GET TO KNOW THE SCHOOL
A closer look.
Sky Trails Aviation, the provider website associated with the Nilsen listing in Auburn, offers airplane, helicopter, and seaplane training. The airplane pathway covers private through advanced qualifications, including multiengine, MEI, and ATP preparation in a Diamond DA42. Tailwheel training uses a PA-18 Super Cub, with a separate amphibious Super Cub for single-engine seaplane work. Robinson R22 Beta II and R44 Raven II helicopters support private, instrument, commercial, and CFI instruction. Its Sierra foothills setting also informs advanced tailwheel and mountain-related skill development. Applicants should select the aircraft category and course before comparing equipment, prerequisites, and package terms.
Three aircraft categories
The official site publishes fixed-wing, helicopter, tailwheel, and seaplane instruction.
Advanced airplane platforms
The advanced page identifies a DA42 for multiengine/MEI/ATP work and PA-18 Super Cubs for tailwheel and amphibious seaplane courses.
Robinson helicopter program
The helicopter pages identify R22 Beta II and R44 Raven II aircraft and publish private, instrument, commercial, and CFI training; the R44 is the named instrument-training platform.
Primary airplane options
The fleet page identifies Cessna 150D, 172S/SP, and 182D models among its airplanes, with differing avionics configurations.
Published training options.
The school’s published options are summarized below. Each note explains the training type and what to clarify when comparing the school’s exact course.
Discovery flight
An introductory lesson to explore the aircraft and teaching approach. Ask about flight time, who will instruct you and what the quoted price includes.
Private pilot
A private-pilot training path. Compare the aircraft used, ground-school arrangements and how lessons progress from initial skills to practical-test preparation.
Instrument rating
Training focused on instrument flying, procedures and planning. Compare aircraft and simulator use, scheduling and the preparation expected before flight lessons.
Commercial pilot
A commercial-pilot training option. Ask which aircraft category, prerequisites, experience-building flights and practical-test preparation are included.
Flight instructor training
Training in teaching, lesson preparation and instructional flying. Ask which instructor qualification is included and how practice teaching is assessed.
Multiengine training
Training in multiengine aircraft. Confirm whether the course is an initial rating, an add-on or a transition, and which aircraft will be available.
Multiengine instructor training
Preparation to teach in multiengine aircraft. Ask about entry qualifications, aircraft availability and the ground and flight preparation included.
Airline transport pilot preparation
Advanced preparation for pilots pursuing an airline transport qualification. Establish entry experience, aircraft category and the exact course scope before comparing packages.
Tailwheel endorsement
Training in tailwheel aircraft handling. Confirm the aircraft, entry experience and whether the course includes an endorsement, checkout or additional proficiency work.
Advanced tailwheel and backcountry training
Training in tailwheel aircraft handling. Confirm the aircraft, entry experience and whether the course includes an endorsement, checkout or additional proficiency work.
Seaplane rating
Water-based aircraft training. Ask about the aircraft class, operating location, seasonal availability and the rating or experience the course provides.
Helicopter private pilot
A private-pilot training path. Compare the aircraft used, ground-school arrangements and how lessons progress from initial skills to practical-test preparation.
Helicopter instrument rating
Training focused on instrument flying, procedures and planning. Compare aircraft and simulator use, scheduling and the preparation expected before flight lessons.
Helicopter commercial pilot
A commercial-pilot training option. Ask which aircraft category, prerequisites, experience-building flights and practical-test preparation are included.
Helicopter flight instructor
Training in teaching, lesson preparation and instructional flying. Ask which instructor qualification is included and how practice teaching is assessed.
Ground school
Study and knowledge preparation. Confirm the delivery format, included materials, instructor support and any separate flight-training requirement.
The published options below are supported by the linked school sources.
Aircraft & training scope
Aircraft categories: Airplane · Helicopter · Seaplane
Published aircraft models: Cessna 150D, Cessna 172S/SP, Cessna 182D, Diamond DA42, Piper PA-18 Super Cub, Robinson R22 Beta II, Robinson R44 Raven II
This profile describes the named school and location; advertised services are subject to current availability.
