"Test Drive" Our Flight Instruction Experience: Enjoy!

It is difficult to evaluate the flight training experience as a dispassionate external "consumer." You really have to get in the plane and give it a try (with an experienced flight instructor on board to guide you) so you know what you are getting into. We are a not-for-profit corporation and we probably lose money on most Discovery Flights, but we want everyone to try this experience before joining so they can correctly determine what they are getting into. This is an opportunity to see and fly the planes as well as meet the staff and other flight students. Ask all of your questions; 99.9% of people love the experience and can't wait to get started learning to fly! Pick up an application and Let's Go Flying!

What Should I Wear and Bring? What Do We Do?

This is not a dress up occasion so please be comfortable and bring a camera so you can capture this fun experience. We will give you an overview of the instructional materials while we are inside the club and show you a short DVD presentation so you get to see what the training materials are like. All our flight students take a ground school that is integrated with the flight training to insure that your experience in the plane is the most meaningful and cost effective. After a tour of the facilities we proceed to the plane and pre-flight (just like every pilot does before every flight). Then we get inside the airplane for an overview of the controls and instruments. Getting "fitted" so you are comfortable and can see everything outside is essential. Before you know it we have started the airplane and you are taxiing to the runway. We "brief" every flight so you know what to expect in detail. Usually we take off and fly over the city of Ithaca and Taughanock Falls, maneuver a bit then come in for a landing (about a half hour in the air). You will have an introduction to the radio for clearances and learn a bit about directing the plane on the ground too (use your feet to turn on the ground; not the "steering wheel")

The take-off from the runway and getting into the air is almost too exciting for lots of people; please make sure you keep breathing! Most people are also surprised at how much they can do all by themselves with only the verbal guidance of the flight instructor. There is not too much to hit at 3500ft if you are watching outside carefully, fell free to try the controls and direct the plane as the instructor allows. This is your opportunity to see how much movement in the controls is required (it is a "light touch") and enjoy the breath-taking view of the Finger Lakes.

When you are done and taxiing in you will know a lot more about the whole flight experience and what learning to fly "feels" like. We would love for you to join the club and learn to fly so please make sure to get an application from your instructor. We CAN sign you up on this very same day if our manager is around but usually we encourage you to talk it over and make a realistic assessment of how this will fit into your life; it does require time and money (but is well worth the investment of both). Our whole organization is designed to just "break even" so though we always want more members, we also want you to be happy with your choice and make a commitment not an impulsive decision. Please talk with other club members while you are at visiting and see how others have learned. You will discover how diverse our membership is involving people from every walk of life. Flying is well within the reach of every individual and adds great diversity and excitement to even a simple trip to visit relatives. We will describe the necessary steps in acquiring a pilot medical and proceed with your training; this is the time to ask all those questions! Thanks for joining us for a Discovery Flight and we appreciate your feedback and comments in person or e-mail about the experience and anything we can do to improve your flying experience at East Hill. Call us today and schedule a flight: (607)257-1313...thanks!