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Los Angeles Discovery Flight 1.5 hr

TourTruth score 7.7 out of 10

GoodTop 20% in Los Angeles

13 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Los Angeles
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Take the controls on a Los Angeles discovery flight, with an FAA-certified instructor and sweeping views from Van Nuys to Malibu.

About this tour

Take the left seat and fly over Los Angeles with an FAA-certified instructor guiding you. This 90-minute Los Angeles discovery flight is a hands-on lesson, not a commercial sightseeing tour, and no license or previous experience is needed.

Start at Essence Flight Academy at Van Nuys Airport with a ground briefing, then inspect your chosen aircraft with your instructor. Once airborne, you take the controls for climbs, turns, and descents while your instructor handles the radios and takeoff roll. The route can showcase the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, and Malibu coastline, with the Downtown skyline in view. Choose from six aircraft types, including a Diamond DA20, Piper Warrior, Cirrus SR22 Turbo, or Piper Seminole; guest availability depends on the aircraft.

After landing, taxi back to the ramp and receive a signed logbook entry recording your dual instruction, plus a Certificate of First Flight and a post-flight debrief. The logbook entry is valid toward an FAA pilot certificate. Flights depend on weather, air traffic control, and Temporary Flight Restrictions, with a free reschedule or full refund if conditions are unsafe.

Book your Los Angeles discovery flight and see the city from the pilot’s seat.

Highlights

  • Take the controls with an FAA-certified instructor beside you
  • Fly above the Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica Pier, and Malibu coastline
  • Choose from six aircraft types, including a twin-engine plane
  • Earn a signed logbook entry for dual instruction toward an FAA certificate
  • Explore the route from the pilot’s seat, then taxi back to the ramp

What's included

Included

  • Pre-flight ground briefing with an FAA-certified flight instructor
  • Choice of aircraft from a six-type fleet
  • Aircraft walk-around and pre-flight inspection
  • Hands-on flight time at the controls as dual instruction
  • Headsets and flight equipment
  • Signed pilot logbook entry valid toward an FAA certificate
  • Certificate of First Flight
  • Post-flight debrief and path-to-license walkthrough

Not included

  • Transport to and from Van Nuys Airport
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • No pilot license or prior flying experience required
  • Minimum age 12; participants under 18 need a parent or guardian present and a signed parental consent form
  • Maximum weight is 200 lb (91 kg) per participant; provide each participant’s weight at booking for aircraft assignment
  • One participant flies as the student pilot; one guest may ride along on Warrior, Cirrus, or Seminole options
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  • Sign a liability waiver on arrival
  • Flights depend on weather, air traffic control, and Temporary Flight Restrictions; unsafe conditions mean a free reschedule or full refund
  • Not recommended for people prone to severe motion sickness
  • Not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems
  • Pets and smoking are not permitted
  • Bring a passport or ID card, sunglasses, and closed-toe shoes
  • This is a dual-instruction flight lesson, not a commercial sightseeing tour

Frequently asked questions

Do I need flying experience or a license?

No. Beginners are welcome, and an FAA-certified instructor provides dual instruction throughout the flight.

Can I bring a guest?

One guest may ride along with the Warrior, Cirrus, or Seminole option. The Diamond DA20 is for one flyer.

What is the minimum age and weight limit?

Participants must be at least 12 and weigh no more than 200 lb (91 kg). Those under 18 need a parent or guardian present and signed consent.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

The flight will be rescheduled at no cost or refunded in full if conditions are unsafe.

Does the flight count toward pilot training?

You receive a signed logbook entry for dual instruction that is valid toward an FAA pilot certificate.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. GetYourGuide rates it 4.93 from 13 reviews. We place that rating among all GetYourGuide ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Los Angeles
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.7. Top 20% in Los Angeles means it ranks in the top 20% of tours in Los Angeles by this score.

Provider rating distribution in Los Angeles

How many tours in Los Angeles have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

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