Introductory flying lesson · Van Nuys Airport
Discovery Flight Los Angeles at Van Nuys Airport
Take a hands-on discovery flight in Los Angeles from Van Nuys Airport with Reza Sabzi, CFI/CFII, in a Piper Warrior II. Your introductory flight lesson costs $259 for one flying participant or $309 with one guest. Reserve two hours for briefing, preflight, approximately 60 minutes of flying and a debrief. No previous flight experience is required. Also called a discovery lesson or intro flight, this is a practical way to try learning to fly before starting private pilot training.
Discovery flight near me · Los Angeles
Looking for a discovery flight near you in Los Angeles?
Accelerated Flight Academy offers introductory flight lessons at Van Nuys Airport, with online booking from $259. Take the controls of a Piper Warrior II with Reza Sabzi, CFI/CFII, beside you. No previous flying experience is required.
| Lesson option | Price | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| One flying participant | $259 | Briefing, approximately 60 minutes of flight instruction and debriefing in a two-hour reservation. |
| One flying participant + one guest | $309 total | The same lesson with one accompanying guest, subject to weight-and-balance and instructor approval. |
Aircraft: Piper Warrior II PA-28-161, N9172Y. Instructor: Reza Sabzi, CFI/CFII. Read selected student reviews or choose an available time.
Where your Los Angeles discovery flight starts
Meet at 7900 Balboa Blvd., H7, Van Nuys, CA 91406, at Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley. All discovery lessons depart from Van Nuys. If you are searching from West Los Angeles, Westwood or Santa Monica, plan your trip to this meeting point and confirm arrival instructions with Reza before leaving.
Our Van Nuys location also serves students traveling from Sherman Oaks, Encino, Northridge and Burbank. Get directions to the Van Nuys meeting point (opens in a new tab) or call (310) 490-0402.
Watch the discovery-flight reel
Your first flight starts here.
Watch the video, then choose a time for your introductory flying lesson at Van Nuys Airport.
See booking optionsOpen video on Instagram (opens in a new tab)Follow @fly_afa on Instagram (opens in a new tab)Discovery flight Van Nuys
Discovery flight prices and online booking
Choose your introductory flying lesson below. Scheduling and payment are completed through Calendly and Stripe. Both options depart from Van Nuys Airport, with the meeting point at 7900 Balboa Blvd., H7, Van Nuys, CA 91406.
Briefing, approximately 60 minutes of flight instruction and debrief in a two-hour reservation.
The same introductory lesson with one accompanying guest. Both weights are required before the flight.
Guest carriage and flight operations remain subject to weight and balance, weather, aircraft availability and the instructor’s final approval. Read our booking terms before payment.
The lesson
What the discovery flight includes
Add one guest for $50, making the two-person total $309. Approximately 60 minutes of flight time within a two-hour reservation, including the briefing, aircraft walk-around and debriefing.
- Instruction from Reza Sabzi, CFI/CFII
- Preflight safety briefing and Piper Warrior II orientation
- Hands-on introduction to basic aircraft control when conditions permit
- Postflight debrief and a clear next step if you want to train
Flight time, routing and views are subject to weather, air traffic control, safety and aircraft availability. The lesson is educational—not a guaranteed sightseeing itinerary.
Learn to fly in Los Angeles: your first flying lesson
A discovery flight is an introductory flying lesson for beginners who want to try the controls, meet their instructor and explore learning to fly. Training takes place at Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley. If you are comparing flight lessons near Sherman Oaks, Encino, Northridge or Burbank, plan your travel to our Van Nuys meeting point; all lessons depart from Van Nuys.
After the flight, discuss private pilot license training at Van Nuys and a realistic schedule with Reza. Compare the cost of flight school in Los Angeles or read about discovery lessons and air tours before choosing.
From arrival to debrief
Your discovery-flight timeline
Before you arrive
What to wear and bring
- Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
- Bring sunglasses and a government-issued photo ID.
- Eat normally, hydrate and tell Reza in advance if you are prone to motion sickness.
- Bring a pilot logbook if you already have one and want the instructional time documented.
- Confirm the meeting point and start time before traveling to the airport.
- Keep baggage minimal; the aircraft has weight, balance and storage limits.
Specific age, size, mobility or medical questions should be discussed privately before payment or arrival. The final decision to operate rests with the instructor and applicable safety requirements.
Participant policy
Can you bring another person?
Yes. Choose the $309 two-person option for one flying participant plus one guest. The lesson remains instructional; the additional person is a guest, not a second flying participant.
Both weights are required before the flight. Guest carriage remains subject to aircraft weight-and-balance limits, weather, safety, and the instructor’s final decision.
Safety before schedule
Weather and routes can change
Discovery flights operate only when Reza determines that weather, winds, visibility, air traffic, aircraft status and other conditions support the lesson. Los Angeles landmarks may be visible on some routes, but no landmark or exact route is guaranteed.
If conditions are unsuitable, the safe result may be a delay, a different route or a reschedule. Keep your contact information current and check messages before leaving for Van Nuys.
A real introductory lesson
Can the time count toward pilot training?
Federal regulations allow a person to log training time received from an authorized instructor. Whether a particular discovery flight is loggable depends on how it is conducted and documented, so ask Reza before the lesson and bring a logbook if you have one.
If you decide to continue, the next step is a training plan based on your schedule, goals and proficiency—not a promise that one flight guarantees any certificate progress.
Verified references
Sources and public listings
Quick answers
Discovery-flight questions
Where can I book a discovery flight near me in Los Angeles?
Book with Accelerated Flight Academy at Van Nuys Airport, 7900 Balboa Blvd., H7, Van Nuys, CA 91406. Reza Sabzi, CFI/CFII, teaches the introductory lesson in a Piper Warrior II. The price is $259 for one flying participant or $309 with one guest, with approximately 60 minutes of flight instruction within a two-hour reservation. Visitors from West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley travel to our Van Nuys meeting point.
How much is the discovery flight at Accelerated Flight Academy?
The direct discovery-flight lesson is $259 for one flying participant or $309 for one flying participant plus one guest. It reserves approximately two hours for the briefing, preflight, approximately 60 minutes of flight time and debriefing, subject to weather, air traffic control, safety and operational conditions.
Can I bring a guest on the discovery flight?
Yes. Select the $309 two-person option for one flying participant plus one guest. Both weights are required, and guest carriage remains subject to aircraft weight-and-balance limits, weather, operating conditions and the instructor’s final approval.
Can a discovery flight count toward pilot training?
A person may log training time received from an authorized instructor under 14 CFR 61.51. Ask Reza before the lesson to confirm that the flight will be conducted and documented as instruction and bring a pilot logbook if you have one.
What happens if the weather is not suitable?
Aviation weather, visibility, winds, air traffic or aircraft availability can require a delay, route change or reschedule. Reza confirms operational conditions and will not promise a sightseeing route that conditions do not safely support.
Do I need flying experience or an FAA medical certificate?
No previous flying experience is required. An FAA medical certificate is not required simply to receive a discovery lesson with an instructor, although medical requirements apply later before most students may solo.