Vintage Piper Cub Doors-Off Flight
Fly the LA coast with the door open in a restored 1940 Piper J-3 Cub.
The Experience
Some flights are about speed. This one is about feel. You fly in our fully restored 1940 Piper J-3 Cub, the yellow tailwheel classic that taught a generation of pilots to fly, with the door removed and nothing between you and the Pacific air. A Certified Flight Instructor flies with you on a private, low-and-slow tour of the coastline. It's just you, your instructor and the view, and no aviation experience is needed.
Your hour begins in the hangar at Van Nuys Airport. Before you board, your instructor introduces you to the Cub and explains how its simple controls work. The Cub seats two people one behind the other, so there's room for exactly one guest in addition to your pilot. That makes every flight completely private.
Once you're settled and the engine is turning, the Cub climbs gently over the San Fernando Valley. With the door off, the wind rushes past and the landscape is right there beside you, not framed by a window. The airplane's unhurried pace and wide-open visibility are exactly why photographers love it. You have time to take in the view and line up the shot.
From the Valley, the route crosses toward the ocean with the Santa Monica Mountains spread out below. You'll follow the shoreline past the Santa Monica Pier and the Venice Beach boardwalk, with the Malibu coastline added when weather and airspace allow, and wide views back across the Los Angeles Basin. It's Southern California the way early aviators saw it.
The J-3 Cub first flew in the late 1930s and became the airplane America learned to fly in during the WWII era. Flying one today, with the door open and the engine humming, is a direct link to aviation's golden age. It's a favorite for aviation fans, history buffs and photographers.
What's included
- Introduction to the 1940 Piper J-3 Cub and its flight controls
- Private doors-off flight with a Certified Flight Instructor
- Coastal route: Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and the Pacific shoreline (Malibu when weather and airspace permit)
- About 1 hour total, including the briefing and flight time
- Optional photo & video package
Before you book
- One guest only. Because of the aircraft's vintage design and weight limits, no additional passengers can be accommodated.
- Maximum guest weight is 190 lbs.
- No aviation experience required.
- Dress for the weather and bring a light jacket, because it's breezy with the door open. Sunglasses and closed-toe shoes are recommended.
- Cameras and phones are welcome but must be secured with a wrist or neck strap.
Questions about this flight
Can I bring a friend along?
Not on the same flight. The Cub carries one guest plus the pilot, so friends or family can book back-to-back flights or choose our Cessna 172 or Piper Archer, which can take an extra passenger.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes. The maximum guest weight for the Cub is 190 lbs.
Is it cold with the door off?
It can be breezy, especially near the coast. Wear layers, bring a light jacket if the day is cool and keep sunglasses handy.
Can I take photos?
Yes. Keep your camera or phone on a wrist or neck strap, or add our photo & video package.
What if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. If weather doesn't allow us to fly, you get a full refund or can reschedule.
Aircraft
- Piper J-3 Cub — Vintage doors-off, open-air joy.