You'll be in the pilot's seat, flying the aircraft with a certified instructor. This counts as your first official flight hour toward your license.
A demo flight, also called a discovery flight or intro flight, is a chance for you to evaluate our aircraft, instructors and facilities, and for us to introduce you to what real flight training feels like at Aces High Aviation. Show up, walk the line, sit in the seat, and start logging hours.
~1 hr 45
Total time on field
0.9–1.1 hrs
Logged flight time
From walk-in to taxi-back
Preflight with your instructor, copy a clearance from Long Beach Tower, then taxi to runway 26R or 30. Once airborne and clear of the pattern the controls are yours: fly out over the Long Beach harbor, take in the Queen Mary view, try a few basic maneuvers. Inbound, follow along on the controls as your instructor demonstrates the approach and landing. Taxi back, shut down, log the hour. That’s a real first lesson.
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Aircraft Options
Two seats or four · pick to fit
Cessna 152
$230
All-in · the standard demo flight
Seats
2
Weight
≤ 185 lb
Height
≤ 6'1"
Our standard demo aircraft. Two seats: you and the instructor, no passengers. Recommended weight up to 185 lb and height up to 6'1". The most cost-effective option to find out whether flight training is for you.
Cessna 172
$270–$280
All-in · N2235V · room for two extra passengers
Seats
4
Passengers
+2
W&B Check
At booking
Better option for anyone over 185 lb or 6'1". The 172 seats four total: you, your instructor, and up to two additional passengers in the back at no extra cost. With a full back seat we will definitely need to run weight and balance numbers first, so please tell us everyone's approximate weights when you book.
All demo flights are scheduled in advance. We do not have a front desk or receptionist, so please call to schedule ahead.
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Ready to Learn More?
Flight training, explained
Whether you are just exploring or ready to get started, we are here to help you make sense of the process. Whether you are exploring aviation for fun or aiming for a professional airline career, our demo flight is the perfect starting point.
At Aces High Aviation we offer comprehensive flight and airline training programs tailored to your goals. This introductory flight is a hands-on experience, a chance to get to know our aircraft, instructors, and facilities before you commit.
Call anytime
Rings straight to Sam's cell during business hours.
Or schedule a free meeting
A free 60–75 minute sit-down with Sam, the owner.
We will walk you through exactly what to expect.
01 /How flight training works from day one
02 /What you will need to get started
03 /Realistic timeframes, costs, and goals
04 /Answers to any questions you have, no pressure, no rush
Need the full picture first? The Getting Started page has the full rundown.
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Straight Answers
Price · flying · logging · passengers
How much does a discovery flight cost in Long Beach?
At Aces High Aviation a one-hour discovery flight is $230 in a Cessna 152 or $270 in a Cessna 172. That includes the aircraft, fuel, and a certificated flight instructor. There are no booking fees and nothing else to buy.
Do I actually get to fly the plane?
Yes. After a short briefing and preflight walkaround with your instructor, you take the controls for most of the flight. Your instructor handles the radios and is on the controls with you for takeoff and landing.
Does a discovery flight count toward my pilot license?
Yes. It is a real lesson with a certificated flight instructor, so the time is loggable and counts toward the flight-hour requirements for your Private Pilot certificate.
Can I bring friends or family?
In the two-seat Cessna 152 it is just you and your instructor. Book the four-seat Cessna 172 ($270) and you can bring a passenger along to ride in the back, subject to weight and balance.
What should I bring or wear?
Closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, and a government photo ID. Dress comfortably. No experience is required and there is nothing to study beforehand.
Is a discovery flight the same as a demo flight or intro flight?
Yes. Discovery flight, demo flight, and intro flight all describe the same thing: your first hands-on lesson. At Aces High we usually call it a demo flight.
Begin
Take the controls.
For most students, the demo flight is the moment the decision gets made. One hour in the air and you'll know whether this is for you.