Flight SchoolBased atKVIS

Visalia Flyers LLC

Visalia Flyers, LLC provides flight instruction according to Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The school offers flight training, aircraft rental, and simulator time. Founded by Byron Vander Weide who has been working in the aviation industry since 2011, the organization operates from the Visalia airport with a fleet of Cessna 172 aircraft and an FAA-approved BATD flight simulator.

PPL from
$40
Fleet
4aircraft
VFR days
~305/yr
Est.
2017

Programs & Services

Training

Private Pilot

Private pilot certificate program from zero experience through checkride, including ground school and flight training.

Instrument Rating

IFR training covering precision and non-precision approaches, holds, cross-country flight planning, and partial-panel work.

Commercial Pilot

Commercial certificate training including complex and high-performance aircraft time, maneuvers, and cross-country requirements.

CFI

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) training covering fundamentals of instruction, lesson planning, and flight teaching techniques for single-engine aircraft.

Rental

Aircraft Rental

Rent aircraft for solo flights after completing a checkout with one of our instructors. Wet and dry rates available.

Career Pathway

The path to the airlines — highlighted steps are available here

PPL
IR
CPL
CFI
CFII
ME
MEI
ATP
Private Pilot
Instrument Rating
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor
Instrument Instructor
Multi-Engine
Multi-Engine Instructor
Airline Transport Pilot

Pricing

as of Feb 2026
Airplane Rental
$160
Instructor
$70
Simulator Time
$40
Checkride fee
$500
Online ground school course
$300

Fleet

1

150

150

1

172P

172P

1

172

172

1

172N

172N

Team

12 members
BV
Byron Vander Weide
Founder and Principal · Founded Visalia Flyers, LLC. Has been working in the aviation industry since 2011. Graduated from Reedley College aviation maintenance program in 2013.
AT
Andrew Tiemersma
Certified Flight Instructor · Started flying in 2019 as one of Visalia Flyers' first students. Earned CFI certificate in early 2022. Previously worked in agricultural banking and works on family dairy farm.
NJ
Nick Johnson
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument · 18 years old. Father served as Navy fighter pilot. Commercial pilot and dedicated flight instructor focused on professionalism and safety.
ML
Max Leisten
Certified Flight Instructor · Started flying at 17, got private pilot license at 18. Earned CFI license in 2023. Inspired to become pilot while traveling to Sweden.
KT
Kevin Thompson
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument · Aviation is third career. Previously worked as kayak instructor, fly-fishing guide, and in industrial rope access industry. Paragliding pilot and owns Vans RV-4.
AW
Alex Wilson
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument · First generation pilot. Obsessed with aviation since childhood. Pursued flight training after college graduation.
LA
Lance Aytman
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
BP
Brian Pozar
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument · Watched Top Gun daily after school. Solo'd at 16 in 1994 at Visalia airport. Executive at multi-national manufacturing company. Values safety, professionalism, and fun.
JJ
Joseph Jolliff
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument · Childhood dream of flying and traveling. Taught English and traveled in Africa, Asia, Europe
TH
Tanner Herman
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument · 23 years old. Completed Private Pilot ground school at University of Southern Illinois. Earned Bachelor's in Aviation Management and all certificates from Private Pilot to CFII in three years.
LF
Lloyd Fries
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument · Flight instructor since 1977. Started flying in 1975 at Visalia Airport. Over 8, 600 hours flight time with over 7, 250 hours of flight instruction given. Active teaching ground schools in Visalia and T
SM
Scott Mill
Certified Flight Instructor · Originally from Monterey. Seven years in Navy as Instructor Flight Engineer on P-3 Orion with over 2, 500 hours. Earned all ratings by September 2019 through ATP flight school in Sacramento.

Nearby in CA

5 more schools
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