What to Expect on Your Discovery Flight at ATA Flight School

For many aspiring pilots, the Discovery Flight is the moment everything becomes real. It’s your very first lesson, your introduction to the cockpit, the controls, the airport environment, and the freedom of flight. Whether you’re exploring aviation as a hobby or considering a full career, the discovery flight is designed to be safe, exciting, and unforgettable.

This guide walks you through exactly what happens before, during, and after your discovery flight at ATA Flight School, so you know precisely what to expect.

1. What Is a Discovery Flight?

A discovery flight is a hands-on introductory flying lesson with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). It is not a sightseeing ride, it is genuine pilot training from the moment you step onto the ramp.

During this lesson, you will:

• Sit in the pilot’s seat

• Take the controls (with instructor supervision)

• Learn how airplanes work

• Experience real communication and flight procedures

• See whether becoming a pilot feels right for you

Most people walk away feeling energized, confident, and often surprised at how natural flying feels.

2. What Happens Before the Flight

The experience begins the moment you arrive at ATA Flight School’s campus at North Perry Airport.

Check-in & Introduction

You’ll meet your instructor, who will walk you through the plan for the flight. They’ll explain:

• Safety expectations

• Weather conditions

• Basic aerodynamics

• The route you’ll fly

This briefing sets the tone and helps new students feel grounded and comfortable.

Meet the Aircraft

Your instructor will take you out to the ramp to see the training fleet (typically the Cessna 172 or Piper PA-28).

You’ll learn:

• How pilots inspect an aircraft

• What each control surface does

• How flight instruments work

• How to complete a preflight safety check

This part surprises most new students because you get far more hands-on interaction than expected.

3. During the Discovery Flight

Getting Seated & Starting the Engine

You’ll take the left seat, the pilot’s seat. Your instructor will guide you through:

• Adjusting your seat & headset

• Understanding the instruments

• Starting the engine

• Taxiing to the runway

Yes, you may even help taxi the airplane.

Takeoff: You’re in Control

Once aligned with the runway, the instructor will begin the takeoff — and if conditions allow, you may place your hands on the controls to feel the aircraft lift into the sky.

This is where everything clicks.

Hands-On Flying

Once airborne and in a safe area, your instructor will teach you:

• How to climb

• How to turn left and right

• How to maintain straight & level flight

• How to use the horizon for control

• How sensitive (and stable) airplanes really are

Most discovery flight students are surprised by how smooth and intuitive the controls feel.

You will genuinely fly the airplane, the instructor is there to coach, support, and ensure safety.

The View

Flying over South Florida gives you unbeatable scenery: coastline, skyline, neighborhoods, ocean color shifts, cloud layers, it’s stunning.

Even if you’re focused on the lesson, the views make the experience unforgettable.

4. Approaching and Landing

As you approach North Perry Airport again, your instructor will take over for landing. You’ll observe:

• How a stabilized approach works

• Professional radio calls

• Final-approach procedures

• Touchdown and rollout

Seeing this sequence from the pilot’s view builds confidence and removes the mystery of landing.

5. After the Flight: Debrief & Next Steps

Post-Flight Discussion

Once parked, your instructor will walk you through:

• How you did

• What skills you demonstrated

• What the next lessons look like

• How the PPL training pathway works

• How long training typically takes in South Florida weather

This is your chance to ask anything you’ve been wondering:

• Is becoming a pilot realistic for me?

• How much time do I need to train?

• What about medical requirements?

• How do I start the enrollment process?

Logbook Entry

Your instructor can officially log your flight time as pilot training, this goes toward your Private Pilot License.

6. How Long Is the Discovery Flight?

The entire experience, including briefing, preflight, flying, and debrief, typically lasts:

➡️ 60 to 90 minutes

Flight time itself is usually around 30–40 minutes, depending on weather and airport traffic.

7. What to Bring (and What Not to Bring)

Bring:

• A valid ID

• Sunglasses

• Comfortable clothing

• Closed-toe shoes

• A charged phone for photos

Optional:

• A friend or family member to observe

• Questions for your instructor

Do NOT Bring:

• Large bags

• Loose clothing that may interfere

• Anything that restricts movement

8. Who Is the Discovery Flight For?

• Students exploring aviation seriously

• People considering a pilot career

• Anyone curious about flying

• Parents wanting to experience flight before enrolling their child

• Gift recipients

• Aviation enthusiasts

Many professional airline pilots trace their origin story back to a single discovery flight.

9. What You Will Not Need to Know or Do

You don’t need prior knowledge. You don’t need to be good at math. You don’t need to understand aviation terminology. You don’t need to be a certain age (minimum 12–13 is recommended for comfort). You don’t need to commit to training.

This flight exists to explore, not pressure.

10. Why ATA Flight School Is a Great Place for Your First Flight

Although this article is informational, prospective students should know ATA offers:

• A long-standing reputation in South Florida

• Experienced CFIs

• A structured curriculum

• Thorough safety culture

• Affordable training fleet (Cessnas & Pipers)

• Convenient location at North Perry Airport

• Clear, transparent pricing

The discovery flight is your introduction to all of that.

⭐ Conclusion

A discovery flight is the perfect way to understand aviation and decide whether becoming a pilot is right for you. You’ll learn real skills, take the controls, experience breathtaking views, and walk away with a new perspective on what you’re capable of.

Most importantly… It may be the moment that changes your life’s direction.

If you’re ready to take your first step into aviation:

👉 Schedule a Discovery Flight with ATA Flight School 👉 Meet your instructor & tour the fleet 👉 Start your journey toward earning your Private Pilot License

Your wings begin here.