Rainier Flight Service Testimonials & Reviews

Got my PPL there and rent planes there every other week. great people, well maintained aircrafts.

- Martin O.

They say it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. RFS has proven this to be incorrect. I started at another flight school in the area but switched due to scheduling conflicts. The other school was good but I have to say Rainier is a definitely level up. The instruction I got was incredible and focused on helping me achieve my goal. I had to balance a heavy work schedule with lots of work travel during my training but my instructor was great at finding availability and always propped me back up even with periodic pauses for work. This old dog thought he may not be able to learn this new trick and if it wasn't for Rainier Flight he may not have. I am here now, speaking as a private pilot because of their incredible service and fleet of aircraft. Club member for life :-)

- Jeremy G.

Very professional and courteous people, the genuinely care about providing quality flight instruction. I did 100% of my private pilot training here and all continuing on with my instrument training. I would recommend them to anyone!

- Jeremy D.

I got my PPL here, it's a big school but has a small business vibe. Everyone is super friendly, only a few lessons and people were greeting me by name. Instructors are great, they have a personality type for every kind of student so you'll find a good match regardless. Scheduling may seem like a draw back but if your a week or so ahead on your scheduling you will always find a spot, be proactive and it'll be a non issue. Great fbo for training as well as staying in the sky after you get your certificate. Highly recommend checking out

- Brian I.

I don't leave a lot of reviews, but this one came from the heart because it wouldn't have happened without Rainier Flight. I'm so thankful to have received my training at Rainier flight school, I passed my check ride and received my private pilot certificate today because of them!

Initially was greeted with a warm welcome and it really set the tone for Rainier and I'm glad I choose Rainier Flight.

Above all, I can't say enough about all the amazing CFI's I had the pleasure of working with, all really good guys, but especially Alex McKelvey. For a young guy, he is poised, calm, collected and very well manner and awesome instructor!!! It's because of Alex and the great group that I will be coming back for my Instrument rating and recommending your shop to everyone that asks!

Thanks Rainier Flight for an awesome experience!

- Ilich V.

I recently received my private pilot's license through RFS. It's the only flight school that I've been to, so it might be difficult for me to compare it to other flight schools. I'll say that my instructors made absolutely sure I was ready for my checkride, and ensured I was a capable pilot before signing me off. They work a 141 program for everyone (even if you're part 61) which, while taking it, seemed inflexible. Looking back, I'm glad I had stage checks and a lesson plan. They only passed me once I was ready. Their rates a very affordable compared to other schools.

- Dylan R.

Great place to fly. Rates are a bit high, but the quality of instruction and aircraft makes up for it. Big emphasis on making sure you are a good pilot AND a safe pilot. As a Private Pilot myself, aircraft are pretty easy to schedule provided you book a few days in advance. (Also, while not related to the school, getting to taxi a Cessna 172 next to Boeing 737s that sport unique liveries is really cool! You feel like you just landed at a major international airport!)

- Travis B.

Best flight school in the Seattle area. Friendly staff, great facilities and aircraft, and an overall great operation.

- Drew P. Seattle, WA

I just got my private pilot certificate from Rainer Flight Service. Usually I'm not so willing to spend much time writing a review, but RFS deserves my time. They offer an safe, easy and relax environment for you to learn. My instructor Mark is really helpful. Flying with him had lots of fun. Even sometime when he's not available, it's easy to approach to other instructors as well.

But I must say the ground school part you have to be self-motivated, and read tons of stuff. It's a long journey and you have to keep the hard work.

And another thing I can think of is that since they are so popular, sometimes the aircraft and instructor schedule is really crazy, so you have to really think about your plan and book ahead of time.

- Yunhao S. Kirkland, WA

I'm a  international student from HongKong, I got my private licence in just 4 months while im also going to college. I would say this is the best school in the area, they charges lower rate than others while the quality of instructing is one of the best in the nation. Most of the instructors was graduated from Embry Riddle aeronautical university which is also one of the best in the world. The owners both are 737 pilot and they shares lots of their experiences to the students and they also make sure the students will get more than enough help so they could go through the progress of success. Try it and you will never regret.

- Jacky N. Seattle, WA

Flight schools tend to focus on the "...we're teaching safe flying with safe airplanes.." and often let the business side of a customer service experience escape them.  I'm oftentimes very outspoken about how a poor customer service experience, or overheard "bull pen" session by the instructors can increase the chances of a less than successful experience during a lesson. 

Why do I mention this?  RFS, Rainier Flight Service, gets this.  It's not a "procedure" for them, but a natural extension of the flying experience.  Hanna, Amy or Chandra are always eager to greet the prospective new pilot, the worn out student pilot or the recently crowned private pilot (my most recent experience).  It's not scripted or contrived - but real satisfaction in your experience. 

My instructor, Dylan, was perfectly matched for my experience.  Directed, precise, no BS and expected a great deal out of my lessons.  I studied hard -- a caution to reviewers and would be pilots.  This school provides you the environment, the facilities, the resources and tools to find the most suitable academic and flight environment that you could possibly configure.  Take utter advantage of that.  My instructor refused to allow the standard "..ok - well that was within the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards, lets' move on..." - rather, it was always an evaluation of what could be better, what was learned and how we applied it the next time. 

The structure of the various programs at RFS are well documented and defined (check out the website and read the public documents on standardization, aircraft profiles, etc). 

The Chief Flight Instructor, Jim, is a no nonsense guy.  Perform, learn and apply what you know and he'll ensure that your earnest effort at obtaining a rating in achieved.  This is a no BS experience - put your cards on the table and let the RFS instructor and Chief Instructor sort out any challenges in your academic and practical knowledge.  They demonstrate daily an accessible method for ensuring your eventual check ride is routine and less stressful.  Some folks look at the RFS schedule and see a difficult environment to schedule lessons and rental aircraft.  I look at this as a supply and demand model in a mode where the aircraft are maintained to a standard that people demand them! 

The instructors, specifically Dylan, are honest, enthusiastic and eager to see you succeed.  Remember - like anything - you get what you put into it.  As good as the staff and organization at RFS is, they still need a prepared student!  Come with that approach and you'll be very pleased with this outfit.

- Google