I paid a checkride deposit, then they never scheduled my checkride. I asked for a refund and never received one. They have stopped responding to all communication attempts. Poor management mixed with terrible customer service.
Read newest reviews to see similar unsatisfactory experiences. There is no simulator, housing, or in house DPE.
2/16/26
After over 3 dozen emails and phone calls, they have yet to send my refund.
3/7/26
In response to their comment, I have emailed them 8 times and called 4 times since February 6th and I have not received any refund. They have no “team” it’s a couple guys in a shed off the side of the highway.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. Please contact our customer service team so we can address your issue promptly and ensure this matter is resolved to your satisfaction.
A. Cruz2026.02.20
My daughter surprised my fiancée and me with this experience for my 47th birthday, and from the moment we arrived, it was absolutely incredible. I was a little anxious at first, but our pilot, Raj, was outstanding. He immediately made us feel comfortable, had a great sense of humor, and completely put us at ease.
The front desk staff was also extremely kind and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better from start to finish. It was truly an amazing experience, and we will definitely be doing it again.
Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to leave us a review.
Dan Muzik2026.02.06
Cfi academy is the best out there. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely care about your success not only with the checkride but in your future career
Hi, Dan. Thanks so much for taking the time to write us a review.
Sawinder Singh2026.01.20
Just earned my CFI/CFII at CFI Academy —outstanding program. Instructors were patient, knowledgeable, and focused on making me an effective Instructor from day one. Loved the emphasis on clear explanations, safety, and real-world scenarios. Clean aircraft, no-nonsense syllabus, supportive team vibe. Checkride's went smoothly (first attempt Pass). If you want quality CFI/CFII training that actually prepares you, this is it. 5 stars! ✈️
Thank you very much for your review. Hope to see you again!
Ramanbir Mahal2026.01.20
I passed my CFI checkride on the first try with flying colors, and I genuinely feel ready to be an effective, safety-focused instructor. If you're serious about becoming a CFI/CFII/MEI and want top-tier preparation that goes beyond the minimums, CFI Academy is the place to go. Worth every penny—thank you to the entire team!
Hi, Ramanbir. Thanks for your review. Glad to hear you had a great experience.
Paul Eady2025.11.20
CFI Academy is a solid choice to expedite your path toward flight instruction. Prince might be the most knowledgeable person I’ve ever met in GA, and his pearls of wisdom are great. Advice is to arrive prepared and do far less speaking than listening. Read everything that is provided and get some right seat exposure prior to attending.
Hi, Paul. Thanks for your review. Glad to hear you had a great experience.
Diego Briones2025.10.23
PLEASE AVOID THIS PLACE!!!
I recently joined them and it was a terrible experience. Very unprofessional. In their website they advertise in house DPE's, which wasn't true. I also asked for on-campus housing and it wasn't available. Since the first day of class I noticed a lot of red flags. The school is a mess, looks very dirty and unorganized. We were supposed to have 8 hours of ground school every day starting at 9 am but we would always start an hour late. The instructor Prince would just give us a bunch of papers, advisory circulars and non-faa documents, he would just tell us to study at home; instead of the 8 hours of ground, we would only do 4-5 hours, with the instructor taking a bunch of smoking breaks. Prince is a very knowledgeable instructor, but he had a very negative attitude towards all of the students. When making our first lesson plans for certain maneuver, he would just say comments like "well that was embarrazing" or "it was terrible" without giving any proper feedback. In their website they advertise over 90% passing rate in their checkrides, but during my time there I heard over 6 students failing the checkride. In general I felt like there was never any proper structure and organization of the CFI course, it felt all over the place, no proper order, no feedback, nothing I really liked to the point in which I had to ask for a refund the third day of class. They told me ground wasn't refundable which I don't agree, if your not happy with the service you paid for, you should get a refund. The school only has one cessna 172K for all of the students, the plane was very sketchy and looked unsafe to fly. I didn't get to fly until the second week and before my checkride day I had only flown 4 times. Please read all of the bad reviews about the school. I wish I actually read them before joining. Terrible experience overall, please stay away from this mess of a school.
