Malibu Coast Discovery Flight For Two (90 Minutes)
Malibu Coast Discovery Flight For Two (90 Minutes)
The scenic one. Ninety minutes is enough time to fly out of the Valley, follow the Malibu coast to Point Dume and beyond, and come home over the Hollywood Sign, with you on the controls for most of it and a guest beside you for all of it. If you're choosing a flight purely on what you'll see, this is it.
Free rescheduling up to 24 hours before · if the weather says no, you do not pay · questions? Call (818) 330-1318
The Malibu coast route
Climb out of Van Nuys, cross the Sepulveda Pass and the coast is only thirteen miles away. You'll turn west over Santa Monica Bay with the pier behind you, then fly the shoreline: Topanga, Malibu Lagoon and the pier, Paradise Cove, Point Dume, Zuma and Westward Beach, and on clear days out toward Leo Carrillo. The return runs inland over Malibu Canyon or Kanan Dume, back across the Santa Monica Mountains with the whole Valley laid out ahead, and, traffic permitting, a pass by the Hollywood Sign before the approach.
Whale season. Between December and April gray whales migrate along this coast; from 1,500 feet over the water you can often spot them. On clear winter days Catalina sits on the horizon the whole way.
Who flies
One of you sits in the left seat and flies; the other rides in the back with a headset, hearing everything and free to take photos. Decide in the briefing. If you both want to fly, book two flights back to back.
Minute by minute
- Check-in and briefing (about 25 minutes): controls, route, what you'll hear from your instructor.
- Walk-around (10 minutes).
- Taxi and takeoff, flown and narrated by your instructor.
- 90 minutes of flight with you on the controls for the climb, the coast and the return.
- Landing, debrief, signed logbook entry. Allow about two and a half hours at the airport.
What's included
- Aircraft, fuel and FAA-certificated instructor
- Briefing and walk-around for two
- 90 minutes of flight time, one at the controls, one along for the ride
- Two headsets
- A signed logbook entry; dual time counts toward the private pilot minimums
Requirements
- No experience, license or medical required
- 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; the Cirrus SR22 allows 400 lb combined and flies the same route.
- Government photo ID for the person flying, closed-toe shoes, non-polarized sunglasses
Weather and rescheduling
The coast has its own weather, so on marine-layer mornings we may suggest a later slot or the Downtown route instead; if we can't fly we call before you leave home and move you at no charge. Free rescheduling up to 24 hours ahead; full policy.
Good to know
When is the best time to fly the coast?
Late afternoon from October to March gives the longest, softest light and the sun setting over the water on the way home. Summer mornings are smoothest; summer afternoons can have a marine layer over the beaches until early afternoon.
Can we fly lower over the beach?
Your instructor will fly the coast at a comfortable, legal altitude for the view, usually 1,500 to 2,500 feet over the water, and you'll be flying it.
Is this a good gift?
It's the most-photographed flight we offer. Buy a gift card for the value and let them pick the date, or book it and surprise them at the airport.