About
We provide a fundamentals-based education that trains aviators as apprentices learning a craft, not just operators memorizing procedures.
Our Mission
To empower pilots to have the earned confidence that comes from hard work and a solid foundation.
We think every pilot deserves the experience of feeling safe and competent in the air.
Our Story
In 2016, we were flight instructors at the Auburn Municipal Airport in Northern California, part of a small but passionate community of mentors and students. Our students kept asking for better ground school resources, something that went deeper than test prep. We built Flight Apprentice to offer the fundamentals-first education we wish we’d had.
Our Thoughts on Training
- Challenge is good! Learning to fly is not easy, and it shouldn’t be. Our courses are not easy, because you deserve better than “easy.”
- Simplicity is safe. We teach simply because simple is useful in the air. Some things are just plain complicated, but we know that overcomplicating just makes all of us worse off.
- Fundamentals first. We spend a lot of time on fundamentals like decision making and aerodynamics to ensure that our graduates are prepared for the real world regardless of what they fly.
- Don’t teach the test. Our programs prepare and endorse students for written exams, but we don’t over-focus on the written. If you genuinely use the program to learn, the written is no factor.
- Better together. We work as a team, and our students benefit from our unique perspectives and backgrounds.
Who We Are
Flight Apprentice is built by working pilots — airline captains, corporate jet pilots, check airmen, and aerobatic instructors who teach because we love it.
Andrew Moon
Andrew leads the Instrument and Multi-Engine courses. Known for his down-to-earth teaching style, he’s a Gold Seal Flight Instructor with 2,400 hours of teaching experience and a background as a Part 135 corporate jet Chief Pilot.
Jake Roach
Jake leads the Private Pilot course, emphasizing the fundamentals of risk management and aerodynamics. He also co-teaches the Airline course, bringing his background as an airline Instructor and Captain.
James Jacobson
James leads the Commercial and Airline courses, combining his experience as an aerobatic instructor, Line Check Airman, and law nerd with his passion for precision and stick-and-rudder excellence.
Jonathan Killea
Jonathan leads the Helicopter Ground School, blending his experience as a helicopter instructor, tour pilot, and sensor operator with his fixed-wing background as an instructor and airline Captain.
Contact
Have a question? Reach out anytime — email us or send a text.
(916) 259 3136 (call or text)