What a discovery flight costs
A discovery flight costs a median of $189 at the 462 US flight schools that publish a price, and published prices run $49 to $599.A discovery flight is a first lesson with a flight instructor, usually the step before anyone commits to training. Every price below is the school's own figure, with its source and the date it was checked.
- Median price
- $189
- Schools
- 462
- Range
- $49 to $599
Updated November 3, 2026
Alabama 4
Birmingham Flight Center · Birmingham
$200
$230
Cofield Aviation · Gadsden
$160
East Aviation · Muscle Shoals
In a Cessna 152 at Corinth, MS and Savannah, TN, for flyers of 170 lb or less. $225 for 30 minutes at Guntersville and Cullman.
$99
Alaska 3
$199
Missionary Aviation Repair Center · Soldotna
An hour of flight and an hour of ground.
$170
$250
Arizona 9
Arizona discovery flights →$199
Fly Eagle Sport · Glendale
$160
Fly Glendale · Glendale
$150
$100
$199
Desert Wings Flight School · Mesa
Half an hour of flight in a Piper Archer II, about an hour in total.
$280
$199
$299
Scottsdale Executive Flight Training · Scottsdale
One hour of aircraft time in a Cessna 152, all-inclusive. $229 in a Cessna 172K/N, $249 in a 172S G1000, $399 in a Cirrus SR20 G3 and $429 in an SR20 G6. For prospective students.
$199
Arkansas 2
$175
First Team Pilot Training · West Memphis
30 minutes. An hour is $200.
$150
California 52
California discovery flights →Mach 5 Aviation · Auburn
About 45 minutes of flight instruction and 15 minutes on the ground.
$195
$160
Bakersfield Flying Club · Bakersfield
25 to 30 minutes of flight time with a CFI. The visit takes about two hours in total, including the classroom briefing and the preflight.
$150
Bermuda Dunes Flight Training · Bermuda Dunes
$250
Camarillo Flight Instruction · Camarillo
An hour with an instructor, up to 30 minutes of it flying. $219 and $259 options include up to 60 minutes of flight time.
$179
Channel Islands Aviation, Inc · Camarillo
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$219
$275
$150
Northgate Aviation · Chico
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$250
Adventure Air · Chino
In a gyroplane. The school does not say how long the standard flight is. A 90-minute extended flight is $425.
$315
SoCal Aviation, Inc. · Chino
About thirty minutes to Lake Matthews, with fifteen minutes of ground. Dana Point is $250 for about an hour and Catalina $375.
$175
TrexAir Aviation Academy · Concord
Typically an hour of flying in the two-seat RV-12, with an hour of ground instruction and a logbook.
$310
$245
Golden State Flying Club · El Cajon
A package of two one-hour introductory lessons on separate days, 3 hours of preflight instruction, a logbook and a training handbook.
$199.95
$259
Fallbrook Flight Academy · Fallbrook
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$200
American Helicopters · Fresno
Forty-five minutes in an airplane, followed by a consultation with an instructor.
$160
JB Aeronautics · Fresno
30 minutes, for a student under 220 lbs. $129 for 30 minutes over 220 lbs, and $149 or $179 for 45 minutes.
$99
California Airways · Hayward
The school does not say how long the flight is. An after-hours introductory flight is $400.
$300
Hayward Flight · Hayward
A one-hour lesson with a 30-minute flight. A two-hour discovery flight with a ground lesson and simulator time is $310.
$260
$199
NorCal Flight Center · Lincoln
$249
Aces High Aviation · Long Beach
An hour in a Cessna 152. $270 to $280 in a Cessna 172, with one passenger included.
$230
Airborrn Aviation Services · Mariposa
60 minutes of flight and 60 minutes of ground in a Cessna 172 at Mariposa. The school marks the price with an asterisk.
$300
Oakland Flyers LLC · Oakland
In a two-seat Cessna 150 or 152. $279 in a four-seat Cessna 172 or Piper PA-28, which can take two or three people.
$199
Vista Air Inc. · Pacoima
$99
Advantage Aviation · Palo Alto
Two hours of instruction, one of them in the air. The price applies to a first visit; the school values the package at $450.
$399
$399
$98
Executive Flyers, Inc. · Sacramento
Credited to your account if you start training.
$225
Fly Bay Area · San Carlos
One hour, in a Cessna 172SP with a G1000, about 20 minutes of it on the ground. A two-hour deluxe lesson is $599.
$349
San Carlos Flight Center · San Carlos
Around an hour in the air and half an hour on the ground.
$400
Fly San Diego · San Diego
A special introductory rate. A passenger can ride along at no extra charge.
$240
Learn To Fly San Diego · San Diego
A website special for the first introductory lesson.
