Santa Monica Aviation

I took my boyfriend for a tour on his birthday and pilot Jeremy taught him how to fly the plane! We had a great time flying over Marina del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica, Malibu and Century City. Gorgeous day, gorgeous views! I highly recommend SM Aviation and look forward to my next flight with Jeremy.

Ecstatic!!! I got my boyfriend a birthday present — «LA tour». He was born and raised in LA but I knew that he’d like this one in a life time experience.
We had our flight during the rush hour so it was fun watching I-​5 and other major highways packed with cars. :)

This place rules. Went on a 45 minute tour of the city and had a blast. Kevin was a great tour guide and flies like a champ. Would recommend to anyone

Santa Monica Aviation offers so many services that you won’t need to go anywhere else! The owner and main pilot, Ali, is very experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy. He can always strike up a good conversation and loves flying! His wife Lucy runs the business behind the scenes! She is also very knowledgeable, friendly and kind. Together they make a great team and will always make you feel welcomed. They have a very clean and organized office with a very comfortable waiting area. They offer flight instruction for all ages, aircraft maintenance, exam testing, and aerial tours. They’ve made a great establishment at the Santa Monica Airport!

I have been flying with Ali for 30+ years, he is extremely knowledgeable, respectful, and kind. Ali was and still is my mentor since the age of fifteen, quite frankly I don’t know where I would be today without his guidance. He was like a father to me inside and outside of the cockpit. So It is funny to hear a bad review or 2 about him, at 46 years of age Ali still corrects my minute overlooking. If you want to earn your wings this facility would be the place to do it.
(ALL KNOWLEDGE, NO TIME WASTED= SAVED MONEY).
I stand behind my review.
BTW: John S, I am a 46 year old Male and Ali still calls me «DEAR» (that’s not flirting and if you are a pilot? why didn’t rent a plane from Santa Monica Aviation and fly your girlfriend as pilot in command?)

We used a living social deal to go on a scenic flight of the Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Malibu areas with Santa Monica Aviation. We recently moved to the area from out-​of-​state and thought this would be a great way to explore our new area. We absolutely loved our flight with pilot Ali. He was very kind, informative and knowledgeable not only of the area but about aviation and flight. The info he gave us during the flight was interesting. This flight was a birthday present to my husband who loves flying and he thought it was the best birthday present he’s ever had. My husband got to sit up front with Ali and perform some of the pre-​flight checks and also did some of the flying! After our flight Ali lead us to an airport restaurant where we were able to continue to watch planes taking off and landing. I recommend a scenic flight with Ali to locals and tourists, it’s a great way to see the beauty of the SoCal area.

My family and I went to Santa Monica Aviation after purchasing a deal on Living Social. I have to say it was definitely worth every cent. I emailed the owner Ali ahead and explained to him my plan and he accommodated myself, my husband and 2 children every step of the way. It was a birthday surprise for my husband so we blind folded him. Ali went along with the plan, and helped me give my husband a great birthday surprise. He taught my husband simple maneuvers and how to land the plane. He was so welcoming and nice. He even walked us over to the restaurant next door after our flight so our family can enjoy a nice Thai dinner. I would recommend him to everyone and will definitely be coming back! It was so much fun. Thank You for the great experience!!!

I got my wings at Santa Monica Aviation over 10 years ago and immediately went on to complete my IFR training and shortly after obtained my Instrument Rating. I found Certificated Flight Instructor (Ali) to be knowledgeable, patient and very compassionate towards his students and thoroughly enjoyed every lesson. I find it interesting that the only person with a negative review posted here is one that admittedly does not know Ali, has not taken a single lesson with him, yet feels qualified to render an opinion on Ali and his business and whether someone else should go here for flight training. Frankly, when you’ve been flying safely for 30+ years, have trained hundreds of students and enabled them to get their license within 40 hours of training over these years, you have every right to be confident in your skills and share that with a prospective student. It is called competence and confidence both of which are qualities a good pilot and instructor must possess. Flying an aircraft is a serious endeavor and I trust my life with the confident instructor that Ali is and not some 20 year old trying to build his hours to get an airline job someday. I would recommend training with Ali at Santa Monica Aviation without any hesitation.

I went to Santa Monica Aviation about a year ago to finish some training and for aircraft rental. The aircraft and staff there are by far some of the best in the GA business. Ali is a great flight instructor, and definitely takes pride in making sure his students /​clients succeed in becoming safe pilots.

I have had a few flight instructors through out learning how to fly. Santa Monica was where I started out, the flight instructor Ali is very professional and very nice. Ali knows everything and started out learning when he was in his 20’s. He is excellent in what he does. Besides, Santa Monica Airport is right by the ocean, flying along the coast line is the best experience you can get out there!!! I had previously learned under Ali for my Private license for about 6 months before I relocated here to phoenix area to begin my professional flight training at an Aviation Academy. I will come back and fly the Cessna whenever I get a chance to visit LA. Go with Santa Monica Aviation, you won’t be disappointed!

I took lessons with Ali about five years ago now, best college graduation present ever!!! What an awesome guy! got me soloing in 8hrs and passed my check ride, written and oral in the first try. His facility is amazing and him and his wife Lucy are always nice to me and have even taken me out to lunch after several of my lessons. Ask him to show you all the cool places to fly in LA! I strongly recommend Ali’s facility and I always use him when I need to rent a plane.

We needed a last minute photo hop and dropped in unannounced. Ari, the pilot for this trip, was immediately up for the task and 20 minutes later we were lifting off. Despite high winds (Santa Anna time) pouring over the mountains and the resulting turbulence, Ari kept the altimeter glued on 2000 ft needed for the camera as well as offering some great shooting tips. An hour later, the job done, we touched down as smooth as you please and I was on my way. If you need anything in the way of General Aviation, this is the place.