Discovery Flight For Two Over Downtown Los Angeles (60 Minutes)
Discovery Flight For Two Over Downtown Los Angeles (60 Minutes)
Some experiences are better with a witness. One of you flies a real airplane over the Hollywood Sign and the downtown skyline; the other rides along with a headset on, hearing every word, taking the photos and seeing Los Angeles the way pilots do. This is the flight people book for birthdays, anniversaries and the friend who has always said they'd love to fly a plane, and it's the one most often given as a gift.
Free rescheduling up to 24 hours before · if the weather says no, you do not pay · questions? Call (818) 330-1318
The Downtown LA route
Takeoff from Van Nuys, a climb over the Sepulveda Basin, then east along the Mulholland ridge with the Valley on one side and the city on the other. The Hollywood Sign comes up close on the left, then Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles River, Dodger Stadium and the downtown towers at 2,500 to 3,500 feet. Depending on traffic and weather your instructor may route back past Universal Studios and Burbank, or over the Sepulveda Pass with a glimpse of the Getty and Santa Monica Bay. The exact route is agreed in the briefing.
Who flies
You decide in the briefing. The pilot-for-the-day sits in the left seat with the instructor beside them; the second person sits in the back seat with a headset, which is where the weight-and-balance math puts them. You can't swap seats in flight, so if you both want to fly, book two flights back to back and we'll keep the same instructor and airplane.
Minute by minute
- Check-in and briefing (about 25 minutes) for both of you: how the controls work, what you'll see, what the instructor will say.
- Walk-around (10 minutes). Both of you can help inspect the airplane.
- Taxi and takeoff. Your instructor flies the takeoff and narrates it.
- 60 minutes of flight with the pilot-for-the-day on the controls for most of it.
- Landing, debrief and a signed logbook entry. Plan on about two hours at the airport.
What's included
- Aircraft, fuel and FAA-certificated instructor
- Briefing and walk-around for two
- 60 minutes of flight time, one person at the controls, one riding along
- Two headsets, so the passenger hears everything
- A signed logbook entry for the person who flew
Requirements
- No experience, license or medical required for either of you
- No minimum age; children ride or fly with a parent's blessing and the instructor's judgment
- Weight: a combined weight limit of 360 lb applies to this aircraft. Close to it, or not sure? Call us on (818) 330-1318 before you book and we will talk you through the options, including the Cirrus SR22 flight (200 lb per person, 400 lb combined).
- Government photo ID for the person flying; closed-toe shoes; non-polarized sunglasses
Weather and rescheduling
If the weather isn't right we call you before you leave home and move you at no charge, or you can fly the simulator instead. Free rescheduling up to 24 hours before your flight; full policy here.
Questions couples ask
Can we propose in the airplane?
People do, and it works: the passenger seat has a clear view of the left seat, the instructor can be in on the plan, and the Hollywood Sign makes a good backdrop. Tell us when you book and see groups and events.
Is it a tour?
No: it's a first flying lesson with a passenger. The person in the left seat flies most of the flight; the instructor handles radios, takeoff and landing.
Can I buy this as a gift and let them pick the date?
Yes. Buy a gift card for the value of this flight and they book whenever suits them; gift cards have no blackout dates.
What about sunset?
Late afternoon in winter is the flight to book if you're choosing purely on how it looks; ask for the last slot of the day. In summer, mornings are smoother and clearer.
Prefer the ocean? See the 90-minute Malibu coast flight for two.