$279
AeroDynamic Aviation · San Jose
A two-hour lesson in a Citabria, a tailwheel aircraft. A two-hour lesson in a Cessna starts at $209.
$199
$189
$185
Santa Monica Flyers · Santa Monica
In the electric Pipistrel Velis, up to 45 minutes, or the SportCruiser. A premium intro flight is $299 and a Cirrus SR20 intro flight is $449.
$199
$199
$250
$199
$259.99
SkyView Aviation, LLC · Tracy
Their demo flight, booked by phone.
$199
CableAir School of Flight · Upland
One hour, with a brief ground school and a logbook.
$205
$249
$199.99
$200
Corsair Aviation · Van Nuys
In a Cessna 162, with about 45 minutes of flight and 45 minutes of ground. $255 in a Cessna 172S.
$205
Flying Academy Van Nuys · Van Nuys
In a Cessna 152. $245 in a Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior II.
$235
Mach 1 Aviation · Van Nuys
Includes a preflight briefing.
$449
Vertical Aviation · Van Nuys
$250
Specialized Aviation · Watsonville
An airplane lesson. Helicopter discovery lessons are priced separately.
$165
Colorado 10
Colorado discovery flights →Independence Aviation · Centennial & Broomfield
One Hobbs hour in a Cirrus SR20.
$399
$269
Springs Aviation · Colorado Springs
50 to 60 minutes. The advanced discovery flight is $270.
$203
$229
Centennial Flyers · Englewood
One hour in a Cessna 172. $249 in a 182, $269 in a DA40, $398 in a Cirrus SR20 and $499 in an SR22T. A 30-minute Robinson R44 helicopter flight is $349.
$199
RockStreet Aviation · Englewood
One hour at the controls over Denver, logged as a first lesson.
$160
Summit Flight Training · Greeley
30 minutes of flight. A longer experience with 1.5 hours of ground school and an hour of flight is $285.
$200
Alpine Flight Training · Gypsum
A two-hour lesson with about 40 minutes in the air.
$295.59
Leading Edge Flight Training · Loveland
$150
$199
Connecticut 2
Darcy Aviation · Danbury
$279
Premier Flight Center · Hartford
$195
Delaware 1
$120
Florida 43
Florida discovery flights →$100
Orlandi Flight Center · Bartow
30 minutes in a Piper J3 Cub. 30 minutes in a Cessna 172 is $135, and an hour is $225 in the Cub or $265 in the 172.
$115
American Aviation Flight Academy · Brooksville
30 minutes.
$129.99
Sentinel Services Group · Brooksville
About 30 minutes in a Cessna 152, with about 30 minutes of briefing.
$99
Clearwater Aviation · Clearwater
One hour in a Socata TB9 or TB10.
$250
Tampa Bay Aviation · Clearwater
In a Cessna 172. Helicopter introductory flights are $174 in a Robinson R22 and $310 in an R44.
$144
EB Flight Training · Daytona Beach
About 30 minutes in the air.
$249.99
Destin Flight Works · Destin
The introductory flight. The one-hour discovery flight is $199. Each extra passenger is $75.
$149
ATA Flight School · Fort Lauderdale
30 minutes, from North Perry Airport.
$99
$195
TakeFlight Professional Flight Training · Fort Lauderdale
About 30 minutes.
$99
Yoanna Flight School · Fort Myers
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$280
Airlink Flight School · Grant-Valkaria
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$99.99
$129
Holladay Aviation · Jacksonville
About an hour in the air. Up to two observers ride along at no charge, weight permitting.
$249
A-Cent Aviation · Jacksonville & Fernandina Beach
A 30-minute ground lesson and a 30-minute flight. A longer option is $199. An extra passenger is $25.
$99
Aero Global Aviation Academy · Kissimmee
About 30 minutes at the controls with a briefing. An hour-long lesson is $295, and a 90-minute version $494.
$225
Legends Aviation Academy · Lakeland
In a two-seat trainer, 45 to 60 minutes of ground and flight time. $119 in a four-seat.
$99
Aviator Training Center · Lantana
The school does not say how long the flight is. $240 with one passenger along.
$210
$100
Florida Keys Flight Academy · Marathon
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$298
Legacy Aviation · Margate
The school does not say how long the flight is. Video of the flight is $25 extra.
$175
Flying Academy Miami · Miami
60 minutes in a Cessna 152. $359 in a Cessna 172 and $499 in a Piper Seminole.
$289
Orlando Flight School · Orlando
60 minutes in a Cessna 150, for one person up to 190 lbs.
$199.99
$175
$299
$230
Dynasty Aviation · Pembroke Pines
$180
Flight Center International Academy · Pembroke Pines
50 minutes in a Cessna 172. Listed as a sale price, down from $220.
$185
SkyWarrior, Inc. · Pensacola
An hour in total, about 15 minutes of briefing and 45 minutes flying.
