to Fly
★★★★★
"One I'll never forget. Joseph was an awesome instructor, the airplane was in great shape and fun to fly, and the views were unreal."
Arturo W.
Arturo Weiss
Google · Discovery Flight

Ready to fly the Arrow?

Talk to a real instructor today — no pressure, just answers. Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9am–9pm.

Piper Seminole Multi Engine Hourly Aircraft Rental

$439.00

PER HOUR

Piper Seminole — Multi-Engine Hourly Rental

The Piper Seminole is the industry-standard multi-engine trainer — a true twin with counter-rotating propellers, retractable gear, and the systems complexity that prepares you for advanced certificates and a professional flying career. It's the aircraft of choice for Multi-Engine Rating training and for building the twin time that operators value most.

4.9 on 500+ reviewsTrue twinCounter-rotating propsCareer time-builder
TwinMulti-engine
RetractComplex systems
4 seatsTraining cabin
ME timeHigh-value hours

Why train in the Seminole

The standard ME trainer

Counter-rotating props and benign handling make it ideal for learning multi-engine flying.

Engine-out proficiency

Master Vmc, single-engine procedures, and complex systems in a true twin.

Build the right hours

Multi-engine time is exactly what airlines and operators look for on your record.

Piper Seminole (Multi-Engine) Rental$439per hour
  • Hourly rental of our meticulously maintained Piper Seminole
  • Available for dual multi-engine training with a certified flight instructor
  • Instructor time is billed separately — ask us to pair you with a multi-engine CFI
  • Ideal for the Multi-Engine Rating and twin time building
  • Online scheduling with instant confirmation
Pursuing your Multi-Engine Rating? Ask about our Multi-Engine Program. Call (818) 514-2233 or book a free consultation to get started.
4.9 ★★★★★
5.0 Google · 4.9 Yelp · 500+ five-star reviews
Verified · Van Nuys (VNY)
★★★★★
"I enrolled in their Airline Career Program and already finished my PPL and Instrument Rating. Smooth, well-organized training built around airline standards."
Zahra B.
Zahra Bakhtiari
Google · Airline Program
★★★★★
"An outstanding place to learn to fly. My instructor was patient, knowledgeable, and always focused on safety while keeping it fun."
Richard R.
Richard Rojas
Google · Learn to Fly
★★★★★
"One of the best flight experiences I've ever done — beautiful views and even taking control of the plane. Incredible!"
Matt K.
Matt K.
Yelp · Hands-On Flight

Ready to fly the Seminole?

Talk to a real instructor today — no pressure, just answers. Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9am–9pm.

Cirrus SR 22 Turbo Hourly Aircraft Rental

$439.00

PER HOUR

Cirrus SR22 Turbo — Hourly Aircraft Rental

The Cirrus SR22 Turbo is the airplane everyone wants to fly — fast, powerful, and packed with the most advanced technology in general aviation. With a glass flight deck, turbocharged performance, and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), it delivers a true high-performance experience and the ideal platform for advanced training and cross-country flying over Southern California.

4.9 on 500+ reviewsTurbochargedWhole-airframe parachuteGlass flight deck
TurboHigh-altitude power
CAPSAirframe parachute
GlassAdvanced avionics
4 seatsCross-country ready

Why fly the SR22 Turbo

High-performance experience

Turbocharged speed and capability that make every flight feel effortless and exciting.

Industry-leading safety tech

The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) adds a unique layer of reassurance.

Advanced glass cockpit

Train on the same class of avionics found in modern high-performance and airline aircraft.

Cirrus SR22 Turbo Rental$439per hour
  • Hourly rental of our meticulously maintained Cirrus SR22 Turbo
  • Available for dual flight training and transition with a certified flight instructor
  • Instructor time is billed separately — ask us to pair you with a CFI
  • High-performance and complex/transition training available
  • Online scheduling with instant confirmation
Want a Cirrus checkout or transition? Call (818) 514-2233 or book a free consultation and we'll match you with an experienced Cirrus instructor.
4.9 ★★★★★
5.0 Google · 4.9 Yelp · 500+ five-star reviews
Verified · Van Nuys (VNY)
★★★★★
"Did a sunset flight in the Cirrus — easy to book, super fun to fly, and some of the coolest views I've ever seen. 10/10 would fly again!"
Ethan P.
Ethan Pilon
Google · Sunset Cirrus
★★★★★
"Our instructor Alex made sure my kids felt comfortable and had the most fun — the Cirrus airplane was amazing."
Sanaz D.
Sanaz Diba
Google · Luxury Flight
★★★★★
"Unforgettable private flight with Essence — smooth journey and a magical moment in the skies! Highly recommend."
Albert M.
Albert Manukyan
Google · Private Flight

Ready to fly the Cirrus SR22 Turbo?

Talk to a real instructor today — no pressure, just answers. Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9am–9pm.

COURSES WE OFFER AT ESSENCE FLIGHT ACADEMY

Standard Private Pilot Program at Van Nuys Airport

FLIGHT TIME: 40 HOURS

FLIGHT SIMULATOR TIME: 2 HOURS

GROUND SCHOOL: 5 HOURS

$10,900.00
$10,900.00

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Product not found

Comprehensive Private Pilot Program at Van Nuys Airport

FLIGHT TIME: 60 HOURS

FLIGHT SIMULATOR TIME: 10 HOURS

GROUND SCHOOL: 40 HOURS

$15,900.00
$22,800.00

Learn More

Multi-Engine Program for Private or Commercial Add-on

FLIGHT TIME: 12 HOURS

FLIGHT SIMULATOR TIME: 5 HOURS

GROUND SCHOOL: 5 HOURS

$5,100.00
$9,900.00

Learn More

Instrument Rating Course Van Nuys Airport Essence Flight

FLIGHT TIME: 30 HOURS

FLIGHT SIMULATOR TIME: 20 HOURS

GROUND SCHOOL: 30 HOURS

$11,700.00
$16,000.00

Learn More

Commercial Airline Pilot Training at Van Nuys Airport

FLIGHT TIME: 225 HOURS

FLIGHT SIMULATOR TIME: 50 HOURS

GROUND SCHOOL: 190 HOURS

$89,000.00
$95,000.00

Learn More

Your Aviation Journey Starts Here 

Let’s Get You in the Sky

there’s a reason so many future pilots choose essence flight academy. whether your goal is to fly for fun, build a professional career in aviation, or simply explore what flight training is all about—we’re here to help you take that first exciting step with clarity and confidence.

 

our expert instructors, cutting-edge redbird mcx full motion simulator, and structured training programs make the path to becoming a pilot smoother, more affordable, and more rewarding than ever before.

REQUEST A CALL BACK

Call us now to speak directly with a flight advisor and get your questions answered

IN-PERSON CONSULTATION

Book a free in-person consultation at our Van Nuys location—come meet the team, tour the aircraft, and get a feel for your future cockpit.

ENROLLMENT FORM

Fill out our quick enrollment form to reserve your spot and begin training right away.

Program Selector

Not sure where to begin? Take our short quiz to find the right flight training program for your goals, schedule, and budget.