Ooooo baby, your life is about to get good.

If you’ve never experienced general aviation (small planes) before, this is for you.

Ok, so what is it?

A discovery flight is a short (typically 1-2 hours) introductory flight lesson where you (the potential student pilot) sit at the controls of an aircraft while a CFI demonstrates normal flying procedures.

What’s the point of a discovery flight?

A discovery flight gives you the chance to experience flying and decide if you’d like to pursue further training. Flight training takes a lot of work, so it’s great to try it out in a low-commitment way before diving all the way in.

How do I book a discovery flight?

If you’re in East Tennessee, you’re in luck because you have a friendly neighborhood CFI already – Me! Contact me about my current rates and availability; I’d love to be the one to introduce you to flying!

If you’re anywhere else in the US, you’ll want to look up your local airport. If you’re new to aviation, you might be surprised at the amount of small regional airports in your community. Search for flight schools at those small local airports and call them up, or call the airport directly. Chances are, they’ll either be happy to offer you a discovery flight themselves or they’ll know a local CFI who can do it.

How much will it cost?

Cost can vary with a lot of factors. Location, type of aircraft, length of the flight, and more can all contribute to the total. Expect to pay somewhere between $200-350. This includes aircraft rental, fuel, and the instructor’s time.

What should I bring?

Really just bring your enthusiasm. We CFIs LOVE helping new people get into aviation and are thrilled to see you get excited about flying.

On second thought though, be sure to bring a water bottle (hydration is key) and any questions you have about the training process. The school or CFI should be able to provide you with a headset if you don’t own one, so don’t worry about that!

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can move around in. You’ll likely be walking around on the airport ramp for a preflight inspection of the plane and might be squatting, pushing, or pulling depending on how much your instructor involves you in the process of getting the aircraft ready to fly.