Corsair Aviation

What Corsair Aviation does

Corsair Aviation is a privately held, full-service aviation operator headquartered at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2012 as the sole Cessna Pilot Center at that field. The company provides FAA-approved Part 141 and Part 61 flight training across private pilot, instrument, commercial, and flight instructor certifications, supported by a fleet of Cessna 162 Skycatcher, Cessna 172S Skyhawk, Cessna T206H Stationair, and Aero Commander 500S Shrike aircraft equipped with Garmin Glass Panel Avionics. Training is supplemented by an FAA-approved Redbird TD Basic Aviation Training Device that allows flight time to be logged toward certification requirements. Beyond flight training, the company operates on-demand Part 135 air charter and air taxi services available 24/7, scenic air tours over the Los Angeles basin and Malibu, and seasonal event charters such as Coachella and Stagecoach.

Corsair Aviation also runs a Special Missions Division that deploys gyro-stabilized EO/IR multi-sensor systems, FM and satellite communications, recording and mapping, and video downlink on manned and sUAS platforms for aerial film and photography, aerial imaging and mapping, and ISR, surveillance, search and rescue, and public safety missions for government and commercial clients. Aircraft management services round out the offering. The company is a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), holds multiple FAA operating certificates (Part 141, Part 135, BATD), and is independently owned as Corsair Aviation LLC with no disclosed institutional backing.

The business model combines transactional flight training and aircraft rental (per-hour/block-time billing), on-demand charter (transaction fees with online quote requests), and project-based aerial services for media and government clients. Customer acquisition runs primarily through direct-to-consumer channels — the company website, phone inquiries, walk-ins at the Park VNY facility, Yelp reviews, and organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X), supplemented by brand reinforcement from the Cessna Pilot Center network. With 1-10 employees and a single-location operating footprint in Southern California, the company functions as a small, multi-vertical general aviation services business rather than a scaled training or charter franchise.

Name

Corsair Aviation

Legal name

Corsair Aviation LLC

Website

https://corsairaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Corsair Aviation is a Van Nuys Airport-based flight school and aviation services operator serving the Los Angeles area with FAA-approved Part 141/61 pilot training, Part 135 charter, aerial film and photography, and a Special Missions ISR division.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training & Aviation Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ), Aircraft Management & Part 135/135-equivalent Operators (THABAFAD), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)

Keywords

• Flight training services
• Aircraft rental
• Air charter services
• Aerial photography services
• Special missions aviation

Headquarters

HQ city

Van Nuys

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Flight Training Services: FAA-approved Part 141 and Part 61 flight training programs including private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and flight instructor courses. Revenue generated through course fees and flight time charges.
2. Aircraft Rental: Rental of Cessna aircraft to licensed pilots and students for personal or training purposes. Fees charged per flight hour or block time.
3. Air Charter Services: On-demand private air travel and air taxi services available 24/7, 365 days a year. Revenue from charter flights to various destinations.
4. Aerial Services: Aerial film & photography, aerial imaging, mapping & data services, and specialized mission support for government, commercial, and media clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Corsair Aviation is an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school and authorized Cessna Pilot Center based at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, providing pilot training (Part 141 and Part 61), aircraft rental, private air tours, on-demand air charter and air taxi services, aerial film and photography, aerial imaging/mapping, aircraft management, and special missions operations (ISR, surveillance, search and rescue). The company operates a modern fleet of Cessna aircraft equipped with Garmin Glass Cockpit avionics and an FAA-approved Redbird TD simulator, with charter services available 24/7/365.

Product overview

Corsair Aviation operates as a full-service aviation company offering integrated flight training, aircraft rental, charter services, and specialized aerial operations. As an authorized Cessna Pilot Center at Van Nuys Airport, the company provides FAA-approved Part 141 and Part 61 flight training programs using a modern fleet of Cessna aircraft equipped with Garmin Glass Cockpit avionics, including the Cessna 162 Skycatcher, Cessna 172S Skyhawk, and Cessna T206H Stationair. Beyond flight training, the company operates an on-demand private air charter and air taxi service available 24/7, a Special Missions Division offering aerial photography, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and surveillance/reconnaissance services using gyro-stabilized multi-sensor systems on manned and unmanned platforms, plus aircraft management services. The operation maintains an FAA-approved Redbird TD flight simulator for enhanced training capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Special Missions Division: Specialized aviation solutions including airborne ISR, aerial imaging, photography and communications missions using light manned aircraft and sUAS equipped with the latest technologies.

