October 19, 2026
What to Expect on Your First Discovery Flight in Los Angeles
A step-by-step look at a discovery flight from Van Nuys: what to bring, what happens in the airplane, and what it costs. No experience needed.
Maybe you've wondered what it's like to fly a plane since you were a kid. Maybe your teenager can't stop talking about becoming a pilot. Or maybe someone handed you a gift certificate and you're excited and a little terrified at the same time.
Whatever brought you here, a discovery flight is the easiest way to find out what flying feels like, with no pressure and no experience needed. This guide walks you through the whole thing, step by step, so you know what to expect before you get to the airport.
What is a discovery flight?
A discovery flight (also called an intro flight or introductory lesson) is a short, real flight lesson with an FAA-certificated flight instructor (CFI). You sit in the pilot's seat. Your instructor sits right next to you with a full set of controls, and they're the pilot in command the whole time.
It isn't a sightseeing ride where you just watch. With your instructor guiding you, you'll get hands-on time at the controls once you're airborne. You can fly as much as you like; on your first flight, your instructor handles the takeoff and landing. At Fly LA Experience, discovery flights depart Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in the San Fernando Valley, in a Cessna 172 or a Piper Archer. Discovery flights are a 1 hour experience.
Do I need any experience, a license, or a medical exam?
No, no, and no. It's one of the most common questions first-timers ask, and the answer surprises a lot of people.
- No experience. Most people on a discovery flight have never touched airplane controls before. That's the whole point.
- No pilot certificate. You don't need a student pilot certificate to take a lesson with an instructor. The FAA only requires one before you fly solo.
- No medical certificate. Because your instructor is the pilot in command, you don't need an FAA medical certificate for a discovery flight. You'd only need one later, before your first solo, if you decide to keep training.
Before you fly: booking and getting ready
Booking is simple: pick your experience, a preferred date and time, and the landmarks you want to see on the booking page, and confirmation comes by email, usually within 4 hours. Sending a request doesn't charge you. Prefer to talk? Call (818) 683-3404. Discovery flights are a 1 hour experience and start at $230. An extra passenger costs $50 extra, and you can add a photo and video package for $50.
Flight time is typically 30 to 45 minutes, depending on winds, air traffic conditions, and taxi out/in times.
What to wear and bring
- Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Think casual, like a day out.
- Sunglasses. The LA sun is bright up there. Non-polarized lenses are often recommended because polarized ones can make some cockpit screens hard to read.
- A photo ID. If you want to log the flight, also bring a logbook and proof of U.S. citizenship (a birth certificate or passport). Non-U.S. citizens bring a passport and may need to complete TSA flight-training security steps.
- A light snack and water. Eat a normal, light meal beforehand. An empty stomach or a huge meal can both make you feel queasy.
The flight-day page has the short version of what to wear and what happens after you arrive.
Be honest about your weight
Small airplanes have strict weight and balance limits, so your instructor needs real numbers for everyone on board to plan a safe flight. It's a normal, private part of preflight planning, never a judgment. Limits depend on the aircraft, so you'll be asked for an approximate total weight when you book, and it's kept confidential.
Weather happens
Flight lessons like this one are flown in good visibility, so weather matters. Southern California is famous for sunshine, but morning marine layer, low clouds, or strong winds can sometimes delay or reschedule a flight. If that happens, it's your instructor putting safety first, and it's a good sign. Flights canceled for bad weather are at no charge (full refund), decided the morning of the flight. Read more about how those calls get made on our safety page.
Your discovery flight, step by step
1. Arrival and welcome
Please arrive no more than 10 minutes early, and no later than 10 minutes after your booked time. We run back-to-back flights all day, so that window keeps the day on schedule. You'll get exact meeting instructions at Van Nuys with your confirmation. You'll meet your instructor, sign a few forms, and have a chance to ask anything on your mind.
2. A quick ground briefing
Before you go near the airplane, your instructor will walk you through the plan: where you'll fly, what you'll see, and how the controls work. You'll learn the basics:
- The yoke or stick tips the nose up and down and banks the wings left and right.
- The rudder pedals keep the airplane's nose lined up and coordinated in turns.
- The throttle controls engine power.
You'll also learn a simple, important habit pilots use: the positive exchange of controls. When your instructor hands you the airplane they'll say "You have the flight controls," you'll say "I have the flight controls," and they'll confirm. Everyone always knows who's flying.
3. The preflight walkaround
Next, you'll walk around the airplane together while your instructor checks it over: fuel, oil, tires, control surfaces, lights.
4. Headsets on, taxi, and takeoff
Once you're buckled in, you'll put on a headset. Small airplanes are loud, and headsets let you talk easily with your instructor and listen in on air traffic control.