$150
Dare to Dream Aviation · Pompano Beach
In a Diamond DA40 NG. $550 in a Cirrus SR20 G7, and more in an SR22.
$300
Harborside Aviation · Punta Gorda
$199
North Florida Flight School · Quincy
$199
Universal Flight Training · Sarasota
About 30 to 40 minutes with an instructor, in one of the school's airplanes.
$299
St Pete Air · St. Petersburg
$149
Treasure Coast Flight Training · Stuart
45 minutes. A friend can come along at no extra charge.
$149
Superior Aviation Gateway · Tampa
In a Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee. $120 in a Cessna 172RG.
$99
Fly Umatilla LLC · Umatilla
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$99
Sarasota Aero Club · Venice
A 25-minute ground session and 60 minutes of flight time.
$250
Aamro Aviation · West Palm Beach
60 minutes, in a Cessna or a Piper.
$250
Sky Chiefs Aviation · Williston
25 to 30 minutes in the air. Plus tax.
$130
$100
CrossAirOcean · Zephyrhills
A 45-minute flight with a ground session and simulator time.
$110
Georgia 22
Georgia discovery flights →$99
All2Fly Aviation Academy · Atlanta (Chamblee)
Includes a facility tour and a preflight walkaround.
$180
Centennial Aviation Academy · Atlanta (Chamblee)
Plus tax and fees. 45 minutes, with up to two backseat passengers free.
$299
$199
Augusta Aviation, Inc. · Augusta
30 minutes of ground training and 30 minutes in the air.
$190
$150
Slipstream Aviation · Carrollton
One hour.
$149
West Georgia Flight School · Carrollton
$99
Dependable Aviation · Dallas (Douglasville)
60 minutes in the air, with a preflight briefing and a facility tour.
$299
Lanier Flight Center · Gainesville
In the aircraft of your choice.
$325
$200
Get Inspired Flight · Jasper
The longer Introduction Flight is $199.
$109
Aero Atlanta Flight Center · Kennesaw
In a Cessna 172. $599 in a Cirrus SR20.
$449
Atlanta Air Academy · Kennesaw
About an hour.
$199
$270.34
Magnolia Aviation · Lawrenceville
Two hours in total: an hour on the ground and an hour in the air. Paid before booking.
$200
$179
Charlie Tango Alpha Aviation · Perry
About 45 minutes to an hour with an instructor, at the controls.
$250
Tailwind Aviation Solutions · Perry
A 30-minute flight and an introduction to the DA20-C1 with an instructor; it counts toward the certificate.
$250
Lowcountry Flight Company · Statesboro
About 45 minutes in a Piper Cherokee 180, paid after the flight.
$125
Spirit Aviation · Thomson
$199
Dragonfly Aviation · Winder
In a Diamond DA20. $139 in a DA40 and $299 in a Game GB1.
$89
Idaho 3
Snake River Flight Training · Caldwell
About an hour in the air, within at least two hours with the instructor.
$210
$130
$100
Illinois 16
Illinois discovery flights →$395
JWA Flight School · Bolingbrook
$199
Aeronautics Academy · Chicago
$297
$105
Blue Skies Flying Services · Lake in the Hills
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$199
Boraam Aviation · Prospect Heights
About 30 to 45 minutes. A Chicago lakeshore route of 45 minutes to an hour is $360.
$270
Sauk Valley Aviation · Rock Falls
$99
$198
$99
Holiday Airways · Schaumburg
In a Cessna 172.
$199
Sport Pilot Chicago · Sheridan
$95
$110
JA Flight Training · Sugar Grove
Two 30-minute lessons, one of them in a VirtualFly simulator.
$199
Travel Express Aviation · West Chicago
A one-hour lesson in a Piper Archer, with half an hour of flight training.
$210
$350
$290
Indiana 9
Indiana discovery flights →$199
Tom Wood Aviation · Fishers
About 30 minutes of flight time in a one-hour visit. Each additional passenger is $50.
$175
Sweet Aviation · Fort Wayne
In a Diamond DA20, one passenger. $200 in a Cessna 172 or DA40, $250 in a Cirrus SR20 and $450 in a DA42.
$150
New Horizons Aviation · Goshen
In a two-seat airplane, plus tax. $85 in a four-seat airplane.
$65
$149
Griffith Aviation · Griffith
$169
Flight Training Centers · Kokomo, Sheridan & Westfield
20 minutes. A second person is $50 more.
$150
$110
$95
Iowa 7
Iowa discovery flights →Iowa Flight Training · Cedar Rapids
A first flight lesson with half an hour of ground training.
$119
$99
US Flight Co · Des Moines
$195
Knoxville Aviation · Knoxville
At the controls of the Cessna 172 with an instructor, with a facilities tour. The length is not stated.