Products and services

• Part 141 Flight Training Structured flight training under FAA Part 141 regulations with a standardized syllabus, approved by the FAA as a Part 141 Pilot School, including private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and flight instructor certifications.
• Part 61 Flight Training Flexible flight training under FAA Part 61 regulations for private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial pilot certifications tailored to individual student needs.
• Cessna 162 Discovery Flight Introductory flight experience in a Cessna 162 Skycatcher aircraft, allowing prospective students to experience flight training firsthand before committing to a full program.
• Cessna 172 Discovery Flight Introductory flight experience in a Cessna 172S Skyhawk aircraft equipped with Garmin glass cockpit avionics, offering prospective students a modern flight training introduction.
• Advanced Specialty Training Specialized advanced flight training including instrument ratings, commercial pilot training, flight instructor certification, and other advanced ratings for licensed pilots.
• Aircraft Rental Rental of Cessna aircraft to licensed pilots and students for personal or training purposes, charged per flight hour or block time, using the school's modern Garmin-equipped fleet.
• Air Tours Private scenic air tours over the Los Angeles area, including Malibu and Downtown LA, offered for leisure and tourism purposes.
• On-Demand Air Charter & Air Taxi Service Private on-demand air travel and air taxi service available 24/7, 365 days a year, providing flexible-schedule charter flights for individuals and groups to various destinations.
• Coachella Charter Specialty charter service to the Coachella music festival, providing private air transportation for festival attendees.
• Stagecoach Charter Specialty charter service to the Stagecoach music festival, providing private air transportation for festival attendees.
• Aerial Film & Photography Professional aerial imaging and photography services for film production, real estate, and commercial clients, using gyro-stabilized multi-sensor systems mounted on manned aircraft and sUAS platforms.
• Aerial Imaging, Mapping & Data Aerial data collection services for mapping, surveying, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring using advanced sensor technologies on manned and unmanned platforms.
• Aircraft Management Management services for aircraft owners handling maintenance, scheduling, and operational requirements of their private aircraft.
• Special Missions Operations Specialized aviation solutions including airborne ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), search and rescue, public safety operations, and disaster relief using light manned aircraft and sUAS platforms with EO/IR sensors and satellite communications, supported by fully trained crews.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cessna (Textron Aviation)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorsair Aviation is the sole Cessna Pilot Center at Van Nuys Airport, partnering with Cessna to provide flight training using Cessna aircraft and curriculum. This affiliation provides access to Cessna's training systems, support materials, and brand recognition in the flight training market.
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorsair Aviation is a member of NBAA, the leading organization for business aviation. NBAA membership provides access to resources, networking, and credibility within the business aviation community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Helinet Aviation Services: Los Angeles-based helicopter operator specializing in aerial cinematography, electronic news gathering, and ISR/public safety missions. Closest regional peer to Corsair's Special Missions and aerial film/photo business lines.
• Surf Air Mobility: LA-based private aviation company operating an on-demand and membership-based air charter service in Southern California. Comparable to Corsair's charter business given overlapping service geography and customer profile.

Direct peers

• American Flyers: Multi-location aviation services company offering Part 141 flight training, aircraft rental, charter, and pilot supplies. Closely comparable to Corsair's integrated training-plus-charter-plus-rental service model.
• Epic Flight Academy: Multi-location Part 141 flight school providing private through commercial pilot training with a similar diversified offering including charter and aerial services. Closest comparable in business model to Corsair's flight training core.
• Phoenix East Aviation: Part 141 flight school offering pilot training with an integrated charter and aircraft rental operation. Comparable to Corsair as a multi-service aviation training and charter operator.
• Aerial MOB LLC: Specialized aerial cinematography and photography operator providing gyro-stabilized camera platforms for film, television, and commercial production. Directly comparable to Corsair's aerial film & photo service line.
• Sierra Academy of Aeronautics: Part 141 flight school offering pilot training programs including private, instrument, commercial, and instructor certifications. Closely comparable to Corsair's Part 141 pilot school offering at similar scale.

Emerging players

• Skyryse: Southern California-based aviation technology company developing autonomous flight systems and operating aircraft out of Van Nuys and other regional airports. Tangentially comparable as a tech-enabled LA aviation operator, though focused on autonomy rather than training.

Broad incumbents

• ATP Flight School: Largest flight training chain in the US, offering Part 141 airline pilot training programs across dozens of locations. Comparable to Corsair as a Part 141 flight school training aspiring commercial pilots, but operating at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
• FlightSafety International: Global leader in professional aviation training with FAA-approved programs, full-motion simulators, and a broad training catalog across multiple aircraft types. Comparable to Corsair as a regulated professional pilot training provider, but at vastly greater scale and corporate focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/corsairaviation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLT9NM4-eMi69lPSv1kqpMw
• Facebookfacebook.com/corsairaviation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dorsair-management-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/corsair_aviation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Corsair Aviation