Your instructor will talk you through taxiing to the runway and the departure from Van Nuys. Guests don't help with the takeoff unless it's their third flight with Fly LA. The moment the wheels leave the ground is the part most people remember.
5. Taking the controls
Once you're airborne, you can fly as much as you like, with your instructor guiding you. You'll try gentle turns, climbs, and descents, and you'll feel how responsive the airplane is.
Your instructor has their own set of controls and is ready to help at any moment.
6. Seeing Los Angeles from above
Flying over LA is something special. Depending on your route and the day's conditions, you might see the Hollywood Sign, the Downtown LA skyline, Dodger Stadium, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, or the Malibu coastline. You can tell us which landmark you most want to see when you book. See the full list of scenic tour routes. LA has some of the busiest airspace in the country, so you'll also get a taste of how pilots work with air traffic control and share the sky safely.
7. Landing and your first logbook entry
Your instructor brings the airplane back to Van Nuys. On your first flight, your instructor handles the takeoff and landing. Back on the ground, you'll debrief: what you did well, what surprised you, and what training would look like if you want to keep going.
And here's a fun bonus: your instructor can log the flight as real instruction. Bring a logbook or buy one (ask when you book), along with proof of citizenship (see what to bring above).
Feeling nervous? That's completely normal
Lots of first-timers feel butterflies, and plenty of them are the ones who end up loving it most. A few things that help:
- Talk to your instructor. Tell them you're nervous. They can go gently, explain every sound, and keep turns smooth.
- Look outside. Keeping your eyes on the horizon helps your body stay comfortable and helps keep queasiness away.
- Small bumps are normal. Light turbulence feels like a car on a slightly bumpy road. It's just air moving.
- You're in charge of the pace. Want more time on the controls, or a little less? Just enjoy the view? Say so.
A note for parents booking for teens
Discovery flights are a wonderful way for a curious teen to find out if aviation is really their thing before you invest in training.
- The minimum age is 12. Guests under 18 need a parent or guardian's signature and consent.
- Students must be 16 to fly solo and 17 to earn a private pilot certificate (airplanes).
- Most flights take one guest plus the instructor. The Cessna 172 and Piper Archer can sometimes take an additional passenger depending on weight and conditions, so a parent may be able to ride along. An extra passenger costs $50 extra.
Questions about what training looks like after a first flight? Contact us.
Does a discovery flight count toward a pilot license?
Yes. Flight time with an authorized instructor can be logged as training time, and it counts toward a private pilot certificate. Under the FAA's Part 61 rules, the minimum is 40 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours solo. Most people take more than the minimum (the FAA notes the U.S. average is around 75 hours), but your discovery flight is a real first step.
Discovery flight FAQ
Do I need any experience to take a discovery flight?
No. Discovery flights are designed for people who have never flown. Your instructor teaches you everything you need in the air.
Do I need a medical certificate or pilot license?
No. Your instructor is the pilot in command, so you don't need an FAA medical certificate or a student pilot certificate for a discovery flight. You'll need both before your first solo if you continue training.
Will I actually fly the plane?
Yes. With your instructor beside you on a second set of controls, you can fly as much as you like once you're airborne. Guests don't help with the takeoff unless it's their third flight with Fly LA. On your first flight, your instructor handles the takeoff and landing.
How long is a discovery flight at Fly LA?
A discovery flight is a 1 hour experience. Please arrive no more than 10 minutes early, and no later than 10 minutes after your booked time. We run back-to-back flights all day, so that window keeps the day on schedule.
How much does a discovery flight cost?
Discovery flights start at $230. That includes a preflight briefing and walkaround, hands-on flying with dual controls, and a route over the landmarks you choose. An extra passenger costs $50 extra. A photo and video package is $50 extra.
Is there a minimum age?
The minimum age is 12. Guests under 18 need a parent or guardian's signature and consent. Students must be 16 to fly solo and 17 to earn a private pilot certificate.
Can a friend or family member come along?
Most flights take one guest plus the instructor. The Cessna 172 and Piper Archer can sometimes take an additional passenger depending on weight and conditions. An extra passenger costs $50 extra. Groups can book back-to-back flights.
What if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. Flights canceled for bad weather are at no charge (full refund), decided the morning of the flight.
Does the flight count toward a pilot license?
Yes. Time with an authorized flight instructor can be logged as training time toward an FAA private pilot certificate.
Can I give a discovery flight as a gift?
Yes. Choose your experience on the booking form and check “This is a gift,” or call (818) 683-3404. Gift cards must be redeemed within 16 months.
Ready to take the controls?
Your first flight is closer than you think. No experience, no license, no pressure. Just you, an instructor, and Los Angeles spread out below you.
Have questions first? Contact us or call (818) 683-3404. And if you know someone who's always dreamed of flying, a discovery flight makes an unforgettable gift. Gift cards must be redeemed within 16 months. Gift a flight.