Introductory Flight – Your First Lesson
YOUR FIRST LESSON IN BECOMING A PILOT
Introductory Flight Lesson – What to Expect
Your journey begins as you join our certificated flight instructor in a simulator where you will learn what makes an airplane fly as well as becoming familiar with the aircraft’s flight controls and instruments. Before heading to the ramp, you and your instructor will then receive a pre-flight weather briefing and plan your flying adventure.
After an aircraft preflight inspection, you’ll take the pilot’s seat in a Cessna 172 or a Piper 100i, some of the most popular and comfortable single engine aircraft in the world. With you at the controls, your instructor will provide assistance as you experience the thrill of takeoff.
For the next 60 minutes the airplane is in your hands . . . your instructor will first demonstrate and then observe you perform basic flying maneuvers while you enjoy the marvelous view. Your introductory flight could be the first step to becoming a private pilot; it may be the realization of your lifelong dream.
Your $299 Introductory Flight Includes:
- ½ hour in ground school
- ½ hour in a simulator
- 1 hour flying a Cessna 172 or Piper 100i
- Tour of the school
- One-on-one time with the school director
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
An introductory flight is a structured, hands-on experience designed for individuals with little or no aviation background. The goal is not to perform perfect maneuvers or test a student’s skills, but to remove the mystery from flight training. It provides a transparent, realistic preview of the training environment, the cockpit, and the teaching style to give prospective pilots the clarity needed to decide if they want to pursue a pilot’s license.
To accurately mirror a professional flight training environment while ensuring a comfortable experience, American Flyers formats the introduction as a complete two-hour lesson. The program is strictly divided into three sequential steps:
- 30 Minutes of Ground School: A one-on-one briefing covering basic aerodynamics, weather variables, and an introduction to flight controls.
- 30 Minutes of Simulator Time: Hands-on practice inside an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) to learn core instruments and maneuvers before heading to the actual plane.
- 60 Minutes of Dual Flight Time: An hour in the pilot’s seat of a real training aircraft alongside a certified instructor.
Yes. You do not ride along as a passive observer but you sit in the left seat (the pilot-in-command seat) from the moment you climb into the cockpit. Under the close supervision and guidance of your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), you will assist with adjusting the throttle and feel the aircraft lift off the runway during takeoff. Once in the air, your hands will remain on the yoke as you perform basic flight maneuvers, including climbs, descents, and gentle turns.
American Flyers conducts its introductory lessons using standard, highly reliable training aircrafts, primarily the Cessna 172 or the Piper Pilot 100i depending on location and availability. The complete introductory lesson is $299. This flat fee covers the ground school, simulator session, aircraft rental, fuel, and the instructor’s time, and also includes a full facility tour and one-on-one consulting time with the school director.
To participate in an official American Flyers introductory flight, candidates must be at least 15 years old. No prior aviation knowledge, medical certificates, or training prerequisites are required. The lesson is intended purely as an entry point, and the school handles all resource scheduling and security check-ins upon arrival.
Yes. Because you are flying alongside an FAA-certified instructor, the lesson counts as legitimate dual instruction flight time. At the conclusion of your lesson, your instructor will help you record your very first hour of flight time. This hour can be officially logged and fully applied toward the minimum aeronautical experience requirements for any future certificate or rating you choose to pursue, such as a Private Pilot License.