$100
$100
Livingston Aviation · Waterloo
$59
Future Flyers of Iowa · Winterset
Advertised as a limited-time special, sold as a gift certificate.
$99
Kansas 5
Kansas discovery flights →Hetrick Air Services · Lawrence
A special: an hour with an instructor, including a 20-minute flight in a Cessna 172.
$134
$49
$199
$174.95
Air Capital Aviators Club · Wichita
A 30-minute introductory flight.
$75
Kentucky 4
Flywell Aviation · Bowling Green
A friend can come along within a 400 lb combined weight.
$200
Belmar Aviation · Georgetown
$99
$245
Kickstart Aviation · Mayfield
About an hour, with the preflight, the flying and a debrief; the time counts toward the Private.
$190
Louisiana 2
Aviation Academy of Louisiana · New Iberia
In an airplane. A helicopter discovery flight is $250.
$100
Neu Aviation · Shreveport
An hour of flight and an hour of instruction.
$200
Maine 2
Maine Instrument Flight · Augusta
$150
$105
Maryland 8
Maryland discovery flights →Ready 9 Aviation Academy · California
45 minutes in a Cessna 140. $499 in a Cessna 185 on floats.
$249
Harford Air Services · Churchville
$139
1World Aero · Fort Meade
For one prospective student, after completing the school's intake questionnaire.
$295
GT Aviation · Fort Washington
$200
Advanced Aviation Group · Frederick
In an airplane. $250 in an R22 helicopter and $300 in an R44.
$200
Bravo Flight Training · Frederick
Thirty minutes on the ground and thirty minutes in the air with an instructor.
$182
Pilot In Training Flight Academy · Gaithersburg
30 minutes of briefing and 30 minutes in the airplane. One per person.
$145
$129
Massachusetts 7
Massachusetts discovery flights →Beverly Flight Center · Beverly
45 minutes in a Warrior or a Cessna.
$179
FCA Flight Center · Fitchburg
Over an hour at the controls of a Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior. The premium first lesson is $399.
$299
AeroVenture · Mansfield
$350
$170
Eagle East Aviation · North Andover
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$175
$275
Fly Pioneer Valley · Turners Falls
$175
Michigan 17
Michigan discovery flights →Huron Aviation Services · Alpena
A session in the Redbird simulator and about 30 minutes at the controls of the Cessna 172, with a debrief.
$180
Michigan Flyers · Ann Arbor
An introductory lesson in a Cessna, 30 to 45 minutes aloft. The club says the fee covers aircraft expenses and the instructor donates their time.
$120
Foxtrot Flight Training · Dowagiac
In a Luscombe 8A, about an hour and a half in all.
$130
Halls Aviation · Grosse Ile
One hour in a Cessna 150. The same hour in a Cessna 172 is $199.
$149
Crosswinds Aviation · Howell
One hour in a two-seat Diamond DA20. An hour in a Cessna 172 is $220.
$185
Clear2Aviate · Ionia
$120
Kalamazoo Flight Instruction · Kalamazoo
About an hour in total, a ground lesson and the flight in the Diamond or a Cessna. The store shows it as a sale price off a $250 regular price; the intro page states $125.
$125
Airmen Academy · Lowell
$100
Suburban Aviation · Ottawa Lake
$99
Kal-Aero Flight Instruction · Portage
45 minutes in a Cessna 172, which the school describes as a special price lowered from its normal rate.
$150
Bay Flying Services · Saginaw
About one hour of flight time in the Cessna 172, billed at $190 an hour and prorated for a shorter flight.
$190
$149.95
Giving Wings Aviation · Traverse City
$165
Wayne and Plane Flight Instruction · Troy
The deluxe flight, about twice as long, is $189.
$129
DCT Aviation · Waterford
The school's introductory flight page says half an hour of flight maneuvers; its homepage says 45 minutes in the pilot's seat. $50 comes back if you go on to train for your license.
$150
$225
Lavion Aero · Zeeland
In a two-seat Cessna 150. $169 in a Piper Cherokee 140, $182 in a Liberty XL-2, and $185 in a Grumman Cheetah or a Cessna 172.
$157
Minnesota 8
Minnesota discovery flights →$85
$234.99
AV8 Flight School · Eden Prairie
One hour in an airplane, with tax and MAC fees on top. A helicopter discovery flight is $480.
$305
Thunderbird Aviation · Eden Prairie and Crystal
$149
$200
$199
Air Trek North · South St Paul
An hour in the air with 90 minutes of instruction, at the South Saint Paul location.
$189
St. Cloud Aviation · St. Cloud
About 30 minutes in a Cessna 152, plus tax. $160 in a Cessna 172.
$120
Mississippi 7
Mississippi discovery flights →New Heights Aviation · Batesville
30 minutes of flight with preflight ground training. Another 30 minutes is $75 more.
