Private Pilot Experience Flight from Burlington: Try the Controls

Take the controls of a real aircraft over Lake Ontario

A 60-minute private pilot experience departing from Burlington puts you in the front seat of a real aircraft with a commercial pilot. After a 30-minute ground briefing on the aircraft and basic flight controls, you fly for 30 minutes and get hands-on time at the controls under the pilot's supervision. Up to two guests ride in the back seats at no extra cost. No flying experience is required, and you'll receive a certificate and complimentary gift at the end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private pilot experience flight

• Attend 30-minute pre-flight briefing
• Learn aircraft basics and controls
• Fly 30-minute scenic flight
• Try controls under pilot supervision
• Receive certificate and complimentary gift

The experience

The experience starts on the ground with a 30-minute briefing where the pilot introduces you to the aircraft, walks through the pre-flight checklist, and explains the basics of how the plane responds to control inputs. You'll learn what to expect before you ever leave the tarmac. Once airborne, the flight itself runs 30 minutes and takes you over Lake Ontario. The pilot handles takeoff and landing. During the cruise, you get to try the controls yourself while the pilot supervises from the other seat.

Up to two passengers can ride in the back seats at no additional charge. They get the full flight experience but don't participate in the hands-on portion. Aviation headsets go to all passengers so everyone hears the pilot's commentary and can follow what's happening. Bottled water is provided, and parking fees are covered. You'll leave with a pilot experience certificate and a complimentary gift.

The front-seat participant must be at least 8 years old. Younger children can ride in back. No previous flying experience is necessary. The whole outing (briefing, flight, and debrief) takes about an hour from start to finish.

What’s included

• Aviation headsets for all passengers.
• up to two complimentary back-seat guests.
• bottled water.
• pilot experience certificate and complimentary gift.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendly

Operated by SkyHigh Toronto Flight Tours

Is this one for you?The flight time is split evenly between ground instruction and flying, so you spend half an hour learning before you touch the controls: ideal if you want to understand what you're doing rather than jump straight in.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I bring family members who don't want to fly the plane?

Yes. Up to two passengers can sit in the back seats and watch the entire flight at no extra cost. Only the front-seat participant takes part in the hands-on flying portion.

What happens during the 30-minute flight?

The pilot handles takeoff and the initial climb. Once at altitude over Lake Ontario, you take the controls under the pilot's supervision and fly the aircraft for part of the flight. The pilot manages the descent and landing. Throughout, the pilot explains what's happening and guides you through each step.

Do I need any flying experience to do this?

No. The pilot teaches you the basics during the ground briefing and then guides you through the actual flying. The front-seat participant just needs to be at least 8 years old.

What's included in the price?

The experience includes the 30-minute briefing and 30-minute flight, aviation headsets for all passengers, bottled water, parking fees, a pilot experience certificate, and a complimentary gift. Gratuities are not included.