Xing Kong Aviation Service LLC
Atwater, California · Castle Airport (KMER)
1 miles away
Typically 85% of daylight hours flyable over the year
Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
Atwater, California, United States· Castle Airport(KMER)
✓ Approved by FAA
Photos from the school's own website
Sierra Academy of Aeronautics at a glance
Sierra Academy of Aeronautics is a flight school at Castle Airport (KMER) in Atwater, United States. It offers training for Private pilot licence (PPL), Instrument rating, Commercial pilot licence (CPL), Multi-engine rating, Flight instructor, and Trial flights. Its fleet includes Cessna 150 / 152, Cessna 172, Piper PA-44 Seminole, and Flight simulator. At Castle Airport, 85% of daylight hours have weather suitable for training flights. The best months are May, June, and July; December is the most difficult. There is 1 other flight school within 31 miles.
Courses and training
Trial flights
This school offers trial flights.
Prices
| Course or item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cessna 152 Rental hour | $120 |
| Cessna 172 Skyhawk Rental hour | $165 |
| Cessna 172 G1000 Rental hour Includes: glass cockpit | $199 |
| Multi-Engine Aircraft Rental hour | $340 |
| CFI Instruction hour Includes: single-engine instruction | $70 |
| MEI Instruction hour Includes: multi-engine instruction | $90 |
| Redbird Simulator hour | $75 |
| Instrument Rating Part 61 course Includes: 20 hrs C172, 30 hrs instructor, 10 hrs sim, 10 hrs ground, pre/post ground, fees, materials | $7,905 |
| Instrument Rating Part 141 course Includes: 25 hrs C172, 35 hrs instructor, 10 hrs sim, 10 hrs ground, 40 hrs ground school, pre/post ground, fees, materials | $11,240 |
| On-Campus Housing day | $40 |
| Meals day | $25 |
Prices last checked September 2026. Always confirm the current price with the school.
Aircraft
Typical flying weather at Castle Airport
Share of daylight hours each month with weather suitable for training flights (cloud base at least 3,000 ft, visibility at least 5 statute miles / 8 km, wind no more than 20 knots, no thunderstorms, freezing conditions or snow).
From weather reports at MERCED/CASTLE AF (0 miles from the airfield), 2016–2025.
Location
- Airfield
- Castle Airport(KMER)
Other schools nearby
Springfield Flying Service
Columbia, California · Columbia Airport (O22)
- Trial flights
- Private pilot licence (PPL)
- Commercial pilot licence (CPL)
- Instrument rating
- +3 more
PPL from $10,000 47 miles away
Typically 92% of daylight hours flyable over the year
Maverick Aviation Services
Stockton, California · Stockton Metropolitan Airport (KSCK)
- Trial flights
- Private pilot licence (PPL)
- Commercial pilot licence (CPL)
- Instrument rating
- +1 more
Trial flight from $199 52 miles away
Typically 89% of daylight hours flyable over the year
JC Air Academy INC
Stockton, California · Stockton Metropolitan Airport (KSCK)
52 miles away
Typically 89% of daylight hours flyable over the year
Skyview Flight Academy
Tracy, California · Tracy Municipal Airport (KTCY)
- Trial flights
53 miles away
Typically 91% of daylight hours flyable over the year
Foothill Aviation LLC
San Andreas, California · Calaveras County Maury Rasmussen Field (KCPU)
- Type ratings
- Seaplane
57 miles away
Typically 92% of daylight hours flyable over the year