California Aeronautical University

Name

California Aeronautical University

Legal name

California Aeronautical University

Website

https://calaero.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Higher Education and Flight Training

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Aviation degree programs
• Flight training
• Pilot certification
• Aircraft maintenance training
• Aviation university

Headquarters

HQ city

Bakersfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Degree Programs: CAU generates revenue through tuition for aviation degree programs including Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, Associate of Science Aviation Studies, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Bachelor of Science Aviation Management, and Master of Aviation Science. Students pay tuition for classroom instruction and flight training components.
2. Flight Training Fees: Flight training is a core revenue stream, with costs varying based on aircraft type, flight hours, and training programs. The university operates its own fleet and flight facilities.
3. Financial Aid and Tuition Reduction: The university offers the Reaching New Heights Tuition Reduction Program providing $10,000 in tuition reduction to eligible students, and accepts federal financial aid, veteran's benefits, and other tuition assistance programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

California Aeronautical University is an FAA Part 141 Flight School and aviation university that delivers integrated aviation degree programs and flight training certifications to individual students. Offerings span Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, Bachelor of Science Aviation Management, Associate of Science Aviation Studies, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Master of Aviation Science, and pilot certificates/ratings (Private, Commercial, ATP, Instrument, Multi-Engine, CFI, CFII). Instruction is delivered through on-airport campuses in California and Arizona, online coursework via CAU Online, and a Reach Flight Center partner network.

Product overview

California Aeronautical University (CAU) is an FAA Part 141 Flight School offering aviation degree programs and flight training. The university provides a portfolio of degree programs including Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, Associate of Science Aviation Studies, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Bachelor of Science Aviation Management, and Master of Aviation Science. CAU also offers CAU Online for remote learning. The core flight training products include Part 141 structured training, pilot certifications (Private, Commercial, ATP, CFI, CFII), and ratings (Instrument, Multi-Engine). The university operates physical campuses in Bakersfield (main campus), San Diego, Oxnard, and Phoenix, plus a Reach Flight Center network with partner locations in New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia enabling students to complete flight training locally while earning university degrees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Reach Flight Centers: A network of flight training centers affiliated with CAU, including partner facilities in Ohio (Lunken Flight Training Center), Virginia (Aviation Adventures), and New Jersey (Air Fleet Training Systems).

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics Four-year undergraduate degree program in aeronautics preparing students for airline pilot careers, combining academic coursework with flight training.
• Associate of Science Aviation Studies
• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Bachelor of Science Aviation Management
• Master of Aviation Science
• CAU Online
• Part 141 Flight Training
• Private Pilot Certificate
• Commercial Pilot Certificate
• Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) Certificate
• Instrument Rating
• Multi-Engine Rating
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)
• Reach Flight Center Network Network of partner flight training centers that provide local flight training paired with CAU online degree programs, including Air Fleet Training Systems (NJ), Lunken Flight Training Center (OH), and Aviation Adventures (VA).
• CAU Main Campus (Bakersfield)
• CAU San Diego
• CAU Ventura County (Oxnard)
• CAU Phoenix

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Lunken Flight Training CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Ohio-based flight training center partnering with CAU as the third Reach Flight Center since October 2025. Enables students to complete a three-year online degree program paired with flight training at Lunken Airport, with access to federal financial aid and R-ATP certificate qualification. First cohort began fall semester with two confirmed trainees.
• Gojet AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU has a partnership with GoJet Airlines operating regional flights under United Express and Delta Connection brands. The partnership provides career pathways for CAU graduates into commercial aviation careers.
• Horizon AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU has a partnership with Horizon Air, a regional airline owned by Alaska Airlines operating in the Pacific Northwest. The partnership includes pilot development programs providing clear pathways to Alaska Airlines careers.
• Mesa AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU maintains a partnership with Mesa Airlines operating under American Eagle and United Express brands, offering flow-through agreements with American and United airlines.
• Piedmont AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU has a formal partnership with Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. Piedmont offers direct pathways to American Airlines through flow-through agreements, emphasizing comprehensive pilot training and career development.
• PSA AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU partners with PSA Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines operating regional jets under the American Eagle network. The partnership offers pilot development programs with clear paths to American Airlines.
• SkyWest AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU has a partnership with SkyWest Airlines, the largest regional airline in North America. SkyWest flies under partnerships with United, Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines, offering industry-leading career advancement programs.
• United AirlinesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU maintains a flagship partnership with United Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world. The partnership includes cadet program pathways and career development opportunities for CAU graduates aspiring to major airline careers.
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU partners with AOPA, a major aviation organization supporting pilots and aviation enthusiasts with resources, advocacy, and educational programs.
• Vicky BenzingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVicky Benzing is an aviation partner/ambassador associated with CAU, representing the university in aviation community engagements.
• Air Fleet Training SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Jersey-based partner in CAU's Reach Flight Center network, enabling students in the Northeast to access flight training while pursuing CAU online degree programs.
• Aviation AdventurescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVirginia-based partner approved as CAU's newest Reach Flight Center, expanding access to university-level aviation education across Virginia. Announced March 2026.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety is a global pilot training provider (now part of CAE) offering advanced simulation and type ratings for professional pilots — a broader-scale incumbent in the same pilot-training value chain.
• CAE (Civil Aviation): CAE is a global aviation training services company offering pilot training, simulator manufacturing, and cadet programs — a broad incumbent operating in adjacent segments of the same market as CAU.
• United Aviate Academy: United Aviate Academy is United Airlines' owned flight school, providing direct cadet pathways to United. It competes directly with CAU for the same airline partnership enrollment funnel.

Direct peers

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle is the leading U.S. aeronautical university offering BS/MS aviation degrees with integrated flight training across multiple campuses — the closest scale-and-scope peer to CAU's degree-plus-flight model.
• ATP Flight School: ATP is the largest FAA Part 141 flight school in the U.S., offering airline-oriented pilot training with similar airline partnership pathways. It is the most directly comparable competitor to CAU's pilot training program.
• Hillsboro Aero Academy: Hillsboro Aero Academy is a Part 141 flight school in the Pacific Northwest offering integrated degree pathways and airline partnerships — comparable in size and program structure to CAU.
• Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Spartan is a private aeronautical college offering pilot, aircraft maintenance, and aviation management programs — directly comparable to CAU's diversified degree and AMT portfolio.
• LeTourneau University (School of Aviation): LeTourneau offers a BS in Aviation Science with integrated flight training and a Christ-centered university structure — comparable to CAU as a smaller, faith-affiliated aviation university.
• Purdue University (School of Aviation and Transportation Technology): Purdue's aviation program offers BS degrees in flight, aviation management, and aeronautical engineering with integrated Part 141 flight training — comparable as a university-based aviation education peer.
• Liberty University (School of Aeronautics): Liberty's School of Aeronautics offers FAA Part 141 flight training combined with online aviation degrees — comparable to CAU's hybrid online-plus-flight-center model and target student demographics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CalAeroUniv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CalAeroUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/CalAeroUniv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/california-aeronautical-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/calaerouniv
• TikToktiktok.com/@calaerouniv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 California Aeronautical University