Great staff, very helpful, mechanically sound aircraft. A great flight training facility with a flight simulator and qualified instructors.

Great staff, very helpful, mechanically sound aircraft. A great flight training facility with a flight simulator and qualified instructors.

Just passed my checkride last week! This place is great fun, and sometimes I just go in there to hang, chill, and chat with other pilots. In terms of instructors, I've had classes with many, many of them: Matt, Joel, Alex, Mikayla, Kevin, Steve, Danny, Haley, Andrew, Akila, Braylie, Connor, Meghan, Juliet, and Anna. All very resourceful and had many things to offer, each with their special skills off their sleeves, tip and tricks about becoming a pilot, career in aviation, and life in general. And the fun thing was that Tony at the front desk was actually the Uber driver who told me how I can become a pilot three years ago! Towards the end of my training for the private pilot, I was under a bit of a time pressure. This was when Joel showed up with his Navy and "deaf pilot association" stories and took me on training 2-3 times a week, sometimes right after my local solo flights or phase check lessons, so we can knock the requirements out. Super thankful for his high standards, getting me through my checkride like a breeze. As he likes to put it: "I'd like you to go out there with your passengers and had them saying 'wow I've never seen anything like that! Where did you learn it???'" And now you know. I hope I didn't make you look bad, Joel! The owner Shawn was also really caring and knowledgeable. The snacks were awesome (I just can't help, especially those well-cut watermelon and plums in the middle of a hot day after I got off from the plane. I swear I didn't just go regularly to above all to snatch those free food and drinks and get some free WiFi). She is very familiar with the regulations and rules to ensure that we are safe and complied with regulations, while accommodating maximally to our needs. I believe this to be important. You don't want to do some sketchy things and be an unsafe pilot! We'd love to be responsible for everything we signed off and only do the things that are within our limits, whether it be regulations or safety of operations. Finally, I'm gonna fight any one who dislikes 18S. What a fun one to mess with.

Just passed my checkride last week! This place is great fun, and sometimes I just go in there to hang, chill, and chat with other pilots. In terms of instructors, I've had classes with many, many of them: Matt, Joel, Alex, Mikayla, Kevin, Steve, Danny, Haley, Andrew, Akila, Braylie, Connor, Meghan, Juliet, and Anna. All very resourceful and had many things to offer, each with their special skills off their sleeves, tip and tricks about becoming a pilot, career in aviation, and life in general. And the fun thing was that Tony at the front desk was actually the Uber driver who told me how I can become a pilot three years ago! Towards the end of my training for the private pilot, I was under a bit of a time pressure. This was when Joel showed up with his Navy and "deaf pilot association" stories and took me on training 2-3 times a week, sometimes right after my local solo flights or phase check lessons, so we can knock the requirements out. Super thankful for his high standards, getting me through my checkride like a breeze. As he likes to put it: "I'd like you to go out there with your passengers and had them saying 'wow I've never seen anything like that! Where did you learn it???'" And now you know. I hope I didn't make you look bad, Joel! The owner Shawn was also really caring and knowledgeable. The snacks were awesome (I just can't help, especially those well-cut watermelon and plums in the middle of a hot day after I got off from the plane. I swear I didn't just go regularly to above all to snatch those free food and drinks and get some free WiFi). She is very familiar with the regulations and rules to ensure that we are safe and complied with regulations, while accommodating maximally to our needs. I believe this to be important. You don't want to do some sketchy things and be an unsafe pilot! We'd love to be responsible for everything we signed off and only do the things that are within our limits, whether it be regulations or safety of operations. Finally, I'm gonna fight any one who dislikes 18S. What a fun one to mess with.

When you hang around SBA long enough, you start to realize the owner Shawn, is the single most hated person at the airport. She weaponizes the FSDO against everyone else at the airport. She constantly makes life miserable for the rest of the community. I've never heard anyone at the airport speak well of either Shawn or her flight school. Anytime airport admin or the FSDO have to address one of her "anonymous complaints," they always laugh about it. Horrible business owner, shady business practices. I heard a story the other day from one of Above All's students. They flew a plane that had a tire blow out on them upon landing back at SBA. Fortunately, they were able to safely taxi the plane back to Above All. Shawn then had the NERVE to charge the student for the blown tire on a flight school plane, which is basically like playing roulette. Upon talking with the mechanics, the student learned that the shop had been constantly filling this tire with air because it already had a leak/issues. Never mind the safety issues, but the audacity to then pass that cost on to the pilot is crazy! Run, run far far away from this place. Much better places where you can learn how to fly.

When you hang around SBA long enough, you start to realize the owner Shawn, is the single most hated person at the airport. She weaponizes the FSDO against everyone else at the airport. She constantly makes life miserable for the rest of the community. I've never heard anyone at the airport speak well of either Shawn or her flight school. Anytime airport admin or the FSDO have to address one of her "anonymous complaints," they always laugh about it. Horrible business owner, shady business practices. I heard a story the other day from one of Above All's students. They flew a plane that had a tire blow out on them upon landing back at SBA. Fortunately, they were able to safely taxi the plane back to Above All. Shawn then had the NERVE to charge the student for the blown tire on a flight school plane, which is basically like playing roulette. Upon talking with the mechanics, the student learned that the shop had been constantly filling this tire with air because it already had a leak/issues. Never mind the safety issues, but the audacity to then pass that cost on to the pilot is crazy! Run, run far far away from this place. Much better places where you can learn how to fly.

I have flown as a student pilot, trained with Above All Aviation. Got my private pilot certificate. I was so well served working with them. They're approach to flying, learning to fly, and everything aviation has been a treat. I have flown with a lot of CFI folks. Above All has the real deal instructors keeping it safe, showing you how and keeping it totally fun. They were completely supportive and always there for me in my quest to be a pilot. If you are thinking of flying, starting lessons or having access to well maintained aircraft you want to tap into that Above All experience.

I have flown as a student pilot, trained with Above All Aviation. Got my private pilot certificate. I was so well served working with them. They're approach to flying, learning to fly, and everything aviation has been a treat. I have flown with a lot of CFI folks. Above All has the real deal instructors keeping it safe, showing you how and keeping it totally fun. They were completely supportive and always there for me in my quest to be a pilot. If you are thinking of flying, starting lessons or having access to well maintained aircraft you want to tap into that Above All experience.

Above All Aviation is a fantastic experience! I am a student pilot from Oklahoma on vacation and really wanted to fly here in Santa Barbara ! Trey was my my CFI very cool ! I always felt relaxed and encouraged even with a lot of things going on in the Class C would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to fly !

Above All Aviation is a fantastic experience! I am a student pilot from Oklahoma on vacation and really wanted to fly here in Santa Barbara ! Trey was my my CFI very cool ! I always felt relaxed and encouraged even with a lot of things going on in the Class C would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to fly !