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Welcome to Life at CAU

More than just a flight school, California Aeronautical University is an aviation community. We’re passionate about aviation and helping the next generation reach their aviation aspirations.

You’ll find us at local air shows, supporting our Flight Team at SAFECON nationals, and celebrating our graduates as they start careers on the flight deck of major airlines, like Delta and United.

See what it’s like to live, learn, and fly as a CAU student.

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Take a Look Around

CAU students come from all walks of life and they usually share one thing in common: a passion for aviation. Some come to CAU straight out of high school, some come after serving in the U.S. military, and others come after they’ve started careers in other fields – all united by the drive to pursue a future in aviation. Whether they’re training to become a commercial pilot, aircraft maintenance technician, or aviation business professional, our students are hard-working and dedicated to reaching their goals.

Explore their stories and see what it’s like to be part of the CAU community.

A Day in the Life

At California Aeronautical University, our students live, eat, and breathe aviation.

Curious what a day in the life of a student pilot looks like? Follow Matt as he moves seamlessly between the skies and campus life at the main campus. He walks from his dorm to flight practice, grabs lunch at SkyWay Cafe, and heads to ground school with friends.

Between flights, he enjoys a quick coffee break, joins an airline visit, attends a Flight Team meeting, and practices in the simulator—all before heading back to on-campus housing.

Student Achievements

Pilot Solo Flights

Two smiling men standing beside a small white Cessna training plane with "CAU" on the tail at an airport apron.
Man in sunglasses and CAU jacket standing beside a small white airplane tail marked N198TH and CALIFORNIA AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY.
Two young pilots in uniform standing beside a small white training plane under a large hangar canopy.
Two smiling men standing by a white Cessna Skyhawk SP light plane under a shaded hangar roof, one giving a thumbs-up
Two men standing in front of a small white-and-blue single-engine airplane on a sunny tarmac with hangars and other planes in the background.
Man in sunglasses standing beside a white single-engine training plane marked "California Aeronautical University N198TH" on tarmac.
Two people in yellow safety vests standing beside a California Aeronautical University Cessna with mountains in background.
Two men in khaki pants shaking hands beside a white training airplane marked N478CA and California Aeronautical University.

Pilot Checkrides

Two young men smiling beside a small white training airplane; one wears a pilot uniform shirt with "California Aeronautical University."
Young pilot in a white California Aeronautical University uniform holding a document while standing in front of a small propeller airplane under a hangar roof.
Young pilot in uniform jumping in front of a small single-engine plane under a hangar wing, holding papers.
Smiling pilot in uniform sitting in a small white single-engine plane doorway holding paperwork.
Smiling pilot in uniform holding paperwork standing in front of a small single-engine airplane with propeller visible
Young pilot in uniform holding a certificate standing in front of a small white propeller plane under an open hangar.
Two smiling young men shaking hands beside a small white single-engine plane under a hangar roof
Two smiling people posing on a small white airplane's nose under a hangar roof, one in pilot uniform and one in casual clothes

AMT Certifications

Smiling technician in CAU uniform holding a certificate in front of a white Cessna training plane inside a hangar
Man wearing a cap and black shirt standing in front of an aircraft nose marked "EXPERIMENT" holding up a paper document and smiling
Young man in CAU hat and polo smiling and holding a license in front of a military helicopter fuselage
Two men in CAU shirts holding a certificate in front of a green military helicopter cockpit inside a hangar
Man smiling and giving thumbs up while holding a certificate in front of a green military helicopter inside a hangar
Smiling young woman in a hangar holding a certificate beside a small white airplane tail marked "CAU" and a propeller.
Person in a CAU maintenance uniform holding paperwork in front of a small white airplane tail inside a hangar.
Man in dark uniform holding a certificate standing in front of a small white airplane inside a hangar.

Recognitions and Awards

We’re proud of our students for the dedication they show in pursuing their futures. From top finishes at national flight competitions to leadership recognition, many go above and beyond during their time at CAU.

White trophy icon with handles and the number 1 on it centered on a rounded blue square background

1st Place
Power-Off Landing
SAFECON Flight Competition

White user avatar silhouette with a star badge at the lower right on a rounded blue square background

Elected
Student Representative
NIFA Council

NIFA Council Student Representative - CAU

CAU Student Elected as NIFA Council Student Representative

California Aeronautical University is proud to announce University student and Flight Team member Jacaree Louis was recently elected as this year’s National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Council Student Representative. Elected...

White burst badge with a bold number 1 centered on a rounded blue square background

1st Female
Flight Mechanic Team
Kern County Sheriff’s Office

Graduate Earns Distinction From CAU - CAU

Graduate Earns Distinction From CAU

First Woman Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) The challenges of finding qualified aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) have accelerated over the last decade, making it difficult to fulfill the much-needed demand in the aviation industry.* In this male-dominated...

Alumni Success

Our graduates are making their mark in the aviation industry. From the flight decks of major airlines to leadership roles in maintenance and business, CAU alumni are living proof of where a CAU education can take you.

CAU Alumni Miguel

Miguel Diaz

B.S. Aeronautics Graduate

Miguel grew up in California and turned his father’s dream of flying into his own, training at CAU to earn his certificates and ratings and become a flight instructor. He later flew for SkyWest and Frontier before achieving his goal of joining the majors as a Delta Air Lines first officer, where he now flies the Airbus A320 family.

CAU Alumni Carrie

Carrie Certuche

AMT Graduate

Carrie, CAU’s 1st female AMT graduate, grew up in Texas inspired by her uncle, a pilot and mechanic. After serving as an aviation electronics technician in the U.S. Navy, she advanced her career with Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky before training at CAU. Today, she serves as the Director of Maintenance at Kern County Sheriff’s Office.

CAU Alumni Brycen

Brycen Yamaguchi

B.S. Aeronautics Graduate

Brycen grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his passion for aviation was sparked by his father, a police officer who often worked with helicopter pilots. Seeing aviation up close inspired Brycen to realize that a career in flying wasn’t just possible—it offered a lifestyle that would allow him to travel the world.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re just beginning to explore aviation or you’re ready to launch your journey at California Aeronautical University, we have a path for you. Choose the option that best fits where you are in your decision process:

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