Discovery Flight at Long Beach Airport
$225–$250 · about one hour in the air
A discovery flight is the first step for almost every pilot: about an hour in a Cessna 172 with an FAA-certified instructor, where you take the controls once airborne and find out whether learning to fly is for you. No experience, medical certificate, or paperwork required.
Gomez Aviation is Dylan Gomez, an independent FAA-certified flight instructor offering one-on-one, Part 61 flight training at Long Beach Airport (KLGB) in Long Beach, California.
What to Expect
Briefing and walkaround
You meet Dylan at the airplane, talk through what the flight will look like, and walk around the aircraft together so you see what a preflight inspection involves.
About an hour in the air
Dylan handles the takeoff and the radio work, then shows you around the local practice area. Once airborne, you have the controls: straight-and-level flight, gentle turns, climbs, and descents, with Dylan alongside the whole time.
Debrief and next steps
Back on the ground you talk about how it felt and what training would look like if you want to continue. No pressure and no sales pitch; the goal is to find out whether flying is for you.
What It Costs
A discovery flight is $225 to $250 all in, depending on the aircraft. That covers roughly an hour of flight time, fuel, and Dylan's instruction. There is no deposit and nothing is held on account: you pay after the flight, by cash, check, bank transfer, Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.
The three aircraft are the same ones students train in: a 1967 Cessna 172H with Garmin G5 displays, a 1984 Cessna 172P with classic analog instruments, and a 2007 Cessna 172SP with a G1000 glass cockpit. If you have a preference, say so when you book.
What to Bring
- A government-issued photo ID.
- Sunglasses and comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Your phone or camera. Photos from the left seat are encouraged once you hand the controls back.
- A logbook if you already have one, so the flight time can be logged.
- No medical certificate, no citizenship documents, and no prior experience are needed for a discovery flight.
After Your Flight
If you land wanting more, the getting started guide walks through the handful of things to line up before training: confirming you will be 17 by your checkride, proof of citizenship or TSA authorization, a Third Class medical certificate, and a home-study ground school. None of it has to be finished before your second lesson, but the medical is worth doing early.
Training with Gomez Aviation is one-on-one and pay-as-you-go, with the same instructor every lesson and a small roster of students so scheduling stays flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I actually get to fly the airplane?
Yes. Dylan flies the takeoff and landing and you take the controls once airborne. You will fly straight-and-level, turns, climbs, and descents yourself, with Dylan guiding you and ready to take over at any time.
How much does a discovery flight cost?
$225 to $250 depending on which of the three Cessna 172s you fly in. That covers the aircraft, fuel, and instruction for roughly an hour of flight time. Payment is due after the flight; nothing is held on account.
Do I need a medical certificate or any paperwork?
No. A medical certificate is only required before you fly solo, and TSA citizenship documentation is only required before formal flight training begins. For a discovery flight, a photo ID is all you need.
Does the discovery flight count toward my license?
Yes. It is dual instruction with an FAA-certified flight instructor, so the time can be logged toward the flight hours required for a private pilot certificate.
Can I bring someone with me?
Ask when you book. It depends on the aircraft's useful load and the conditions on the day, and a passenger can usually be accommodated in the back seat.
What if the weather is bad?
Weather cancellations are rescheduled at no charge. Southern California gives plenty of flyable days, but low clouds or strong winds mean the flight waits for a better one.
Ready to take the controls?
Send a message with a few days and times that work for you, or call. Flights go out from Long Beach Airport seven days a week, weather permitting.