Discovery flight
Posted by zahskis@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hi all, big enthusiast looking to take her discovery flight. What’s the experience like, and any recommendations for reputable places in NY or FL?
Despite adoring aviation, I can be a very nervous flier. I heard they often include some stalling and steep turns during discoveries, and I’ve never been in a small plane before… so hopefully they’re open to, well, not doing that!
daneato@reddit
I did a discovery flight through the Civil Air Patrol, no stalls, just a few little micro parabolas for a few secs of “zero-g”. After the second one I said, “You’re more than welcome to keep doing that, but if you do I’m likely to use the barf bag.”
BrewCityChaserV2@reddit
Any flight school offering initial discovery flights which include stalls and steep turns should be avoided at all costs.
Random61504@reddit
I did both on mine. We did a steep turn and then she asked if I wanted to see a stall. She only demonstrated it, I got to shadow her but I did not actually do one. I did do a steep turn though. I did not go to that school, but not because of the discovery flight.
Kai-ni@reddit
I would hope any good instructor won't immediately jump to stalls on a discovery flight, lol. But I did do them on my like... my second lesson, so get ready. They're not so hard when you get used to it.
Really just hop over to any small school near you and take a disco flight. If you don't like that school or that instructor, you can try another discovery flight at a different school. That's what discovery flights are for.
flyghu@reddit
If you do stalls and steep turns on a discovery flight then you should thank the school for all the red flags they are showing you and happily move along.
frix86@reddit
The instructor will walk you through everything before hand. If you tell them that you are not comfortable with certain things, they won't do them.
Stalls and steep turns are part of flight training, so you will have to do them if you decide to continue on. (They are nothing to be afraid of as they are perfectly safe when done properly)
zahskis@reddit (OP)
I have no problem doing them down the line, but I know I’ll be nervous in a new environment so I’d prefer not to the first time! And thanks for the help :)
BrewCityChaserV2@reddit
The chances of a discovery flight including anything like a stall or steep turn are close to zero.
BhallaUpvoteBrigade@reddit
Following this for recommendations in NY/tristate area