Revolution Aviation, Santa Ana

For every training flight they lead, the FAA-certified instructors at Revolution Aviation take flight from John Wayne Airport right alongside their students—except, of course, when the craft they're flying is unmanned. The flying outfit caters not just to students earning their helicopter and airplane pilot licenses, but also to those entering the nascent field of drone operation, which doesn't yet require a license, but is soon expected to. This unique offering is understandable given the instructors' backgrounds, which include aerial experience such as formation flying, aircraft carrier operation, and carrying an external load via helicopter. Their plane and helicopter training services are similarly diverse, ranging from discovery flights and private-pilot courses to scenic tours over LA, Hollywood, and the Pacific Coast, which take place in helicopters instead of on drones equipped with saddles.