Discovery Flights Over Los Angeles
Fly over Los Angeles — you take the controls, an FAA-certified instructor at your side. Briefing, takeoff, and the moment you'll never forget: "Your controls."
Your Flight Pays for Itself
Enroll within 24 hours of your flight and 100% of its cost is credited toward your training — your first lesson is effectively free.
Choose Your First Flight. You Take the Controls.
Four hands-on Discovery Flights, one promise: you fly the airplane — with an FAA-certified instructor beside you and Los Angeles below you. Rated ★★★★★ by 500+ flyers.
Discovery Flight for One
Your first step into the world of flight — and it's all yours. Briefing, takeoff, and the moment your instructor says: "Your controls."
- ✓Hands-on stick time
- ✓Pre-flight briefing & safety overview
- ✓Soar over the LA skyline
- ✓1-on-1 FAA-certified instructor
- ✓Modern, meticulously maintained aircraft
- ✓Your flight time logs toward your license
Discovery Flight for Two
Share the adventure: one of you flies hands-on while the other soaks in the views — then you both land with the same story to tell forever.
- ✓Hands-on flying for one — epic views for both
- ✓Hollywood Sign & downtown skyline flyover
- ✓The most-gifted experience we offer
- ✓FAA-certified instructor
- ✓Stable, comfortable Piper Warrior
- ✓Two guests · one logbook moment
Luxury Discovery Flight for Two — Turbo Cirrus
The flight people plan anniversaries around — our premium Turbo Cirrus SR22, extended air time, and a view of LA most people only see in movies.
- ✓Hands-on control of a Turbo Cirrus SR22
- ✓Premium glass cockpit
- ✓Real flight skills, taught as you fly
- ✓Extended flight time over LA
- ✓FAA-certified instructor
- ✓Built for anniversaries, birthdays & bucket lists
Multi-Engine Discovery Flight for Two
Two engines, real procedures, a genuine taste of the professional path — in our twin-engine Piper Seminole over the LA basin.
- ✓Hands-on multi-engine flying
- ✓Learn real multi-engine fundamentals
- ✓LA from a perspective most flyers never see
- ✓FAA-certified instructor supervision
- ✓Ideal for career-curious & seasoned flyers
- ✓Two guests · the serious next-level preview
Give the Gift of Flight 🎁
Buy a gift certificate — a code is emailed instantly to you or the recipient. They redeem it by contacting us to book their flight. Pick the flight and the length below.
Discovery Flight for One — Gift Card
A hands-on first flight over LA, gift-wrapped. They take the controls with an FAA-certified instructor.
Discovery Flight for Two — Gift Card
The most-gifted experience we offer — one flies hands-on, both share the skyline and the story.
Luxury Turbo Cirrus — Gift Card
The anniversary-and-bucket-list flight in our premium Cirrus SR22 glass cockpit. Extended air time over LA.
Multi-Engine Flight — Gift Card
A genuine taste of the professional path in our twin-engine Piper Seminole over the LA basin.
This Isn't a Tour. It's Your First Lesson.
From the ramp to your first logbook entry — here's exactly how your Discovery Flight unfolds.
Pre-flight briefing
Meet your FAA-certified instructor, walk the aircraft, and learn how the airplane flies before you climb in.
Taxi & takeoff
Roll out to the runway at Van Nuys, line up, and feel the airplane come alive as you lift off over LA.
You take the controls
Hands-on. Your instructor says "your controls," and you're actually flying the airplane — turns, climbs, the works.
Los Angeles, from the left seat
The Hollywood Sign, the coastline, downtown — the whole city laid out beneath your wings.
Your first logbook entry
Land, debrief, and log the flight time — it counts toward your license the day you decide to keep going.
Hands-On Discovery Flight Over Los Angeles – Experience the Thrill of Flight
Have you ever dreamed of soaring above the city, taking in breathtaking views of Los Angeles from thousands of feet in the air? At Los Angeles Flight School, we make that dream a reality with our hands-on Discovery Flights over Los Angeles, departing from Van Nuys Airport (KVNY). Whether you're an aspiring pilot or simply looking for an unforgettable adventure, our Discovery Flight lets you take the controls and truly feel what it's like to fly.
We've safely completed over 2,000 discovery flights and earned hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google and Yelp — because every flight is led by a friendly, FAA-certified instructor who puts your safety and your smile first.
What Is a Discovery Flight?
A Discovery Flight is an introductory flying experience designed for anyone curious about aviation. Unlike a passive sightseeing tour, you'll sit in the pilot's seat, learn the fundamentals, and actually fly the airplane yourself under the guidance of a certified flight instructor. It's the perfect first step toward becoming a pilot — and an incredible bucket-list experience even if you never fly again. Best of all, your flight time is loggable and counts toward your pilot's license.
Why Choose a Discovery Flight Over Los Angeles?
There's no better backdrop for your first flight than the skies above Southern California. From the air, you'll take in unforgettable views of the Hollywood Sign, the Santa Monica Pier, the sweeping Malibu coastline, and the glittering downtown LA skyline — landmarks most people only ever see from the ground.
- ✓The iconic Hollywood Sign tucked into the hills
- ✓The Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific shoreline
- ✓The stunning Malibu coastline
- ✓The downtown LA skyline glowing beneath you
Safety First, Always
Your safety is our highest priority. Every Discovery Flight is conducted with an experienced, FAA-certified flight instructor aboard, in modern, meticulously maintained aircraft. Before you ever leave the ground, your instructor walks you through a thorough pre-flight briefing and safety overview, so you'll feel confident and comfortable from taxi to touchdown.
What to Expect During Your Discovery Flight
From the moment you arrive to the moment you land, here's how your experience unfolds:
- ✓Warm Welcome — meet your instructor and get settled in.
