Trade Winds Aviation

"Trade Winds Aviation and it’s employees are extremely suspicious and have been acting bizarre lately. First of all the fact they have employees circling the parking lot checking out cars late at night is not normal behavior. Also the fact they believe to own the publicly funded and operated Airport of San Martin is beyond me. A photo attached of one of the employees I found to be checking vehicles out in the main public parking lot of the Airport."

"Came here to rent a 172 to fly while I was in the area for a few months. Made an appointment with a CFI to get checked out. Upon arrival was told I had to join their club before I could even meet the CFI. After the check ride I was hit with a bill for almost 500 dollars for the one hour flight. Everything from the preflight to just hanging out talking to the CFI in the office before the flight was billed at the ground school rate of 110/hr plus the price of the aircraft almost 200/hr. Then there are extra fees on top of the membership dues, and a fuel surcharge that I was told would be added but would be an unknown amount per hour. At the end of the check right the CFI was very friendly and told me I could go ahead and schedule part 2 of the checkride where we would do some crosswind landings and go over the written exam, presumably at the same 110/hr ground school rate. I declined to continue, and found a much better school/club."

"Offshoot of Reid-Hillview airport location in San Jose. Just took over aviation school operations from Magnum Aviation, and San Martin Aviation is the new fixed base operator. Staff is courteous and helpful."

"An excellent place to learn how to fly. This is an extension of the main Trade Winds Aviation office at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose and is staffed by the same fine folks. I only completed their ground school, but highly recommend them for all their aviation training."