CP Aviation
CP Aviation is a family-owned flight school at Santa Paula Airport (KSZP), California, training individual pilots from Private Pilot through CFI certifications and specializing in tailwheel and Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) with aerobatics since 1987.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersSanta Paula, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CP Aviation does
CP Aviation is a family-owned flight school and Part 61 Fixed Base Operator established in 1987 by Clay Phelps at Santa Paula Airport (KSZP), California. The company provides pilot training across the full certification ladder — Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) — together with two specialty programs that anchor its brand identity: tailwheel transition training and Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) / upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) with basic aerobatics. Operations are anchored by a 19-aircraft fleet spanning Cessna 162 Skycatcher through Cessna 182RG and aerobatic airframes including the 7ECA Citabria and Pitts S-2B, supported by an on-site maintenance shop specializing in Cessna, Citabria, and Decathlon models. The school logs approximately 6,000 flight hours annually with a staff of ~25 employees.
The business generates revenue through four streams: per-hour flight instruction and aircraft rental, one-time discovery flights ($125) and aerobatic rides ($199), gift certificates sold through an online storefront, and aircraft maintenance services. Customer acquisition is direct-to-consumer, driven by word-of-mouth, the school's reputation in general-aviation circles, and content marketing via a 197-post blog documenting student milestones. The company serves individual pilots pursuing initial certificates, ratings, CFI development, and safety-focused training (spin recovery, unusual attitude handling). Two marquee instructors — Judy Phelps (2011 National CFI of the Year) and Rich Stowell (2006 National Flight Instructor of the Year, developer of the EMT/Acro curriculum) — are the primary brand assets. The company is registered as CP Aviation, Inc. in California, has no parent, subsidiaries, or external investors, and operates as a single-site business with no geographic expansion.
CP Aviation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CP Aviation
- Legal name
- CP Aviation, Inc.
- Website
- https://cpaviation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- CP Aviation is a family-owned flight school at Santa Paula Airport (KSZP), California, training individual pilots from Private Pilot through CFI certifications and specializing in tailwheel and Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) with aerobatics since 1987.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CP Aviation industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where CP Aviation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Paula
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CP Aviation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Flight Training Services: Revenue from providing flight instruction for various pilot certificates and ratings including Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, tailwheel endorsements, and EMT courses
- Aircraft Rentals: Aircraft rental services for students and pilots, with fleet including Cessna 162 Skycatcher to Cessna 182RG and aerobatic aircraft
- Discovery Flights and Aerobatic Rides: Introductory flights and aerobatic experiences sold to customers, with gift certificates available in various denominations
- Aircraft Maintenance: Maintenance services for Cessna, Citabrias and Decathlons aircraft
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Introductory Discovery Flight |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Aerobatic Flight Experience |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Flight Training Gift Certificates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
CP Aviation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CP Aviation is a family-owned Part 61 flight school and Fixed Base Operator at Santa Paula Airport (KSZP), California, delivering pilot certification training (Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, CFI), tailwheel transition training, and Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) with basic aerobatics. The company also maintains and rents a fleet of Cessna, Citabria, Decathlon, and Pitts aircraft and offers introductory discovery flights, aerobatic rides, and gift certificates.
Product overview
CP Aviation operates as a full-service flight school and Part 61 Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Santa Paula Airport, California, offering a comprehensive suite of aviation training and services since 1987. The core product portfolio centers on flight training programs spanning from introductory discovery flights through advanced certifications (Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, CFI), supplemented by specialized training in tailwheel aircraft and Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) with aerobatics. The company also provides aircraft maintenance services specializing in Cessna, Citabrias, and Decathlon aircraft, and operates an online shop for gift certificates and flight experiences. A notable educational initiative is the annual Vicki Cruse Memorial Scholarship for EMT training. The fleet includes aircraft ranging from Cessna 162 Skycatcher to Cessna 182RG, and specialized aerobatic aircraft including the 7ECA Citabria and Pitts S-2B.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use CP Aviation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
CP Aviation technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
CP Aviation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- International Aerobatic Club (IAC)corePartnership with IAC to administer the Vicki Cruse Emergency Maneuver Training Scholarship, awarded annually since 2005 to IAC members pursuing spin, unusual attitude and basic aerobatic training
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CP Aviation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stallion 51 Corporation: Specialty flight training operator offering Mustang/P-51 warbird and high-performance training in Florida. Comparable to CP Aviation as a niche, instructor-led training operation built around specialized aircraft and personalized instruction rather than scaled airline-track training.
