How much does a discovery flight cost in Illinois?

Across the 9 Illinois flight schools that publish a discovery flight price, the median is $199. Published prices run from $95 to $395. 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.

PilotBoundEvery hour. Every dollar.

Published prices, sourced · Updated September 14, 2026

What a discovery flight costs in Illinois

Name: Discovery flight prices at Illinois flight schools
Creator: PilotBound
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A discovery flight costs a median of $199 at the 9 Illinois flight schools that publish a price, and published prices run $95 to $395.

Each price below is the school's own figure, with its source, the date it was checked, and a number to call.

Median price: $199
Schools: 9
Range: $95 to $395

Pick your state

Illinois 9

Fly Synergy · Bloomington
An hour with an instructor.
Checked September 14, 2026Source Call (309) 718-1234
$395
JWA Flight School · Bolingbrook
Checked September 14, 2026Source Call 630-759-1555
$199
Aeronautics Academy · Chicago
Checked September 14, 2026Source Call (773) 869-6300
$297
Boraam Aviation · Prospect Heights
About 30 to 45 minutes. A Chicago lakeshore route of 45 minutes to an hour is $360.
Checked September 14, 2026Source Call 847.537.7526
$270
Sauk Valley Aviation · Rock Falls
Checked September 14, 2026Source Call (815) 213-7939
$99
Citywings Flight School · Schaumburg
30 minutes in a two-seat airplane.
Checked September 14, 2026Source Call 630-796-5222
$99
Holiday Airways · Schaumburg
In a Cessna 172.
Checked September 10, 2026Source
$199
Sport Pilot Chicago · Sheridan
Checked September 14, 2026Source
$95
WAir Aviation · Wheeling
One hour.
Checked September 14, 2026Source Call (847) 773-1382
$350

Common questions about discovery flights in Illinois

How much does a discovery flight cost in Illinois?: Across the 9 Illinois flight schools that publish a discovery flight price, the median is $199. Published prices run from $95 to $395. 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 Illinois": median $199 across 9 Illinois flight schools that publish a discovery flight price (range $95 to $395), each from the school's own site, updated September 14, 2026. https://pilotbound.app/discovery-flights/illinois

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 Illinois 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.