$179
$100
$99
$139
Natchez Flight Training · Natchez
A one-hour experience: a ground lesson before the flight, then the flight.
$100
Air Venture Flight Center · Olive Branch
A thirty-minute flight with an instructor.
$149
$99
Missouri 6
Missouri discovery flights →EAS Flight Training · Aurora
$99
Cape Copters · Cape Girardeau
In a Magni gyroplane. $330 in a Robinson R22 helicopter and $550 in an R44.
$180
Columbia Jet Center · Columbia
$125
Rebel Aviation · Liberty
20 minutes.
$75
$275
St. Charles Flying Service · St. Charles
$135
Montana 3
High Country Flight Training · Belgrade
Sixty minutes in a 2026 Piper Archer TX with a briefing before and a debrief after; headset included. Sold at $234 through October 14, 2026, and 15% off for military, veterans and first responders.
$275
Cloud Catcher Aviation · Great Falls
$175
Bitterroot Aviation · Stevensville
$49
Nebraska 4
$299
Athlos Aviation · Omaha
$150
Nebraska Flight Center · Omaha
A flat price, with a pre-flight briefing and time at the controls.
$235
Oracle Aviation · Omaha
30 minutes of ground instruction and 30 minutes of flying. Plus tax.
$160
Nevada 5
Nevada discovery flights →Sport Aviation Center · Carson City
In a light sport aircraft. Typically an hour of flight and an hour on the ground.
$330
Pilot Training Las Vegas · Las Vegas
A 30-minute flight. A Deluxe Discovery Flight is $295.
$145
Vegas Aviation · North Las Vegas
A 30 to 60 minute lesson, depending on conditions.
$100
Biggest Little Flight School · Reno
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$225
Great Basin Aviation · Reno
A discovery flight.
$199
New Hampshire 4
$155
$255
Loprinze Aviation · Nashua
In a Stearman N2S biplane: half an hour of ground and half an hour of flight, with a logbook.
$375
New England Aeronautics · Nashua
An hour of flight and half an hour on the ground.
$200
New Jersey 11
New Jersey discovery flights →$225
$575
Aero Safety Training · Lincoln Park
A 15 to 20 minute flight, with a photograph and a logbook.
$169
Liftoff Pilot Academy · Lincoln Park
The Pilot Pathway X-perience: a two-hour session with one hour of flight in the Pipistrel Alpha Trainer or the Cessna, and a briefing before and after. A $50 deposit holds the booking.
$349
Beyond Aviation · Lumberton
About an hour of flight and half an hour of ground, in a Cessna or Piper. $495 in a Cirrus SR20, and $595 at night in the Cirrus.
$225
Certified Flyers · Morristown
In a Cessna 172. $336 in a G1000 Cessna 172, and a 1.5-hour Hudson River flight is $462. The instructors page prices the same one-hour introductory flight at $340, so confirm which applies.
$310
609 Aviation Flight Training · Rio Grande
$180
Air-Mods Flight Academy · Robbinsville
One hour.
$230
Elite Flight Experience · Wall Township
One hour in the air and up to two hours with the instructor. Additional passengers ride at no charge.
$550
Sky Training · West Milford
A sale price for one person, against a regular $329. Two people is $539 on sale.
$279
Velocity Flight School · Williamstown
Plus tax. 60 minutes, with a $50 deposit at booking.
$270
New Mexico 6
New Mexico discovery flights →$180
Four Corners Flight · Farmington
One hour.
$175
$225
$150
$200
Red Arrow Flight Academy · Santa Teresa
30 minutes in a Cessna 172 or Piper Archer. With a 30-minute simulator session first, $275.
$220
New York 9
New York discovery flights →7:47 Aviation · Cortland
An introductory flight lesson. The school does not say how long the flight is.
$150
Airborne Elite · Farmingdale
One person in a Bristell LSA. $260 for one to three people in a Piper Warrior.
$240
East Hill Flying Club · Ithaca
In a Cessna 152, for students under 175 lb. $249 in a Cessna 172.
$199
Goodrich Aviation · Johnson City
About 45 minutes of flight, around 1.5 hours in all with ground instruction.
$150
Vasi Aviation · Latham (Albany)
In a Cirrus SR20, with a 30-minute ground briefing.
$550
OnCore Aviation · Rochester
In a Diamond DA20 at Batavia. A DA40 is $295 at Batavia and $325 at Rochester and Buffalo, and a Cirrus SR20 at Buffalo is $475.
$250
Rochester Air Center · Rochester
$250
Delaware Aviation LLC · Sidney
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$100
True Course Flight School · Syracuse
$225
North Carolina 10
North Carolina discovery flights →$250
Departure Aviation Services · Laurinburg
$175
Total Flight Solutions · Louisburg
The cheapest of its airplane intro flights. An hour of flight time is $255.
