Hayward Flight

If you are looking to become a private pilot like I have, then look for CFI (certified flight instructor) Abel or CFI Rick at Hayward flight. They have the highest professionalism and very honest in explaining and teaching each flight lesson.
Their lessons are very flexible. They will teach you what you want to learn (how to fly), while at the same time make sure you understand all the FAA rules and regulations. The instructors at Hayward Flight have been flying all theirs lives, so you can count on their experience.
But reading this, you must understand that a pilot license is not guaranteed. It has to be earn. So if you want to join an exclusive group of men and women who’d defy gravity since the Wright brothers, then come take a peak around at Hayward Flight.
Joe Nguyen,
Best regards

I will definitely be coming back here.
I got a Groupon for a 40 minute flight lesson for my boyfriend and it was awesome. We talked with Abel before the flight and Rick took us on the flight. You can tell that they are passionate about what they do. They’re very knowledgeable and answered all the questions we had. We ended up staying for over an hour even though the lesson was 40 minutes. They are really nice and will work with your schedule. I had to reschedule multiple times and they are responsive every time.

BEWARE. I was lied to and tricked into purchasing a package, then when I went to schedule they wouldn’t let me make an appointment. Here’s what happened.
I found Hayward Flight on groupon and thought it sounded like a great gift idea for my fiancé. Before purchasing, I called the business and spoke with Pier. I asked him if a date a few weeks out was available. He told me he wasn’t able to check availability until I gave him a valid groupon number. This seemed a little strange. «I just want to know if I would be able to schedule on his birthday before I go ahead and buy it,» I told him. But he insisted. «I’m not able to open the appointment schedule for groupon without a valid voucher number. I told him I’d think about it and call him back if I wanted to schedule, and he agreed.
I read a bunch of the reviews on here about what a great time people had, and decided to go ahead and book it. I figured even if I couldn’t get it on his birthday, it would still be a great gift. I called back about a half hour after the initial call. He didn’t answer, so I left a voicemail. I called back several times throughout the afternoon, but he never answered the phone again. Frustrated, I emailed him and let him know I was ready to schedule.
He never called me back, but he responded to my email and told me that the business was currently under certification, and he would get back to me within three business days. Odd, considering he hadn’t mentioned I wouldn’t be able to call back and schedule when I had spoken to him just a half hour before. I politely answered his email and let him know that I’d really like to check on the date we’d discussed as it was for a birthday, and if he could get back with me as soon as possible I’d really appreciate it.
He answered my email the following day, and told me that the date I wanted was already booked, and they were waiting on a possible cancellation. Mind you, I’d never given him the groupon number he’d insisted on needing to check the appointment schedule in the first place. So our first conversation had been bulls**t. He also rudely added that I had purchased a promotion, and it was subject to availability.
I responded politely again, and let him know that if I couldn’t have that date I’d like to get another date on the books instead, and could he let me know about weekend availability anytime in the next six weeks. He never responded to that email. He also never answered the phone again, after that first phone call. Great business practice.
Frustrated, I decided I’d just head down to the office and try to sort things out there. The front desk was empty. I waited for quite awhile, and he never showed.
All this began on a Thursday. I didn’t wait those three business days to see if he’d get back to me by the following Tuesday. I went ahead and cancelled my groupon, because as I’m sure he was well aware, there is a three day refund period until you can’t get your money back.
Scam.

Hayward Flight is a very professional company. Every time I go there, I feel unique because the treatment is not only professional but also personalized and marvelous. Workers always have a smile on their faces and they are very kind and very attentive to little details. Flying with them made me feel secure, valuable and great. Hayward Flights 100% recommended.

I transfer from a couple training centers… so far Hayward Flight is the best. Abel is very professional, very nice person. I highly recommend Hayward Flight.

Good rates and selection of planes. The staff was very courteous and professional. I will be going to them for all my training from now on.

My review is totally negative about this. They are highly unprofessional people. I got the groupon and when I called them they told me to send the mail for reservation. I did mail them Jun 27, Jun 30 and then July 11 regarding getting reservation. Finally they give me a call and fix an appointment for July 19 almost 1 month after trying to reach out to them. When I drive there the office was closed and when I call them they said the reservation is cancelled. The attitude of the person was totally negative and said «You can cancel your reservation». I would highly advice people to be away from this people

I have trained at three different flight schools around the Northern California area, clearly this school is the most efficient and accommodating to my busy schedule. Abel is safe, methodical, patient and thorough with his teaching. Currently training here for my PPL. If you want a safe experience… you found the place

My first flight lesson was a great experience, Abel was very friendly and attentive, we will definitely go again. Highly recommend!

Had such a great experience flying today! My boyfriend bought a groupon for a flight lesson and he also got a cute little certificate! I felt completely safe and comfortable with the instructor Rick and he was very clear with instructions. So much fun! The desk attendant Abel was super awesome and fun to talk to while waiting to take flight! Definitely would love to come back and fly myself or for a tour of San Francisco!