- ✓Pre-Flight Briefing — learn how the aircraft works and what to expect.
- ✓Take to the Skies — taxi out and lift off over Los Angeles.
- ✓Hands-On Flight — take the controls and actually fly the airplane.
- ✓Unforgettable Memories — land with a story you'll tell forever.
Who Can Take a Discovery Flight?
Almost anyone! Our Discovery Flights are perfect for aspiring pilots, aviation enthusiasts, birthday and anniversary celebrations, and anyone chasing a once-in-a-lifetime experience. No prior flying experience is required — just bring your sense of adventure. It's also one of the most memorable gifts you can give, from teenagers to grandparents. If you can dream it, you can fly it.
Los Angeles from the left seat
Hollywood Sign
Bank over the hills and see the world's most famous sign the way only pilots do.
Santa Monica Pier
Trace the Pacific shoreline past the pier and the wide sweep of the coast.
Malibu Coastline
Miles of surf, cliffs and beaches unfolding beneath your wings.
Downtown LA Skyline
The towers of downtown glinting against the LA basin, all yours from the air.
You fly the airplane — not just ride in it
This is what makes a Discovery Flight different. After a friendly pre-flight briefing, you'll climb into the pilot's seat, and once you're safely airborne your instructor hands you the controls. You'll make turns, climbs and descents yourself — genuinely flying the airplane over Los Angeles.
- ✓Real stick-and-rudder time, guided every second
- ✓1-on-1 with an FAA-certified instructor
- ✓No experience required — anyone can fly
- ✓Loggable time that counts toward your license
Make it a moment — the Luxury Turbo Cirrus
For anniversaries, milestone birthdays and bucket-list moments, step up to our premium Turbo Cirrus SR22 with its stunning glass cockpit and extended air time. It's the flight people plan special occasions around — and the view of LA is straight out of a movie.
- ✓Premium Cirrus SR22 with glass cockpit
- ✓Extended flight time over the LA basin
- ✓Hands-on control, real skills as you fly
- ✓Built for anniversaries & celebrations
A genuine taste of the professional path
Curious about a flying career, or already a pilot chasing the next challenge? The Multi-Engine Discovery Flight puts you in our twin-engine Piper Seminole for a hands-on look at real multi-engine procedures over Los Angeles — a perspective most flyers never get.
- ✓Fly a twin-engine Piper Seminole
- ✓Learn real multi-engine fundamentals
- ✓Ideal for career-curious & seasoned flyers
- ✓Two guests · the serious next-level preview
Everything you need before you book
Loved On Google & Yelp
Discovery Flight FAQ
A Discovery Flight is a hands-on introductory flying experience over Los Angeles. You'll meet your FAA-certified instructor for a pre-flight briefing, taxi out and take off from Van Nuys Airport, then actually take the controls and fly the airplane yourself while your instructor guides you. You'll see the Hollywood Sign, the coastline and the downtown skyline from the pilot's seat, and land with your flight time logged. The whole experience runs about 60–120 minutes door to door.
Absolutely. Safety is our highest priority. Every flight is conducted by an experienced FAA-certified flight instructor in modern, meticulously maintained aircraft, and begins with a thorough pre-flight briefing and safety overview. We've safely completed over 2,000 discovery flights, and your instructor is in control of the aircraft at all times — you fly hands-on with their guidance and supervision throughout.
Booking is easy — just choose your flight above (For One, For Two, Luxury Turbo Cirrus, or Multi-Engine) and pick a date and time right on our online scheduler. You can also call us at (818) 290-8249 and we'll set everything up for you. We're open 9 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week.
None at all. Discovery Flights are designed for complete beginners. Your instructor teaches you everything you need to know before and during the flight, and takes the controls whenever needed. All you need to bring is your sense of adventure.
Yes! Our Discovery Flight for Two, Luxury Turbo Cirrus and Multi-Engine flights are built for exactly this — one of you flies hands-on while the other enjoys the views, and you both share the experience. It's the reason these are our most-gifted flights for couples, friends and family.
Your safety and experience come first, so if the weather isn't suitable for flying we'll simply reschedule you at no charge for the next available day that works for you. Southern California enjoys excellent flying weather most of the year, so weather cancellations are rare.
We ask for at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule your flight. With 48 hours' notice you can move your booking to another available date at no charge. If you need to make a change, just call us at (818) 290-8249 and we'll help you find a new time.
Aspiring pilots taking their first step, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone celebrating a birthday, anniversary or bucket-list moment. No experience is required, and it makes an unforgettable gift for teenagers through grandparents. If flying over Los Angeles sounds like a dream, this is for you.
Because you actually fly the airplane — hands-on, every flight. We're based at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), have safely flown over 2,000 discovery flights, and hold a 5.0 rating on Google and 4.9 on Yelp across 500+ reviews. Our FAA-certified instructors bring 15+ years of experience, our aircraft are modern and meticulously maintained, and if you decide to continue your training we credit 100% of your flight cost when you enroll within 24 hours.
Just bring a valid photo ID and comfortable, casual clothing — dress for the weather, and sunglasses are a great idea for the bright LA skies. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Everything else, including headsets and the aircraft, is provided. Arrive a few minutes early so you have time to meet your instructor before the briefing.
Have questions before you fly?
Stop by Van Nuys Airport and talk to a real instructor — no pressure, no obligation. We'll walk you through the flights, the aircraft, and how a Discovery Flight can become your first step toward a pilot's license.
7900 Balboa Blvd, Suite 108A
Take the controls over Los Angeles
Book your hands-on Discovery Flight today — from $229, all-in. Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Open 7 days, 9 AM–9 PM.