$139
$250
Raleigh Professional Flight School · Morrisville
Free when you sign up for a course.
$250
$200
$120
$199
High Tide Aviation · Southport
From Southport or St Simons Island. $199 from Wilmington.
$149
Cape Fear Coastal Aviation · Wilmington
One hour in a Cessna 172 plus 30 minutes of ground school. $385 in the Cirrus SR20.
$299
North Dakota 3
Fargo Wings · Fargo
A discovery or intro flight at the standard rate; the price list does not say how long it is.
$230
$179
Price Flight Services · West Fargo
$190
Ohio 9
Ohio discovery flights →$142
Bluffton Flying Service · Bluffton
$125
T&G Flying Club · Cleveland
A half-hour flight for one. An hour is $220, and lessons for up to three people are also offered.
$130
Dayton Aviation Services · Dayton
A one-hour block with an instructor, including a 30 to 40 minute flight in a Cessna Skyhawk.
$115
$150
Blue Sky Flight Training · Hamilton
$110
Middletown Regional Flight Training Institute · Middletown
A 30-minute preflight lesson and a 30-minute flight. The Ultimate Discovery Flight Package is $479.
$124
$90
Stewart's Aircraft Service · Waynesville
In a regular airplane. $125 in the PT-17 biplane and $120 in a glider or an aerobatic airplane.
$60
Oklahoma 7
Oklahoma discovery flights →Oklahoma Aviation · Bethany
The school marks the price with an asterisk it does not explain.
$349
$165
Tulsa Aviation Group · Claremore
One hour with an instructor in a Cessna 150, 200-pound weight limit. $241.50 in a Piper Cherokee 160 and $269 in a Cessna 172.
$192
$115
$179
Tulsa Flight Training · Tulsa
One hour in a Cessna 150, on sale at $123 when checked. One hour in a Cessna 172 for two people is $250, on sale at $175.
$175
$299
Oregon 5
Oregon discovery flights →$299
Captain Drake's Family Aerial Adventures · Cave Junction
A ground briefing and half an hour of dual instruction.
$200
AeroForge Flight Training · Hillsboro
About 30 minutes of briefing and about an hour of flight in the RV-12iS, from Hillsboro or Aurora.
$199
Western Oregon Aviation · Roseburg
$99
$125
Pennsylvania 16
Pennsylvania discovery flights →ACES Aviation · Beaver Falls
An hour in a Diamond DA20, plus tax. A DA40 is $199 plus tax.
$99
Moore Aviation · Beaver Falls
30 minutes, plus tax. An hour is $140.
$75
Chester County Aviation · Coatesville
In a Piper Warrior or Cessna 172, sales tax included. $369 in a Cirrus.
$269
$150
Keystone Aviation Group · Elysburg
$120
$150
$99.95
$125
GQ Aviation · Philadelphia
The intro flight: taxi, takeoff and landing. The longer discovery flight is $199.
$99
Hummingbird Aviation · Philadelphia
About 45 minutes. Departs Linden or Northeast Philadelphia.
$280
Penn Flight School · Quakertown
30 minutes of ground school and 45 to 50 minutes in the air.
$249
Top Flight of Reading · Reading
About 30 minutes flying and 30 minutes on the ground with the instructor.
$180
Smoketown Flight Center · Smoketown
30 minutes of ground and a one-hour flight.
$249
$139
$149
Brandywine Flight School · West Chester
A first flight lesson of about two hours: an hour on the ground and an hour in the plane.
$250
Rhode Island 2
$200
Westerly Aviation · Westerly
About 30 minutes of flight time in the Cessna 150. The school's 200 lb weight limit applies.
$199
South Carolina 7
South Carolina discovery flights →Aiken Pilot Training · Aiken
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$179
$248
USAeroFlight · Greenville
42 minutes in the air and 18 minutes of ground instruction.
$225
$110
Propel Aviation Center · Newberry & Columbia
A 30-minute ground lesson and a 30-minute flight, priced by base: $140 at Newberry and $155 at Columbia. A two-hour version with a one-hour flight is $229 at either base. An extra passenger is $25.
$140
CRAFT Flight Training & Simulation · North Charleston
An hour at the controls of a Diamond DA40 NG, about 1 hour 45 minutes in all.
$325
$200
Tennessee 7
Tennessee discovery flights →AVZ Aviation · Alcoa
Up to two passengers.
$199
$199
Knoxville Flight Training Academy · Knoxville
About an hour.
$199
$263
Harmony Air · Nashville
$300
Wings of Eagles Aviation · Smyrna
One hour.
$225
Aileron Aviation · Sparta
$99
Texas 45
Texas discovery flights →Lytle Aviation · Abilene
About an hour, flying with an instructor.
