What a discovery flight costs in California
A discovery flight costs a median of $212 at the 52 California flight schools that publish a price, and published prices run $98 to $449.Each price below is the school's own figure, with its source, the date it was checked, and a number to call.
- Median price
- $212
- Schools
- 52
- Range
- $98 to $449
Updated November 3, 2026
California 52
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
Common questions about discovery flights in California
How much does a discovery flight cost in California?
Across the 52 California flight schools that publish a discovery flight price, the median is $212. Published prices run from $98 to $449. 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 in California": median $212 across 52 California flight schools that publish a discovery flight price (range $98 to $449), each from the school's own site, updated November 3, 2026. https://pilotbound.app/discovery-flights/california
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.
Beyond the first flight: what training costs at California flight schools, or discovery flight prices in every state.
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. A state gets a page like this once 5 of its schools publish a price. Disclaimer & removal policy.