Demo Flight

Interested in learning to fly, but want to get a glimpse at a typical lesson before committing? Try a Demo Flight! This hour-long flight will allow you to take the controls of the aircraft under the guidance of an experienced flight instructor. You’re instructor will demonstrate a safe takeoff and landing and will answer all of your questions about the aircraft or training process. Considered your first flight lesson, you will be able to log flight time towards your Private Pilot Certificate and experience firsthand what it is like to train in the beautiful Bay Area with San Carlos Flight Center.

You will be able to choose from a variety of aircraft for your demo flight, such as a Cessna 172, Cessna 152, or a Piper Archer. While most of our training fleet is equipped with round-dial flight instruments, a few of our 172s have the high-tech, electronic flight display known as the Garmin G1000 system built-in.

The demo flight includes around one hour in the air with the instructor and an additional half hour on the ground to gain aeronautical knowledge and familiarity with the flight training process. The exact timing of the flight varies depending on weather and air traffic limitations.

Our demo flight costs $350, which includes the aircraft rental and flight instructor. There are no hidden costs. You can purchase a demo flight below or you can call our office at (650) 946-1700 if you have additional questions. 

Book your demo flight
Can I buy a Demo Flight as a gift certificate for someone else?
Absolutely! Learn more about and purchase gift certificates on this page.
How old do I have to be to take a Demo Flight?
While we don’t have a minimum age, we recommend that participants are old enough to listen and follow directions. Generally, participants who are under 12 years old may have a hard time seeing over the cockpit dash, so we’d recommend that they wait until they are tall enough.
What plane should I take my Demo Flight in?
Please read this page on which aircraft are available for you to train in.
Can I bring a friend or family member?
We can accommodate one other person in the back seat during a standard demo flight! (Please note, this is dependent on load and weight limitations) We also offer the ability to have both participants fly through our Land-and-Switch Demo Flight. Each participant will get to log around 25 minutes of flight time. Land-and-Switch Demo Flights cost an extra $100. Please call our office to schedule!
What if I need to cancel the Demo Flight? What about the weather?
Please call us at least 24 hours before the demo flight is scheduled to take place. As for weather, the instructor will make the go/no-go decision on the day of the flight. We will reach out to you if we need to reschedule, and will be happy to rebook you on another date or time. If you don’t hear from us, please assume the demo flight is still occurring.
What should I bring on the demo flight?

While not required, we recommend that you bring a light jacket in case you get cold, as well as a pair of sunglasses. Also, please wear closed-toed shoes for safety reasons.