$250
Modern Pilot Platinum Cirrus Training Center · Arcola
30 minutes in a Cirrus SR-series.
$350
SkySchool of East Texas · Athens
The shortest option, with a 10 to 15 minute preflight briefing. A longer discovery flight for career-minded students is $225.
$99
Above and Beyond Aviation · Austin
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$149
AeroPro Flight Academy · Austin
A 90-minute experience in a Cirrus SR20, about 30 minutes of it in the air. Plus tax.
$599
Rock Solid Aviation · Beaumont & Orange
$250
Brenham AeroTech · Brenham
About 45 minutes in the Tri-Pacer from the left seat, with a briefing and debrief; it counts toward training.
$149
Fort Worth Flight School · Burleson
$250
Austin Aviation Training · Burnet
All-inclusive. A second person can fly separately for $149.
$249
Lively Aviation · Cleburne & Stephenville
A preflight briefing, about an hour of flight time at the controls, and a debrief; it counts toward the Private.
$200
Chennault Aviation Academy · Conroe
About 45 minutes. Flown on a standby basis.
$155
$99
Decatur Jet Center · Decatur
Sold as a gift certificate. The school does not say how long the flight is.
$149
Above It All Aviation · Denton
Listed as a sale price, down from $259. The school does not say how long the flight is.
$199
In The Pattern Flight School · Denton
One hour at the controls, with a T-shirt and a logbook.
$300
$200
Exceptional Flights · Fort Worth
The school does not say how long the introductory flight is. A one-hour lesson is $295.
$195
Marcair Aviation · Fort Worth
A 30-minute ground briefing and an hour-long flight.
$300
$145
$150
Pilots Choice Aviation · Georgetown
$135
$100
$250
Mesquite Aviation · Mesquite
30 minutes, paid in advance, and it can be logged.
$100
Sky's Edge Aviation · Midland & Odessa
$220
SimplyFLY · New Braunfels
Thirty minutes. An hour is $200 and ninety minutes $250.
$125
$229
Nationwide Aviation · Roanoke & Weatherford
A 45-minute flight with a 30-minute ground lesson and a 15-minute debrief.
$250
Rudy's Aviation Services · Rockwall
Plus tax. The school breaks it down as $150 aircraft, $50 instructor and a $25 fuel surcharge.
$225
$250
Bario Aviation · San Antonio
The school does not say how long the flight is.
$129
Black Hound Aviation · San Marcos
One to two hours, tax included.
$195
Watch Me Fly Academy · San Marcos
In the pilot's seat from engine start to shutdown, in a glass-cockpit trainer. It counts toward a certificate.
$215
Jaybird Aviation · Seguin
$129
On The Fly · Seguin
One to two hours in all, tax included, with you flying most of the flight.
$195
Veracity Aviation · Seguin
A helicopter flight: 30 minutes of ground and 25 minutes flying a Robinson R22. $320 in an R44.
$195
Raider Aviation · Slaton
$250
Inspire Aviation · Spring
$155
$129
Anson Aviation · Sugar Land
In a Cessna 172, with a preflight briefing and a debrief. One person only.
$250
$250
Chiota Aviation · Waco
30 minutes in a Cessna 172. $250 for 30 minutes in a Cirrus SR20.
$125
Waco Flight Training · Waco
$125
Aerospace N3XT · Wichita Falls
An hour in the aircraft and an hour with the instructor.
$350
Code 1 Flight Training · Wills Point
30 minutes on the ground and 30 minutes in the air.
$100
Utah 7
Utah discovery flights →$300
Cut and Snip Flyers · Ogden
In a Cessna 172.
$150
Pilot Makers · Provo
In a Piper Archer. $209 in the aerobatic trainer, $269 in a Cirrus SR22 and $330 in an Extra.
$179
$140
$190
$185
$150
Vermont 2
$199
Altitude Flight Training VT · North Clarendon
A ground lesson and a 30-minute flight.
$250
Virginia 13
Virginia discovery flights →$150
$249
Charlottesville Flight Center · Charlottesville
One hour.
$300
$185
Aero Elite Flight Training · Leesburg, Winchester, Manassas & Norfolk
30 minutes of ground instruction and 30 minutes in the air.
$200
Vortex Flight School · Louisa
The school says an instructor can log it as dual toward a certificate.
$265
Piston2Jet · Manassas
$200
Heritage Air · Midland
30 minutes of flying and 30 to 40 minutes of ground instruction.
$200
RVA Flyers · Richmond
A 45-minute flight with 15 minutes of ground. A three-hour flight and ground lesson is $600.
$275
Star Flight Training · Roanoke
In a DA40. A discovery session in the full-motion simulator is $49.
$150
Curtis Eads Flight School · Suffolk & Newport News
A one-hour session with about 45 minutes of flying.
