3501 N Lakewood Blvd, Long Beach CA 90808

New Student Starter Guide

So you’ve scheduled your demo flight or maybe you’ve already joined the waitlist to get started?

What’s next?

🛫 New Student Starter Guide

 

How to Get Ready for Flight Training at Aces High Aviation

Before you jump into lessons, here are a few key steps to help you start off strong and make the most of your training.


1. 🗓️ Schedule a Free Intro Meeting with Sam

Before you begin flight training, we invite you to schedule a completely free 30–60 minute meeting with Sam, the owner of Aces High Aviation.

This is your chance to sit down one-on-one, get familiar with how we operate, and have all your questions answered — no pressure, no rush.

What we’ll cover in the meeting:

  • How Aces High operates and what makes us different and the genuinely reviewed highest rated school in Long Beach / local area.
  • What a typical lesson looks like from start to finish
  • Setting realistic expectations around cost, timeframes, and progress
  • What to expect as you move through each stage of training
  • What’s required from you to be successful
  • Info on written exams, FAA medicals, insurance, and more
  • A complete tour of the aircraft and training facility
  • Time to ask any and all questions — we’ll make sure you feel fully informed

Most students choose to do this meeting before booking a demo flight, but it’s not required.

Our goal is simple: to help you feel confident, comfortable, and excited about your training path — and to build a flight plan that works for you.

 

Schedule your meeting here → Click to Schedule → Select “Schedule a meeting” on the contact form

 


2. đź“‹ Join the Waitlist

(Please check for current wait times if any)

 

If you haven’t already, make sure you’ve added yourself to our waitlist:
👉 Join the Waitlist

  • No deposit required
  • No contracts or obligations
  • You can still call us anytime to schedule an orientation, which is required before beginning flight lessons

3. 👨‍⚕️ Get Your FAA Medical Certificate

To fly solo, you’ll need an FAA medical exam.

  • For most students, a Third Class Medical is all that’s required
  • If you plan to fly commercially in the future, we recommend getting a First Class Medical
  • Fill out the questionnaire carefully at https://medxpress.faa.gov/medxpress/
  • We recommend Dr. Hertzog: 2925 Palo Verde Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815 (562) 799-2020
  • Alternatively you can find a certified AME near you:
    đź”— flightphysical.com/search

✔️ Try to get this done early in your training — ideally before you’re too many lessons in.


4. 📚 Start Your Ground School Course

You don’t need to finish ground school before flying — but starting it early helps a ton.

We recommend:
King Schools Private Pilot Online Ground School & Test Prep
They provide us a wonderful discount: instead of $299 it’s $229 — call (858) 576-6239 and mention Aces High Aviation.

👉 King Schools Ground School

Other solid options:

✏️ You should be consistently scoring 85–90% on practice tests before taking the real FAA written exam.

Practice exams available here:
👉 Free FAA Written Practice


5. 📝 Schedule Your FAA Written Exam

Once you’re ready:

  • Take the FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) Written Exam – ~$175
  • You’ll need to create an account and have your FTN (FAA Tracking Number) ready
  • Find a test center here:
    👉 faa.psiexams.com

6. đź§° Get Your Materials

We carry everything you’ll need in our in-house pilot shop.

Start by picking up two essential books from us:

  • Airplane Flying Handbook
  • Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

Read both cover to cover. These aren’t just reference books — they lay the foundation for everything you’ll be learning in the air and on the ground.

7. 📖 Read the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)

Start getting familiar with the aircraft you’ll be flying:

  • Cessna 152 II
  • Cessna 172 NAV II
  • Cessna 172 G1000

You can find the correct POH under our resources page:
👉 aceshighaviation.com/resources

It’s wordy — but 100% worth reading!


8. 📡 Start Listening to Live Air Traffic Control

Learning the radios early makes everything easier.

  • Tune in to KLGB Tower at liveatc.net
  • You’ll start getting used to the phrasing and flow of real communications
  • Don’t understand a word? Google it!