- Patty Wagstaff Aerobatics: Aerobatic training and airshow pilot school offering upset recovery and competition-level aerobatic instruction. Directly comparable to CP Aviation's EMT/aerobatic program in customer profile (safety-focused and aerobatic pilots), curriculum (spin/unusual attitude/UPRT), and pricing structure.
- ATP Flight School: Largest US flight training chain offering Private through ATP/Type Rating programs across multiple locations. Comparable as a direct competitor for aspiring pilot students pursuing Private/Instrument/Commercial certifications, though CP Aviation differentiates through aerobatic specialization.
- American Flyers: Multi-location US flight training chain offering Private through ATP and instrument training. Directly comparable as a competitor for primary pilot certification students in the general aviation segment.
- Comair Aviation: Flight academy offering pilot certification and instructor training programs. Comparable in target student segment (aspiring career pilots) and certification offerings (Private through CFI).
Broad incumbents
- FlightSafety International: Berkshire Hathaway-owned pilot training company with a global network of learning centers. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering pilot certification and recurrent training at scale, though it focuses on airline/crew training rather than primary flight school instruction.
- CAE: Global civil aviation training provider operating50+ training centers worldwide. Comparable as a broad incumbent in pilot training with simulator-heavy delivery, contrasting with CP Aviation's instructor-led in-aircraft specialty model.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Largest US aviation-focused university offering accredited degree and flight training programs. Comparable as an incumbent in pilot certification at scale, contrasting with CP Aviation's specialty instructor-led approach.
Others
- Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE): Professional membership organization for flight instructors, with Rich Stowell (CP Aviation's curriculum developer) as a Charter Member. Comparable as an ecosystem participant in flight training standards, instructor development, and UPRT advocacy.
- International Aerobatic Club (IAC): FAA-sanctioned aerobatic governing body and CP Aviation's partner on the Vicki Cruse EMT Scholarship. Comparable as the customer/feeder ecosystem connecting aerobatic-interested pilots to specialty training programs like CP Aviation's EMT/aerobatic curriculum.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CP Aviation social profiles
Digital presenceCP Aviation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CP Aviation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CP Aviation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CP Aviation 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 CP Aviation
What does CP Aviation do?
CP Aviation is a family-owned Part 61 flight school and Fixed Base Operator at Santa Paula Airport (KSZP), California, delivering pilot certification training (Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, CFI), tailwheel transition training, and Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) with basic aerobatics. The company also maintains and rents a fleet of Cessna, Citabria, Decathlon, and Pitts aircraft and offers introductory discovery flights, aerobatic rides, and gift certificates.
Is CP Aviation a public or private company?
CP Aviation is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was CP Aviation founded?
CP Aviation was founded in 1987.
Where is CP Aviation based?
CP Aviation is headquartered in Santa Paula, United States, in the North America region.
How does CP Aviation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Flight Training Services are the primary driver. The others are aircraft Rentals, discovery Flights and Aerobatic Rides and aircraft Maintenance.
Who are CP Aviation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stallion 51 Corporation, Patty Wagstaff Aerobatics, ATP Flight School, American Flyers and Comair Aviation. Broad incumbents are FlightSafety International, CAE and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Others are Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) and International Aerobatic Club (IAC).
Does CP Aviation have an API?
No public API is recorded for CP Aviation.
What industry is CP Aviation in?
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 4522.