EDIT:
I noticed the school replied to my review. I appreciate their response, but I stand by my experience as described. My intention in sharing this is to help future students make informed decisions.
We’re sorry to hear you left feeling disappointed with your experience, Diego. While we respect every student’s perspective, we’d like to provide some important clarification for anyone reading this.
Diego joined our September 15th CFI course and progressed steadily through both ground and flight training. He was scheduled for his checkride on October 13th — with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who was already onsite conducting checkrides for other students. Unfortunately, Diego chose to withdraw just two days before his scheduled checkride.
Our program structure has been consistent since 1998: the first week focuses on intensive ground instruction, and flight training begins in the second week. This method ensures that each student builds a strong knowledge foundation before teaching in the air — a system that has produced hundreds of successful graduates and FAA-certified instructors.
CFI Academy operates a fleet of 12 aircraft, all maintained in-house by our FAA-certified maintenance personnel. Each airplane is regularly inspected by the local FAA FSDO office as part of Part 141 oversight. Our student-to-aircraft ratio of 3:1 allows for excellent scheduling flexibility and minimal downtime.
As a Part 141-approved school, we are required by the FAA to maintain an 80% or higher first-time checkride pass rate, and we consistently exceed that standard.
While flight instructor training is demanding and fast-paced, our team’s focus is always on structure, safety, and quality. We sincerely wish Diego the best in his future aviation endeavors and encourage prospective students to review our many success stories and program details at www.CFIAcademy.com
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— Prince Singh, Chief Instructor, CFI Academy
Erik Barry Erhardt2025.10.21
A great experience for completing a CFI or add-on rating. Arrive well-prepared in your knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91 (at least); FAA handbooks AIH, PHAK, and AFH (at least); and good knowledge exam scores. You'll have lots to read and study each day in addition to learning to fly and instruct from the right seat. Assume an instructor's attitude early on. Prince and his team will give you the support you need to be successful.
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We’re thrilled you found our CFI and add-on rating program both challenging and rewarding. At CFI Academy, our goal is to help every pilot master FAA standards and transition confidently into the role of flight instructor.
As a fully FAA Part 141-approved flight school well maintained aircraft, in-house maintenance facility, we take pride in providing a professional environment where serious aviators can learn efficiently and safely.
We appreciate your mention of preparation and attitude — those are exactly the qualities that lead to success in our 3-week Certified Flight Instructor course. Thank you again for choosing CFI Academy in Lodi, California, and for recommending us to future pilots ready to advance their aviation careers.
✈️ Learn more about our programs at www.CFIAcademy.com
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Just finished the CFI course at CFI Academy, and I honestly couldn’t be happier with the experience. If you're serious about becoming a flight instructor and want a fast-paced, focused program, this is 100% the place to go.
The instructors here know their stuff inside and out, and they do a great job of breaking down complex topics in a way that actually sticks. You’re not just memorizing – you're learning how to teach and fly at a higher level. I really appreciated the one-on-one attention and how committed they were to helping each of us succeed.
It’s definitely intensive (they’re not kidding when they say accelerated), but the structure, support, and camaraderie make it more than manageable—and even fun. I walked away not only with my CFI certificate but with the confidence to actually go out and instruct.
If you’re interested in understanding the why, come here and learn from Prince and the team. I can’t recommend CFI Academy enough.
Hi, David. Thank you for such an amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience completing your CFI course with us. Our team works hard to make our FAA Part 141 Certified Flight Instructor program both fast-paced and highly effective, focusing on real teaching skills, not just memorization.
We’re proud that you felt supported by our instructors and benefited from our one-on-one coaching and structured 3-week training plan. That combination of focus, mentorship, and efficiency is exactly what helps our students graduate with both confidence and competence.
