What’s It Like to Train at MYF, SEE, and CRQ?
San Diego offers multiple awesome training environments for student pilots. Here's a quick breakdown of each:
Montgomery Field (MYF)
Bustling, central, and well-connected to the city. It’s often busy, so while it’s great for those who want to get used to air traffic and complex environments, it can be a bit crowded for flight training.McClellan-Palomar (CRQ)
Great coastal views and a modern vibe, but it can also get busy during peak hours due to jet traffic. It’s an ideal spot if you want a scenic flight experience, but it’s not always the most efficient for training when traffic picks up.Gillespie Field (SEE) (My Preferred Location)
Gillespie is hands down the best place to train. It’s the least busy of the three airports, which means less time waiting in the pattern and more time in the air. It’s also closest to the practice area, so we can maximize the efficiency of each flight. Because we’re not dealing with heavy traffic, we can get straight into maneuvering and practice without delays, allowing you to focus on building skills and confidence faster.For these reasons, Gillespie is my go-to for training. It provides the perfect mix of accessibility, low traffic, and proximity to key practice areas, making it ideal for student pilots looking to make the most of their flight time.