Triad Aviation Academy Discovery Flight over the Piedmont Triad region

Take the Controls:
Your First Flight

Experience a hands-on Discovery Flight with 45 minutes of flight time, plus a 15-minute pre-brief and 15-minute post-brief with your instructor. Contact for pricing. Available Monday through Sunday. Call (336) 369-2804 to book.

Feel the Freedom of
Your Very First Flight

Taking your first flight is an unforgettable milestone. Unlike a commercial flight where you sit passively in the back, this is a hands-on flight lesson in Greensboro that gives you full control over your journey.

You will feel the power of the engine and the lift of the wings the moment you pull back on the yoke, under the direct guidance of a certified flight instructor.

Student pilot and instructor sitting inside a Cessna training aircraft cockpit

What to Expect:
Your First Day

Certified Flight Instructor showing student flight path on aviation map

Step 1: Ground Lesson

Before you ever touch the airplane, your instructor will guide you through a comprehensive ground lesson. This briefing sets the foundation for your flight, explaining how aerodynamic forces work and what each primary control surface does. You will learn how to read the basic instruments on the dashboard and exactly what to expect once you are airborne.

Flight instructor and student checking Cessna wing before takeoff

Step 2: Walkaround

A safe flight always begins on the ground. Together with your instructor, you will perform a complete exterior and interior inspection of the aircraft, checking the fuel, control linkages, and engine components. You will also learn how to use the pilot checklist, a critical safety tool used by everyone from student pilots to airline captains.

Student pilot takes control yoke in flight lesson

Step 3: You Fly the Plane

Once cleared by air traffic control, it is time for takeoff. While the instructor handles the complex radio communications, you will have your hands lightly on the control yoke. Once you reach a safe altitude, your instructor will hand the controls over to you, allowing you to execute climbs, descents, and turns independently.

Certified Flight Instructor and student pilot holding discovery flight certificate

Step 4: Post-Flight Review

After landing, you and your instructor will debrief the flight. You will review the maneuvers you performed, log your first flight training hours in your pilot logbook, and map out the next steps for your flight training journey.

The Scenic Route: Greensboro Landmarks

Your hands-on Discovery Flight offers more than just flight training; it provides an unparalleled aerial tour of the Piedmont Triad. As you depart Piedmont Triad International Airport, you will immediately be greeted by breathtaking views of downtown Greensboro and the rolling green landscape of North Carolina.

As you cruise through the airspace, your instructor will point out iconic landmarks that you have only ever seen from the ground. You will fly over the surrounding lake regions, lake Brandt and lake Townsend, gaining a fresh appreciation of the area's geography.

Beautiful aerial view of North Carolina fields from cockpit window

Special Bonus Offer: Kickstart Your Training

We want to make your transition from a Discovery Flight to a full-time student seamless and rewarding. That is why we offer special incentives designed to lower your initial training costs and support you as you embark on your flight training journey.

If you decide to officially enroll and pursue your Private Pilot License with us after your introductory flight, contact us for training package pricing and details about available flight credit promotions.

Student pilot and CFI smiling together inside the cockpit of a training aircraft

Frequently
Asked Questions

Use these answers to clear any questions about the introductory flight experience. If you need any further clarifications, feel free to speak with our advisors directly.

Yes, this is a hands-on experience where you will take the controls and fly the plane yourself. Under the guidance of a certified flight instructor, you will practice climbs, descents, turns, and straight-and-level flight, giving you a true taste of what it feels like to be a pilot.
The experience includes a 15-minute pre-brief to learn the basics of flight and the aircraft's controls, a full pre-flight aircraft inspection and walkaround, 45 minutes of flight time where you are in the pilot's seat, and a 15-minute post-brief with your instructor.
No, absolutely no prior experience is needed to take a discovery flight. This is designed as your very first step into aviation, and our instructors will guide you through every moment of the process.
You will enjoy unparalleled views of the Piedmont Triad region, including downtown Greensboro skyline, and surrounding North Carolina lakes and rolling hills.
You will be flying with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) sitting right by your side. They handle the complex radio communications and safety while empowering you to take the controls and experience the joy of flight firsthand.
Contact for pricing.
Yes, we regularly offer flight credit incentives to help students build momentum in their training. Contact our advisors for information on our current enrollment promotions.
Flight credits are applied directly to your student account and are designated for flight training instruction or aircraft rental to offset your training costs.
Yes, the flight time logged during your Discovery Flight is officially recognized by the FAA and counts as your first logbook entry. Your 45 minutes of flight time gives you legitimate progress toward the FAA flight hours requirement for your Private Pilot License.
Yes, Discovery Flights are available Monday through Sunday, including weekend options. We can schedule Discovery Flights seven days a week based on aircraft, instructor, and weather availability.
Flights depart from our premier flight school facility located at Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO) in Greensboro, NC.
Your instructor will help you map out a plan. The first steps include reviewing how to become a pilot, obtaining a medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner, and applying for your Student Pilot Certificate through the FAA's IACRA system.
Because this is an official training flight in a two-seat training configuration (or weight-limited scenario depending on the aircraft), the flight is primarily restricted to you and your instructor. This ensures you get the full hands-on learning experience without any distractions.

Book Your Discovery Flight

Ready to take the controls? Fill out the form below and our team will contact you to schedule your Discovery Flight. We fly Monday through Sunday, including weekend availability.

Cessna aircraft landing at dawn at Greensboro, NC
Cessna aircraft landing at dawn at Greensboro, NC

Ready To Take The Controls?
Your Aircraft Is Waiting

Every successful pilot started with a single decision to try. Your Discovery Flight includes 45 minutes of flight time, a 15-minute pre-brief, and a 15-minute post-brief, making it the ultimate low-risk way to figure out if you want to pursue a lifetime of aviation.

Stop looking up at the sky and start flying in it. Take control of an airplane with flight availability Monday through Sunday. Contact for pricing. You can book directly online, or simply give our dispatch team a call to lock in your preferred flight time.