Thank you again for recommending CFI Academy in Lodi, California — your success story inspires future pilots who are ready to take the next step in their aviation careers!
✈️ Learn more about our CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine training programs at www.CFIAcademy.com
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John Van Dyk2025.10.17
I had a great experience obtaining my CFI at CFI-Academy Lodi. Prince is incredibly knowledgeable and did a fantastic job directing focus of study in preparation for the practical test. Very comfortable and relaxing environment with a great staff and well maintained fleet. Highly recommend.
Hi John. Thank you for the kind words and for trusting CFI Academy in Lodi, California for your Certified Flight Instructor training. We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great experience and felt supported throughout your preparation for the FAA practical test.
Our team works hard to create a focused yet comfortable learning environment, supported by experienced instructors, a well-maintained fleet of 12 aircraft, and a full in-house FAA-certified maintenance facility. We’re proud that these elements helped make your training both productive and enjoyable.
Congratulations on earning your CFI certificate — we look forward to seeing you inspire the next generation of pilots! ✈️
Learn more about our FAA Part 141 CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine training programs at www.CFIAcademy.com
Kamronbek Rakhmatov2025.10.13
Good school if you are seeking to get your license asap! I have got my Commercial Pilot License initially on multi engine aircraft here.
Hi, Kamronbek. Thank you for the great feedback! We’re glad you had such a positive experience earning your Commercial Pilot License here at CFI Academy in Lodi, California. Our FAA Part 141-approved training program is designed for pilots who want to progress efficiently while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.
We’re proud of our multi-engine training program, knowledgeable instructors, and well-maintained fleet of 12 aircraft, all supported by our in-house FAA-certified maintenance facility.
Congratulations on achieving your Commercial rating, and thank you for recommending CFI Academy to future pilots who want to reach their goals quickly and confidently! ✈️
Learn more about our Commercial, CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine training courses at www.CFIAcademy.com
A Bhullar2025.10.12
Did my CFII here and loved it! Instructors were super knowledgeable and actually made instrument stuff make sense. Training was smooth, airplanes were solid, and they set me up for an easy checkride pass. Highly recommend👍👍
Thank you for the awesome review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your CFII training at CFI Academy in Lodi, California. Our instructors take pride in making instrument flying and teaching clear, practical, and confidence-building.
We’re thrilled that you found the training smooth, the airplanes reliable, and the checkride preparation effective — that’s exactly the standard we strive to maintain across all our FAA Part 141 flight instructor programs.
Congratulations on earning your Instrument Instructor certificate, and thank you for recommending CFI Academy to other pilots ready to advance their aviation careers! ✈️
Explore our CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine courses at www.CFIAcademy.com
Sam B2025.10.12
Just finished my Commercial + CFI course at CFI Academy in Lodi/Acampo. Amazing instructors (Prince, Wyatt, Kyle, Fadi) who really care about your success. The program is accelerated, structured, and effective—I passed my CFI checkride on the first attempt. Aircraft are well-maintained, ground school is solid, and the learning environment is motivating. Highly recommend for anyone pursuing flight instructor certification in California.
Hi, Sam. Thank you for this incredible review and for trusting CFI Academy in Lodi/Acampo, California for your Commercial and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) training. We’re thrilled that you found the program accelerated, structured, and effective — and congratulations on passing your CFI checkride on the first attempt!
Our instructors — Prince, Wyatt, Kyle, and Fadi — truly appreciate your recognition. Their dedication, combined with our well-maintained fleet of 12 aircraft, FAA Part 141-approved curriculum, and strong in-house maintenance team, helps ensure every student receives top-tier training and support.
We’re proud to be known for efficient, high-quality flight training and a motivating learning environment. Thank you for recommending CFI Academy to future aviators pursuing their Commercial Pilot or Flight Instructor certification in California. ✈️
Learn more about our CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine programs at www.CFIAcademy.com
Berkeley Hancock2025.10.07
This is the first review I’ve ever written, and there’s a reason for it — I want to warn others about this school.
