Weekday Learn to Fly a Cessna in San Diego
About this experience
If you've ever had the dream of flying, climb aboard this amazing experience and Learn to Fly a Cessna over San Diego!
No Expiration
DatesFlexible
BookingFree
ExchangesInstant
Delivery
Absolutely incredible! After just an hour of instruction, I was flying a Cessna myself. Bruce, my instructor, was professional, thorough, and laser‑focused on safety. If you’ve ever dreamed of piloting an airplane—or even pursuing a license—this experience delivers. Intense, exhilarating, and unforgettable. Highly recommended!
What's Included
- Learn from an experienced FAA certificated flight instructor
- Fly in a Cessna 172 - no experience necessary
- Step-by-step hands on lesson teaches you how to use all of the controls simultaneously
- This experience is only bookable on weekday dates (Monday - Thursday)
- Great introductory experience and first lesson for anyone who's ever dreamed of learning to fly!
What happens on the day
Take a step into the world of aviation during this introductory flight experience!
Upon arrival, you'll be assigned your own personal FAA certificated flight instructor who will provide you an explanation of aircraft controls, the flight instruments and their functions. After walking through a pre-flight safety checklist and checking-in with air traffic control, you'll be ready for take-off!
Depending on the weather and air traffic on the day of your lesson, you can choose to spend the duration of your flight in the eastern practice area or spend half of it flying over the San Diego Bay.
This lesson is not to be confused with an airplane ride where one passively watches someone else do the piloting. The whole idea of this introductory flight lesson is to get you to do as much piloting as you can handle.
The flight portion of your learning experience will last approximately 1 hour, and you'll be handling the controls except during take-off and landing. Before and during your flight your instructor will explain and demonstrate the use of the controls, and then you'll take the controls yourself.
Through this flight lesson you'll experience all the different phases of flight and feel the unparalleled exhilaration and freedom of flying!
Location
Locations shown shouldn't be used for route planning
Availability
When Do I Choose A Date?
Either yourself or the lucky recipient can make a booking and select dates once you are in receipt of the voucher. You’ll register the voucher, follow the booking instructions, and your experience with us begins!
Year-Round:
Monday through Thursday - 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Important Details
Essential Information
- Participants must be fully vaccinated OR present a negative Covid test taken the morning of or the day before the experience, which cannot be self-administered (telehealth is okay)
- If a test or vaccine record can not be provided, masks must be worn throughout the entirety of the flight
- Individual participants must weigh no more than 290 lbs
- Participant may bring a guest to share in the learning experience, combined weight of student and guest must not exceed 340 lbs
- Participant must be at least 14 years old
- Passenger must be at least 12 years old
- Participants will be required to present a valid passport or driver's license
- Price includes a logbook and endorsement to record the training, which counts towards the FAA requirements for a pilot's license
- This flight is not recommended for participants who suffer from motion sickness or medical conditions including but not limited to heart problems, breathing problems, or other conditions which may cause seizures.
- All participants and guests are expected to be in good general health and not under the effects of drugs or alcohol, and must be physically able to manipulate all of the flight controls
- Experience provider reserves the right to cancel at any time due to inclement weather, maintenance issues, unanticipated scheduling conflicts, or if they deem the customer's physical or medical condition inappropriate for the experience
- This experience is only bookable on weekday dates (Monday - Thursday)
Duration
Experience Provider Info
Maximum Participants
Spectators
Weather Dependent
What to Wear
FAQs
Can I bring a guest along while I fly?
Yes, you may bring 1 guest along with you on the learning experience as long as the combined weight does not exceed 340 pounds.
Are children allowed?
The student must be at least 14 years of age.
What if I tend to get motion sickness or have other health issues?
What if my flight is cancelled due to weather?
Are there any weight restrictions?
Participants must weigh no more than 290 lbs. The total combined weight of the student and guest must not exceed 340 lbs.
Returns, Exchanges & Cancellations
Returns
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be returned hassle-free within 14 days. All refunds will be made to the original purchaser.
Exchanges
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be exchanged for anything else in our marketplace at any time. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs more, you'll simply have to pay the difference. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs less, you'll have a credit towards your next booking with Virgin Gifts.
Cancellation Policy
Once you have scheduled a date and received a booking confirmation, you may reschedule up to 14 days in advance. You may only reschedule your experience once, and flights may not be rescheduled beyond 90 days after the originally scheduled flight.
Customer Reviews
Absolutely incredible! After just an hour of instruction, I was flying a Cessna myself. Bruce, my instructor, was professional, thorough, and laser‑focused on safety. If you’ve ever dreamed of piloting an airplane—or even pursuing a license—this experience delivers. Intense, exhilarating, and unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Really cool experience. Bruce was a great instructor.
Excellent experience. Bruce the instructor was great. Explained everything and I was able to fly it by myself for quite a while.
