[Fly for the first time with SOCAL’s Discovery Flight in San Diego] A Discovery Flight, also known as an introductory flight or demo flight, are for those interested in flying for the first time and pilots pursuing a Private Pilot License. In the Discovery Flight, FAA-certified instructor (Ivan Cibrian) will lead you through the pre-flight, flight and post-flight steps every pilot takes. The Discovery Flight in San Diego consists of a pre-flight briefing of 30 minutes, one hour of flight time and a post-flight discussion. The demo flight takes off from Gillespie Field or Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego and cost $300 per session.

Training Overview

Accompanied by your FAA-certified instructor (Ivan Cibrian) the Discovery Flight will lead you through the same steps every pilot takes before during and after flying. The introductory class begins with a preflight briefing from CFI-I flight instructor Ivan. Next, you’ll step out to the airplane where your will be given an introduction to the airplane - typically a Cessna 172. After the introduction, you’ll strap into the left seat of the plane, where you’ll have panoramic views of San Diego and your own stick, rudder pedals, and throttle — which you’ll soon get to use! Your instructor will demonstrate standard ground operations and a picture-perfect takeoff. Once safely airborne over El Cajon and the East Miramar Ridge — it’ll be your time to fly. You’ll be able to bank, turn, climb, and descend while piloting the plane. Ivan will instruct you and give pointers on how to fly and where to go, but the flight is yours. 90% of the time you will be flying, giving you the chance to soar over the Pacific ocean, head eastward towards El Capitan Reservoir, or fly northward to explore the beauty of Lake Hodges. Once you have flown for about an hour Ivan will lead you back to the airport where he’ll land the plane. Your total time in the air will be approximately 60 minutes. At that point, you’ve done it! You’re now among the ranks of those training to be pilots.

Flying At/Near These Airport(s)

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport

Specific Aircraft Access

Cessna 172

Pricing Notes

Pre-flight briefing of about 30 minutes will be given; The flight duration is one hour; Post-flight discussion and training; Passengers allowed; One-on-one training with FAA-Certified Instructor Ivan Cibrian; Discovery Flight class cost $300; Fly from Gillespie Field or Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport

Requirements

Safety is key while learning to fly. Before you take to the skies with SOCAL Flight Training we check and ensure aircraft, weather, and airplane systems are safe and reliable. Here's how we guarantee your safety: 1. FAA Compliance: We adhere rigorously to all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, providing you with the peace of mind that your flight meets the highest standards of safety and legality. 2. Aircraft Maintenance: CFI-I Ivan Cibrian ensures the aircraft used are maintained to the highest safety standards. Each aircraft is meticulously inspected and maintained, giving you the assurance of a safe and reliable flying experience. 3. Weather Verification: Ivan verifies weather conditions, making sure they are within safe limits. If, for any reason, the weather is not safe to fly, we reschedule your discovery flight to ensure your safety. 4. Weight & Balance Checks: Weight and balance checks are carried out to ensure the aircraft is loaded correctly to maintain stability and control throughout the flight.