$215
Eagle's Nest Flight Services · Waynesboro
30 minutes, with a ground session. An hour is $240.
$180
Williamsburg Flight Center · Williamsburg
45 minutes of flight and 15 minutes of ground, in a Cessna 172. The one-hour package, with 30 minutes of ground, is $259.
$169
Washington 14
Washington discovery flights →Mission Aviation Training Academy · Arlington
One hour. The schedule prints this price once, in the non-mission column.
$300
Avian Flight Center · Bremerton
About 30 minutes of flight and an hour of ground. About an hour of flight is $330.
$200
$250
$165
FLYIT Academy · Camas
Half an hour in a Cessna 150. $155 in the RV-12iS and $160 in a Cessna 172, also half an hour.
$120
$195
$295
$180
$90
Bergstrom Aircraft · Pasco
30 minutes in the air with 30 minutes of ground instruction. 60 minutes is $210.
$120
No Limits Aviation · Spokane
The school does not say how long the flight is or in which aircraft.
$100
Northwest Flight Service · Spokane
A Cirrus intro flight, a 15-minute simulator session, a facility tour and an hour's consultation, for up to three people.
$500
$180
47 North Aviation · Wenatchee
In a Cessna 152. $220 in a Piper Cherokee 140.
$180
West Virginia 1
RSA Flight Training · Morgantown
About an hour in total, with about 45 minutes of flight.
$150
Wisconsin 18
Wisconsin discovery flights →Lakeland Aviation · Arbor Vitae
$200
Aero 290 · Burlington
A 30 to 40 minute introductory lesson in a Cessna 172 with an instructor.
$150
Gibson Aviation Services · Eau Claire
$100
Fond du Lac Skyport · Fond du Lac
$69
Pilotsmith · Green Bay
30 minutes in a Cessna 172, plus tax. An hour is $359, and a Cirrus SR20 flight is $299 for 30 minutes or $474 for an hour.
$224
$199
Stick and Rudder · Kenosha
$50
Colgan Air Services · La Crosse
$125
Wisconsin Aviation · Madison & Watertown
$115 in a Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior.
$99
Duffy's Aircraft Sales & Leasing · Marshfield
Half an hour to 45 minutes in a Cessna 172, plus 5.5% tax. Its longer "Discovery Flight" is billed by the hour.
$125
Compass and Prop · Neenah
45 minutes at the controls and 30 minutes of ground instruction.
$145
$69
Aviation Services · Oshkosh
One hour: 20 minutes of preflight and 40 minutes in the air.
$149
AJR Aviation · Platteville
A preflight briefing and hands-on instruction with a flight instructor. The school does not say how long the flight is.
$100
Centurion Flight Academy · Racine
30 minutes in a Cessna 150, with time on the ground with an instructor. 45 minutes in the 150 is $150; in a Cessna 172, $130 for 30 minutes or $195 for 45.
$100
$200
Superior Flying Services · Superior
About 30 minutes in the air, with a preflight session and a debrief, and it counts toward training. A one-hour adventure flight is $210.
$125
Spring City Aviation · Waukesha
$150
Wyoming 5
Wyoming discovery flights →$150
$150
The Flying School · Cheyenne
$100
$130
Sheridan Pilots 307 · Sheridan
For under 21, with at least 30 minutes of flight. $145 for adults 21 and up.
$95
Common questions about discovery flights
How much does a discovery flight cost?
Across the 462 US flight schools that publish a discovery flight price, the median is $189. Published prices run from $49 to $599. What the price buys varies: some include thirty minutes in the air, others an hour plus a ground briefing, so compare what each one includes as well as the figure.
What is a discovery flight?
A short first lesson in a training airplane with a flight instructor. You sit in the pilot's seat, and most schools let you take the controls once you are in the air. Schools also call it an intro flight or a demo flight.
Does a discovery flight count toward a pilot certificate?
It can. Time flown with a certificated flight instructor can be logged as dual instruction, which counts toward the private pilot certificate. Ask the school whether the instructor will sign your logbook for the flight.
What should I ask before booking one?
How long you will be in the air, as opposed to the whole visit; which airplane you will fly; whether a ground briefing is included; whether tax is added; any weight limit; and whether a friend or family member can ride along.
Cite or share this stat
PilotBound, "Discovery flight prices at US flight schools": median $189 across 462 US flight schools that publish a discovery flight price (range $49 to $599), each from the school's own site, updated November 3, 2026. https://pilotbound.app/discovery-flights
Free to reuse with credit. A link back to this page is appreciated.
The figures on this page are published under CC BY 4.0. Each school's price links to the page it comes from.
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PilotBound is not affiliated with these schools. Each price is the school's own published figure on the date shown, and schools change them; confirm with the school when you book. Disclaimer & removal policy.