Discovery Flight

Experience the thrill of Flying an Airplane — no experience needed!
Starting at only $199 - Book Now

A discovery flight is the perfect way to experience flying before starting formal training. If you are looking for an introductory flight or first flight lesson in Van Nuys, this hands-on lesson lets you meet an instructor, get in the cockpit, and see what pilot training is really like.

Your Discovery Flight Lesson

  • What is included in a discovery flight?
    This is a real world flight lesson with a pre and post flight briefing and flight in the actual aircraft.
  • Is a discovery flight the same as a first flight lesson?
    There is no experience or preparation required for a discovery flight. A first flight lesson will cover material you studied in advance.
  • How long does an introductory flight last?
    The typical discovery flight lasts about one hour, quite ideal to get a first impresson.
  • Can the flight count toward pilot training?
    Yes definitely! This first hour counts towards your pilot certificates and never expires!
  • What should I bring to my discovery flight?
    Your id and your logbook if you have one, but a logbook is included in the price of the discovery flight!
Book Your Flight
Discovery Flight Gift Certificate
*The appointment with your FAA certificated instructor includes aircraft flying time (various options available)

Get started with our discovery flight lesson and continue to get your pilot certificates

Take the first step towards your flying career with our exciting Discovery Flight Lesson!

Let Them Soar - Gift Certificate

Gift the Discovery of Flight Today!

Our Discovery Flight Lesson Gift Certificates make the perfect present for aspiring pilots. Give someone the chance to soar through the skies and experience the thrill of flying. The start of a rewarding career path!

100% Safety Rating

You are flying with the Best
FAA Certified, 28+ years experience Teaching.

Starts at Only $199

An unforgettable experience awaits your loved ones, at a great price!

Discovery Flight Q&A

Discover the excitement of flying with our introductory Discovery Flight Lessons tailored for you.

Does the discovery flight count towards my pilot hours?

Your flight instructor will give you a starter pilot logbook free of charge. The instructor pilot will log this flight and sign the entry including a FAA certificate number which is required to log this flight towards your experience requirements.

What can do to prepare for the Discovery Flight?

It is really optional to prepare for the flight. No prior experience is required. We provide a free pamphlet with flight training information if you should want to study ahead. Please inquire, it’s free!

Will I get to actually control the aircraft during the flight lesson?

Yes! The goal is to have you control the aircraft at least about 80 percent of the flight duration. The flight instructor will help you with the take off and the landing but you should expect to pretty much do all the flying once airborne!

Can I take pictures during the discovery flight?

Most definitely! You can take pictures while airborne, just coordinate with the flight instructor. Selfies? Sure! Picture of the airplane? Sure!

Can I sign up for the flight training if I like it?

You can sign up with us anytime! Flight training is paid as you go, there is no need for advance payments. Once you have established a set schedule we will help you make a plan to complete the training efficiently.

Is this a real flight lesson?

Yes, and it counts! We Will provide you with a real pilot logbook to track your flight hours.

Do I need TSA authorization?

No! In case you are not a US citizen, the US government agency TSA allows us to fly one flight lesson with you without additional processing. You will need the TSA authorization for the second lesson, it’s easy to get, so no worries!

Which time of day is best?

Any time during daylight hours, any day, weekends, holidays. We are very flexible and you can arrange a discovery flight to suit your requirements.

What our students say

Read genuine testimonials from our students, sharing their experiences and achievements with California Flight School.

"For my first time flying, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience... fantastic instructor, explaining everything throughout with the right amount…"

Julian Vasquez
Aspiring Pilot

Explore our complete range of Flight School Courses

Explore our flight training programs, from Commercial Aviation courses to Instrument Ratings, or even start with a Discovery Flight.

FAQs

Discovery Flight Additional Information

What are ways to prepare for the discovery flight?

We provide a free learn-to-fly pamphlet in PDF format to help you with this. You can also download the free FAA Handbook of Flying and read the first three chapters.

What do I wear to my discovery flight?

Comfortable clothing is best, jeans and sturdy shoes. During the summer a light t-shirt will work fine.

What about the preflight preparations for the discovery flight?

Your flight instructor will have already inspected the aircraft, the documentation and the fuel on board. You will be shown a quick version of the flight preparation but reset assured, your instructor already has done this in depth before you arrived.

What kind of weather would be ideal for a discovery flight?

We try to avoid marginal days or adverse conditions such as fog, low visibility, low clouds, strong winds etc. Once you sign up for actual flight training you will be taught how your professional instructor procures the weather information and how decisions are made and what they are based on.

What time of day is best for a discovery flight?

Since night flight is a little more challengin for beginners we try to stay away from flying after sunset during a discovery flight. Early morning are nice but late afternoons close to sunset can be very inspiring too.

How to pilot logbooks work for discovery flights?

You will receive a starter logbook from your flight instructor during your discovery flight. This entry is certified with the instructor's signature and the hour is legal to count towards the flight experience requirements of any pilot certificate.Currently airline pilot applicants in the USA require proof of 1500 flight hours, and this first hour, yes, counts!

How do I sign up after the discvoery flight?

After we go through the requsite collection of documentation and signing of various applications, you are up and running! Other than the mandatory TSA citizenship verification, there are actually no other requirements to start but it is of course best to go through all the paperwork first.

How do I start studying for the flight training?

Our online video training package includes the online ground school and online test prep software. This self paced online program is all you need to get your flight training studying started.

Still have questions?

We would be delighted to answer them!