San Carlos Flight Center
San Carlos Flight Center is a privately held SF Bay Area flight school and flying club at San Carlos Airport (KSQL) that delivers pilot training (Private through CFI), aircraft rental, ground schools, and community-driven adventure trips to aspiring pilots, licensed pilots, and youth.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Carlos, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What San Carlos Flight Center does
San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) is a privately held flight training organization and flying club operating from San Carlos Airport (KSQL) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 2012 by Dan Dyer on the motto "Safety, Community, Adventure," the company delivers a vertically integrated pilot training and aviation experience business serving aspiring student pilots (Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI ratings), licensed pilots seeking a club community, and youth/families via dedicated programs. Core operations encompass flight instruction, ground schools (private and instrument), in-house maintenance, and aircraft rental across a fleet that includes Cessna 172s, 182s, a 206, and a Piper Dakota.
The underlying technical stack is conventional general aviation rather than software-driven: the company's differentiating technology assets are two in-house flight simulators — the GTX G1000 (glass cockpit replication) and the Crosswind Landing Simulator (XW200) — plus an in-house maintenance and flight line team that keeps the fleet airworthy. Booking and scheduling are handled through a FlightSchedulePro integration, and the company maintains a content library of 500+ recorded safety seminars plus live-streamed events that double as member retention and top-of-funnel marketing.
SCFC's revenue model blends professional services (flight instruction and ground schools), usage-based rental (aircraft at $275/hr Hobbs, CFI at $900/day), recurring club membership subscriptions, and one-time demo flight purchases, with an emerging experiential revenue layer via the FlyOutGroup (FOG) multi-day adventure trips to destinations including the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, and the Southwest. Go-to-market is overwhelmingly event-driven and community-led — free safety seminars, monthly Full Moon Flyers dinners, Women in Aviation events, EAA Young Eagles, and the Upwind Foundation scholarship — supplemented by online scheduling and a YouTube content library. The company remains privately held with no external investors, no identified M&A activity, and a forthcoming facility relocation in April 2026 following the demolition of its current 795 Skyway Road building.
San Carlos Flight Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- San Carlos Flight Center
- Legal name
- San Carlos Flight Center
- Website
- https://sancarlosflight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- San Carlos Flight Center is a privately held SF Bay Area flight school and flying club at San Carlos Airport (KSQL) that delivers pilot training (Private through CFI), aircraft rental, ground schools, and community-driven adventure trips to aspiring pilots, licensed pilots, and youth.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
San Carlos Flight Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Flight Training Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where San Carlos Flight Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Carlos
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
San Carlos Flight Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Flight Training: Revenue from providing flight instruction for Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI certificates and ratings. Includes ground school courses.
- Aircraft Rental: Revenue from renting well-maintained aircraft to club members for personal flights and cross-country adventures
- Club Membership: Club membership fees for pilots to access aircraft fleet, facilities, and community events
- Demo Flights: Revenue from introductory demo flights for people interested in flight training or looking for a gift experience
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | 5-Day Colorado Mountain Flying 2026 trip cost |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | 4-Day Pacific Northwest & Canada trip estimated cost |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | 4-Day Monument Valley Southwest trip deposit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
San Carlos Flight Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
San Carlos Flight Center operates a flight training school and flying club based at San Carlos Airport (KSQL), providing structured pilot training from Private Pilot through Certified Flight Instructor ratings, ground school instruction, demo flights, and access to a maintained fleet of Cessna and Piper aircraft for rental. The business also hosts safety seminars, adventure fly-out trips, and community events for aspiring and licensed pilots.
Product overview
San Carlos Flight Center is a flight training organization and flying club offering a unified portfolio of aviation services centered on flight training, aircraft rental, and community events. The core offerings include structured flight training programs (Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI), Ground Schools, and Training Simulators (GTX G1000 and Crosswind Landing Simulator), complemented by aircraft rental from a well-maintained fleet. Special programs include the Young Aviators Summer Program for high school students and the Upwind Scholarship. The FlyOutGroup (FOG) organizes group adventures and monthly Full Moon Flyers events, while the Safety Seminar Program provides ongoing education. Services are available to members through club membership, with demo flights offered for those exploring aviation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Flight Training Programs Structured flight instruction covering Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificates and ratings, taught by dedicated instructors using a standardized syllabus with scenario-based training methods.
- Demo Flights
Quantifiable outcome
- Consistently recognized as AOPA Distinguished Flight School for multiple consecutive years (2021, 2023, 2024)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use San Carlos Flight Center
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
San Carlos Flight Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
San Carlos Flight Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Upwind FoundationcoreThe Upwind Foundation runs the Upwind Summer Scholarship Program for high school students. SCFC's Herb Patten serves as chairman of the Upwind Foundation. The partnership includes the Upwind Wine and Cheese Party and Silent Auction fundraising event. The 2026 Upwind Class celebrated at Full Moon Flyers and Upwind Dinner event.
- EAA Chapter 20coreSCFC hosts EAA Chapter 20's Young Eagles events, with volunteer pilots offering flights for young people aged 8-17. This partnership introduces youth to aviation and supports the general aviation community.