The downfall of being in a long distance relationship is having to book the activity alone before the groupon deal ends when you had originally bought it for your boyfriend. But this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, since my boyfriend wasn’t here this meant that I got to fly the plane! Which turned out to be an amazing experience!
I was able to book my appointment on a Saturday at 1PM. I got there exactly in time, the entrance can be a little tricky — I almost missed it at first but caught sight of the sign in my rear view mirror so made a uturn to get in. When I got there Rick had me fill out a waiver and as soon as I was done, we were on our way! I watched as he did safety check ups for the plane and just spent that time talking to him and getting to know him. He offered to take pictures for me and was really helpful. Since it was just the two of us, we took the smaller plane — as he described it — it was the Toyota Corolla of planes, lol. He let me taxi the plane on the run way and was extremely encouraging the whole way. He explained everything to me before take off and it went smoothly, I felt totally comfortable and before I knew it we were in the air! He let me push the throttle and ascended the plane. Truly a great learning experience. We took off in the sun and landed in the rain — pretty lucky that I got to fly in two different weather conditions. Overall I had a wonderful time with Rick — he answered all my questions, however many there were. Just a great instructor and person I think. A little warning that you might feel a little motion sickness. I usually get motion sickness when flying and I thought piloting would be like driving a car — where you don’t feel the motion sickness if you’re the one in control but apparently you still do! Rick said this was normal and if you continue it’ll eventually go away. But in case you’re up in the air and feeling no bueno — know that they are prepared for it and they have bags. Don’t ruin the trip for yourself feeling uncomfortable trying hold in the food coming up your throat, just let him know! Luckily for us, I wasn’t feeling the extremities of it … because when I asked him (after we landed) if it was normal to feel a little air sick, he said yes and tried to show me the bags but realized he has ran out. HEHE good thing we didn’t have to open a window and let the people down below feel barf rain… that would’ve been disgusting… LOL

Rick was the best! So calm and cool — exactly what you need in a flight instructor. Ask for him!
Used a Groupon for my dad’s Bday gift. Total of 3 customers plus instructor allowed per flight (subject to weight limit). Dad LOVED it and easily taxied, took off, and landed the plane himself without any prior experience or ground training. It’s true — I witnessed it from the passenger seat! Piloting the plane isn’t REQUIRED, but highly recommended!
The plane wasn’t the newest model and showed it’s age, but Rick took his time thoroughly completing the pre– and post-​flight checks. We felt entirely comfortable & safe.
More air time for the $ would have been appreciated. We were up a total of 20 – 25 min. I was hoping for 40 even with the Groupon price. However, my Dad was so concentrated, he was relieved to touchdown and assumed he had flown for an HOUR. =]
We look forward to their Bay Tour for a beautiful special occasion someday in the future.

I booked a demo flight, and it was an incredible experience. The instructor, Rick, really knew his stuff and was fun to fly with. Definitely recommend these guys!

I bought my bf a
bday gift for a simulation training 2yrs ago. Well, this year for his bday I bought him the a simulation AND 45min air tour. My man LOVED it!!! He was trained both times by Rick and we had a ball. I enjoyed watching my honey fly the plan… I wasn’t ready to ride as a passenger, yet. Anyway, Hayward Flights have great gifts, tours and staff… try’em!

Go ahead an use your Groupon for a tourist flight over the Bay… but DO NOT TAKE FLYING LESSONS from this «school.»
Very disorganized; very badly run. Equipment is not well kept.
Getting a license will take you much, MUCH longer than it should, because there is only one instructor and the main office does not supervise him appropriately. And it will cost nearly twice what they tell you up front (over $ 12K for us before we finally JUST GAVE UP and finished elsewhere).
If I could give negative stars, I would. Seriously thinking of contacting the BBB… with which this «business» is not even registered, by the way…

Took my BF here for a surprise bday present and the reason I chose this place was bc there was a deal on Groupon but for an add’l $ 20 the flight would be longer and overseeing SF, thought my BF would actually be able to fly the plane longer which didn’t happen as I was told. But overall, it was a great experience.

Best place for flying lesson, to look around as well. And best thing to do, if you Didn’t, Now you know what to do :)
The Exceptional instructor Rick the «Formidable» ! is the main person that keep that business run well beside the great people over there such as Meti.
That was our First time trying this out. And we will definitely go again

I decided to think outside of the box since my boyfriend’s birthday was coming up. He’s driven tanks, heavy construction equipment & rides motorcycles… I wanted him to experience something new for once & since I had flown before long, long ago. I figured a flying lesson would be perfect!
We took the bikes out to the airport, it was kinda hard to find because we kept passing it! But once we find the place, we checked in & waited for the instructor to arrive. When he got there, I’m he was so cool, I knew the flight lessons were gonna be fun!
So we didn’t do any classroom instruction, we just walked straight out to the plane & started receiving our instructions out there. Then we got in & took off, I flew first, it’s like riding a bicycle. It comes right back after you haven’t done it for years! I decided to try & scare my bf, so I cranked it kinda hard to the right, so when he looked out his passenger window, all he could see were the houses below. He was a little bit freaked out, but he held it in & stayed quiet haha!
We landed after my hour was up, and it was his turn to fly, so we switched places & he took off. He was having so much fun & asking so many questions it was adorable. The instructor was great & my bf wants to keep going back to get his pilot license now! So I’m sure we’ll be back again soon!

Had great fun on my first flight lesson, special credit goes to Rick, my instructor who was very funny and lively and made the whole learning experience an awesome experience !! Bought thru groupon and after reading the reviews from Unilocal gave it a try and it was worth it. accompanied by my better half. I learned to taxi in the run way, take off and landing and drive in the winds.
Totally recommend for any first timers !!

I bought the 1 Hour Bay Tour on groupon. I surprised my boyfriend with this gift because he has always lived in San Francisco but he’s never seen it from above.
You are on a small plane that seats 4 people total, including the pilot. My boyfriend sat in the front with the pilot and was able to play with some of the controls. He was like a little kid again, I saw him light up as we took off. He had this huge smile on his face and I knew he was having a good time. The experience was amazing, I took a lot of pictures. It was a clear sunny day so we were able to see SF finest attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Treasure Island, and downtown SF.
This was worth it and it’s still available for purchase on groupon! If you’ve ever wanted to see SF from above, I recommend buying this!