I’ve held off posting because CFI Academy still owes me money, but at this point, I don’t see any chance of getting it back.
When I first walked in, I had my doubts, but they reassured me with lines like, “Don’t worry, this is how it goes — we’ll get you done.” So I trusted them and completed the ground portion of the CFI course.
I only got one hour of flight time and never even got to do a check ride. The school had just one plane for the CFI course, which was constantly down for maintenance — and yes, weather was a factor at times too.
The “eight hours a day” ground course turned into maybe five hours total, not counting the constant smoking breaks. Realistically, we got around four hours of instruction a day.
They require full payment upfront, and now it’s been nearly a year — no refund, no returned calls, nothing. I called every day for weeks and never got a single response.
I completed everything they asked for, but never got what I paid for.
If you’re considering this school, think twice before handing over your money. Save yourself the stress and go somewhere that values honesty and professionalism.
CFI academy was much more pleasant than I was expecting. Fadi and Prince were great, as were the other staff. Prince is without a doubt one of the most knowledgeable people I have met in regards to aviation.
The facility was also very convenient. Having two showers to split between six people meant we weren't fighting in the mornings, and the complementary coffee kept us awake.
As for the instruction, when it came time for checkrides I felt well prepared and was able to pass on my first attempt.
Pro tip: Sitting at the seat closest to the bathroom gives you special privileges. I would highly recommend.
Thank you very much for your review. Hope to see you again!
Duke Devlin2025.09.30
I had an excellent experience at CFI Academy in Lodi. The staff, especially Prince and Fedi, were friendly, professional, and made the process very straightforward. Their flat-rate, no-surprise approach gave me peace of mind, and I always knew what to expect.
The program is rigorous and fast-moving, so it takes commitment, but that’s exactly what helped me grow. Prince, the chief pilot, is passionate about teaching and shares practical lessons from his own flying background. Thanks to his guidance, I felt well prepared for the checkride.
If you’re serious about becoming a CFI and want a clear, efficient path with supportive instructors, this is a great place to train.
Thanks Duke. It is our pleasure to be a part of your success story.
Muhammad Shahbaz2025.09.29
I had a great experience at CFI Academy in Lodi. The staff, especially Prince and Fedi, were incredibly accommodating and kind, which made the entire process smooth and welcoming. One thing I really appreciated was their fixed-fee, no-hassle policy—very transparent, no hidden costs, and no nonsense.
It’s important to note that this program is fast-paced and requires dedication. Some students who might not have been cut out for the intensity seemed to take their frustrations out on the staff, but in reality, the program pushes you to level up and become a better pilot. If you’re ready to put in the work, you’ll thrive here.
Prince, the chief pilot, is passionate about teaching and brings a wealth of knowledge. I particularly enjoyed learning from his tips and tricks, many rooted in his own flying experience and past mistakes—something that made the lessons relatable and practical. The Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) was also great, very familiar with the school since he works with their students regularly.
Thanks to Prince’s guidance, I went into the checkride knowing exactly what to expect, and he was spot on in preparing us.
Overall, CFI Academy offers an enjoyable and efficient program that delivers results. If you want a no-frills, focused, and well-run path to becoming a CFI, I would recommend them.
Hi, Muhammad. Thanks for your review. Glad to hear you had a great experience.
Manjit Pritam2025.09.22
“Thrilled to say I’m officially a CFI! 🎉✈️ Huge thanks to the team at CFI Academy in Lodi, CA for the amazing Commercial + CFI course. Great instructors, supportive classmates, and a program that really works. If you’re looking for an accelerated flight instructor program that actually delivers, I can’t recommend them enough
Thank you very much for your review. Hope to see you again!
Trae Wyman2025.09.22
Great experience overall. The instructors were knowledgeable, patient, and focused on safety. The aircraft were well-maintained, and scheduling was flexible. I felt fully supported throughout my training and left confident in my skills. Highly recommend for anyone pursuing their pilot license.
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