Instrument training in the R44 does not establish approval for flight in actual IMC. Some fleet entries lack model labels, so only explicitly identified models are included.
Training framework & verification
Part 141: Matched to the FAA roster dated 2026-10-19. Confirm the approved course and training location with the school. The workbook does not list individual course approvals or establish training quality.
FAA reference: faa.gov. Confirm the approved course and training location with the school.
PART 141 SOURCE CHECK
FAA roster information.
This listing is matched to the supplied FAA Part 141 roster record. Confirm the approved course and training location with the school; the roster does not list course approvals or establish training quality.
NILSEN INC
Doing business as: SKY TRAILS AVIATION
Certificate AUNS114MLocation designator AUNS
Address as recorded: 2400 RICKENBACKER WAY, AUBURN, CA 95602
Use the faa.gov facility dashboard for future cross-reference. The dated record above reflects the FAA workbook used for this directory update. How we check records
TRAINING FIT
Our school review.
Sky Trails is especially relevant to someone comparing multiple aircraft categories or adding tailwheel, seaplane, or multiengine skills after an initial certificate. The published specialty pages link actual aircraft to the programs, making a course-specific visit worthwhile. The breadth of offerings also means one instructor or enrollment agreement may not cover every goal. Ask how the chosen course handles weather, aircraft performance, off-airport or water operations, and practical-test scheduling without assuming completion in the advertised minimum time.
An AI-assisted editorial assessment of the school’s published information. This is separate from student feedback. We have not attended or inspected this school.
WHAT THE AVAILABLE FEEDBACK TELLS US
Student review evidence.
The review source identifies this Auburn provider as Sky Trails Aviation. Its visible Google excerpts include a private-pilot graduate and a commercial multi-engine student praising knowledgeable, supportive instructors. Other comments describe aircraft-owner assistance and aircraft selection, so the sample spans training and related services. The accounts offer specific positive teaching experiences, but several excerpts are shortened and cannot establish typical completion time or cost. Discuss your intended course with current students and request a written training estimate.
5 / 522 reviews
This location
Sky Trails Aviation is the public-facing provider associated with this Nilsen profile. The directory reproduces shortened Google comments; unrelated generic planning text is excluded.
Source snapshot: 2026-10-23What reviewers appreciated
- Private-pilot and multi-engine students praise instructors' expertise and support. [1]
How to read this evidence
Sky Trails Aviation is the public-facing provider associated with this Nilsen profile. The directory reproduces shortened Google comments; unrelated generic planning text is excluded.
Follow up with the school
- Can I speak with students who completed a full course, beyond an introductory flight or other service?
- How are training progress, lesson availability and total costs communicated to students?
Read the review sources
- Google via Commercial Pilots Training — Nilsen Inc Third-party source
The matching page was read during this review.
AI-assisted summary of the cited material. Public comments are individual experiences; the sample may be small, selective, or dated.
How we prepare review summariesMAKE YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION COUNT
Questions for Nilsen Inc.
- Which instructor and airplane, helicopter, or seaplane are assigned to my chosen course?
- What prior proficiency is expected before the DA42, advanced tailwheel, or amphibious course?
- How do weather and water or off-airport conditions change the specialty-course itinerary?
- What is included in each package for ground study, additional hours, checkride aircraft, and examiner scheduling?
Sources & listing information.
School facts are compiled from the source material below. Imported record identifiers are retained for traceability and are not presented as proof of current certification.
- Official Nilsen Inc information
- Primary Training | Begin Your Flight Journey – Enroll Now! — Sky Trails Aviation
- Official Nilsen Inc information
- Official Nilsen Inc information
- Official Nilsen Inc information
- Official Nilsen Inc information
- faa.gov — Find a FacilityFAA pilot-school facility reference. Part 61 instruction is not a separate FAA school certification.
View source record references
AUNS114M
Part_141_Flight_School_Websites (1).csv; faaverifiedp141.xlsx