Your first experience at any flight school is likely to be a Discovery Flight. That’s your opportunity to see what it’s like to fly for the first time before committing to getting a pilot’s license.
We offer discounted Discovery Flights so that you can get a true sense for flying. It helps you make sure it’s something you want to pursue, either professionally or recreationally. If you’ve never flown before, there’s nothing to be worried about. It’ll be fun! Here’s what you can expect from your Discovery Flight.
Our flight school is friendly and relaxed.
Don’t be intimidated or worried. We keep Discovery Flights easy and laid-back. Our experienced, professional instructors make sure you’re comfortable and at-ease every step of the way.
We educate you before takeoff.
We’ll spend the first 15-20 minutes talking through a preflight briefing and answering any questions before we get into the plane. You’ll receive a professional rundown on everything that will happen, how the doors and seatbelts work, and how to remain safe for the entire flight.
You’ll be in a Cessna 172.
Our fleet of single-engine propeller-driven aircraft are extremely safe and reliable. You’ll be sitting side-by-side with the instructor. If you have a ride-along (like a parent or a partner) they will be sitting in the back seat.
If you’re a little uneasy about taking your first flight in a real plane, you can opt for the Redbird Simulator instead. It’s a full-motion, wrap-around display that lets you experience flight without leaving the ground. That way you’ll be able to learn some of the basic controls before going up (although our instructors ensure you’ll be safe and comfortable no matter what you choose).
You’ll be encouraged to participate.
The best way to learn is to be hands-on. After getting to a safe altitude, your instructor will coach you through basic maneuvers like turns, climbs and descents. You’ll get to have the actual experience of controlling the aircraft. If this makes you uncomfortable at any point, let your instructor know.
Your first flight might not be the smoothest.
Our instructors are trained to avoid turbulence and choppy weather. However, sometimes a sudden gust of wind can cause a bit of bumpiness. A small amount of turbulence is normal for a light aircraft, and your instructor will keep you completely safe.
On your first flight, it’s not uncommon to experience airsickness. The combination of nerves and excitement (combined with the new physical sensation of flying) may upset your stomach. Tell your pilot if you start to feel unwell; they will remind you of where the airsickness bags are and get you to the ground quickly.
You’ll wear a headset.
The cockpit can be noisy, making it difficult to hear your instructor or passengers. That’s why we wear headsets. You’ll talk into the microphone so that your instructor can hear you in their headset, and vice-versa. Your pilot will also use the headset to talk to air traffic control or other pilots.
We’ll answer questions about next steps.
If you’re interested in becoming a professional airline pilot, our instructors will be happy to tell you about requirements, salaries, processes, etc. If you’re interested in flying recreationally, we will explain the process and timeline of getting a private pilot’s license. That way, you’ll know what your next steps are if you want to do more flying.
We hope you’re looking forward to your first flight!