- FlyOutGroup (FOG)coreFOG is SCFC's adventure flying group that organizes multi-day trips to destinations like Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Monument Valley. SCFC coordinates these trips including aircraft rental, CFI accompaniment, and ground logistics. The group is open to pilots at all levels.
- Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites (Salt Lake City)minorPartner hotel for 5-Day Colorado Mountain Flying 2026 trip. Group rate code: SC0826. Address: 230 W 500 S, Salt Lake City, Utah. Phone: (855) 516-1090
- Glenwood Hot Springs HotelminorPartner hotel for 5-Day Colorado Mountain Flying 2026 trip. Located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Phone: (970) 945-6571
- Sky Rock Inn (Sedona)minorPartner hotel for 5-Day Colorado Mountain Flying 2026 trip in Sedona, Arizona
- Courtyard by Marriott Seattle Sea-Tac AreaminorSuggested hotel for Pacific Northwest & Canada 2026 trip (July 16-17 leg)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Riverport RichmondminorSuggested hotel for Pacific Northwest & Canada 2026 trip (July 17-18 leg)
- Aloft Portland AirportminorSuggested hotel for Pacific Northwest & Canada 2026 trip (July 19-20 leg)
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
San Carlos Flight Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International is a global aviation training provider operating full-motion simulators for airlines, corporate operators, and business jet crews. It competes indirectly with SCFC for advanced pilot training time share, though at a much higher-end professional segment.
- CAE: CAE is a global aviation training leader providing pilot training, simulator manufacturing, and crew resourcing for airlines and business aviation. Comparable at the broad training-industry level, but at enterprise scale well above SCFC.
Direct peers
- Epic Flight Academy: Epic Flight Academy is a multi-state Part 141 flight school focused on career-track pilot training, with international student pipelines. Comparable to SCFC on training offering and target student, but at significantly larger scale.
- Sporty's Academy: Sporty's Academy, run by the well-known Sporty's Pilot Shop in Batavia, Ohio, offers Part 141 flight training from Private through CFI with a strong curriculum and content ecosystem. Comparable to SCFC's standardized-syllabus and simulator-augmented approach.
- Hillsboro Aero Academy: Hillsboro Aero Academy (HIA) is a Pacific Northwest Part 141 flight school providing Private through CFI training with a strong international student pipeline. Comparable to SCFC on certificate offerings and training methodology.
- ATP Flight School: ATP is the largest US professional pilot training chain, offering Private through ATP certificates at multiple locations nationwide. SCFC competes for aspiring professional pilots in the Bay Area, though at a much smaller and more community-oriented scale.
- Pan Am International Flight Academy: Pan Am International Flight Academy provides ab initio through type-rating pilot training across multiple US sites. Comparable to SCFC on core pilot training, though with significantly broader geographic and capability footprint.
- West Valley Flying Club: West Valley Flying Club operates out of Palo Alto Airport (KPAO), offering flight training, aircraft rental, and a member-driven club model in the SF Bay Area. It is SCFC's closest geographic and business-model peer.
Others
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): AOPA is the largest GA pilot association in the US and the awarding body for SCFC's annual recognition. While not a direct competitor, AOPA sets training standards, publishes safety content, and runs its own training initiatives that influence SCFC's market.
Regional players
- Kings River Aviation: Kings River Aviation is a California flight school based at Reedley Municipal Airport offering Private, Instrument, and Commercial training in the Central Valley. Comparable operating model to SCFC but serving a different California region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
San Carlos Flight Center social profiles
Digital presenceSan Carlos Flight Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
San Carlos Flight Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
San Carlos Flight Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
San Carlos Flight Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about San Carlos Flight Center
What does San Carlos Flight Center do?
San Carlos Flight Center operates a flight training school and flying club based at San Carlos Airport (KSQL), providing structured pilot training from Private Pilot through Certified Flight Instructor ratings, ground school instruction, demo flights, and access to a maintained fleet of Cessna and Piper aircraft for rental. The business also hosts safety seminars, adventure fly-out trips, and community events for aspiring and licensed pilots.
Is San Carlos Flight Center a public or private company?
San Carlos Flight Center is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was San Carlos Flight Center founded?
San Carlos Flight Center was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is San Carlos Flight Center based?
San Carlos Flight Center is headquartered in San Carlos, United States, in the North America region.
How does San Carlos Flight Center make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Flight Training is the primary driver. The others are aircraft Rental, club Membership and demo Flights.
Who are San Carlos Flight Center's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are FlightSafety International and CAE. Direct peers are Epic Flight Academy, Sporty's Academy, Hillsboro Aero Academy, ATP Flight School, Pan Am International Flight Academy and West Valley Flying Club. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is listed as an others. Kings River Aviation is listed as a regional player.
Does San Carlos Flight Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for San Carlos Flight Center.
What industry is San Carlos Flight Center in?
San Carlos Flight Center's product category is Flight Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAFAJ, Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services, with a secondary code of EDABALAC, Aviation & Aerospace. Its NAICS code is 611512 and its SIC code is 7997.