The Cirrus Aircraft is the world’s best-selling General Aviation (GA) aircraft, leading the industry since 2003 and outselling all other GA manufacturers combined. Crafted from advanced composite materials, it features a state-of-the-art avionics platform, earning its designation as a Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA). A standout safety feature is the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) which can be deployed in emergencies as a whole-aircraft parachute to gently lower the plane to the ground, enhancing safety for both pilots and passengers.

Palomar Aviation uses the Cirrus Private Pilot Program (PPP), a comprehensive syllabus designed to develop safe, confident, and proficient Cirrus pilots. Tailored specifically for Cirrus Aircraft, the PPP includes 40 lessons, 245 instructional videos, and 61 quizzes focused on mastering aircraft systems, avionics, and flight techniques. Purchased directly from Cirrus, this program allows our instructors to track your progress, ensuring you’re well-prepared to pass your checkride and earn your Private Pilot License (PPL) and transition into a safe and confident Pilot in Command (PIC).

Training in a Cirrus Aircraft offers distinct advantages. Its advanced avionics provide superior situational awareness and access to real-time flight information, greatly surpassing legacy training aircraft. And the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) adds an extra layer of safety by enabling safe recovery in emergencies. Additionally, Palomar Aviation’s exclusive Cirrus Aircraft fleet prepares students to confidently transition to renting or owning a Cirrus, ensuring they’re proficient and comfortable as a Pilot in Command (PIC) on the same platform they’ll fly post-training.

A Discovery Flight is an exciting introductory experience offered by Palomar Aviation for those curious about flying. Under the guidance of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), you’ll take the controls of a Cirrus Aircraft and experience the thrill of flight firsthand. This 2-hour session includes approximately 1 hour of ground instruction covering preflight procedures, checklists, radio communication, and postflight debriefing, followed by 1 hour in the air soaring over scenic San Diego. And after your Discovery Flight, you can log the flight time in your logbook as your first hour toward earning your Private Pilot License (PPL)!

In the United States, you must be at least 16 to fly solo and 17 to earn a Private Pilot License (PPL). However, there’s no minimum age to begin flight training under the supervision of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). At Palomar Aviation, we’ve guided many young aviators in pursuing their passion for flight, starting them early and preparing them to solo at 16 and obtain their PPL at 17.

Palomar Aviation is based at McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ) in Carlsbad, on the southwest corner of the airfield in northern San Diego. Ideally situated north of San Diego’s Class B airspace, south of Camp Pendleton’s military airspace, and away from the busy John Wayne Airport, KCRQ offers a perfect training environment. The airport’s control tower helps students master radio communications in controlled airspace, while nearby uncontrolled airports provide diverse training opportunities. Our Cirrus fleet is housed in a 10,000-square-foot hangar behind Carlsbad Jet Center, ensuring our aircraft are meticulously maintained and ready to fly 24/7.