| From: Van Nuys (KVNY) |
To: Van Nuys (KVNY) |
| Flight Time: 40 minutes |
Aircraft: Piper Arrow |
| Objective: Learn to Fly an Airplane above LA |
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Humans have wanted to fly like birds since the earliest times. Take a flight lesson, fly an airplane, and go where eagles soar. Fly over Dodger Stadium, DTLA, the Malibu coast, and other iconic Los Angeles landmarks. At first you may see a white blur, and then the letters of the Hollywood Sign unfold in reverse. After buzzing past the Hollywood Sign, you can enjoy the view of the downtown skyline.
| Preliminaries | Takeoff | Assuming Control | Aerial View of LA | Hollywood Sign | DTLA | Santa Monica | Freeways Never Looked So Great | Landing | Plan Your Visit | Directions | FAQs |
Preliminaries
Before the flight lesson, you learn about aerodynamics (lift, thrust, drag) in ground school. Some flight schools also have a flight simulator where you can learn to fly an airplane and practice takeoffs and landings.
Takeoff
I step upon the wing of the Piper Arrow, a small, single-engine propeller plane, and then hop into the cockpit.
Now for the flight lesson. Fasten the seat belt, adjust the seat, shut the door, and plug the headset into the console. I pull the door toward me and leave a little crack open to let a breeze in the cabin. The flight instructor, Danny, runs through a checklist to test the major components of the airplane before takeoff. Propellers start spinning. I keep thinking this is the tiniest airplane I have ever been in. Air traffic control gives the green light and the plane taxis down the runway. The instructor pushes the throttle to full power and the plane picks up speed and feels light as a feather. The instructor pulls back on the yoke, and we are up in the air.
Assuming Control
The plane shakes under the shifting wind, and it lurches as we climb higher.
At about 2,000 feet, Danny asks me to take over. Without hesitation, I grab the yoke. I continuously make minor adjustments to maintain level flight.
An Aerial View of Los Angeles
Occasionally, the instructor tells me to head for specific landmarks and building clusters. A constant flow of wind rushes in through the front, which invigorates my spirit. The Hollywood Hills are to my right. At the end of the ridge, I bank the plane so we can look at the other side of the hills. I spot Griffith Observatory atop its southern perch of Mount Hollywood and marvel at how majestic it looks. With its purplish domes, golden travertine walls, and commanding view of the city, the observatory really is a crown upon LA.
The Hollywood Sign
At first, I see a white blur, and then the letters of the Hollywood Sign unfold in reverse. And then it hits me, I have just buzzed the Hollywood Sign. After sweeping by so close, I picture the hikers above the sign and wonder what they are thinking.
DTLA
As I look to my left, I rub my eyes, blink, and enjoy the view of the downtown skyline.
Santa Monica
I turn the plane toward the ocean and the Santa Monica Pier is directly in front of me. Sailboats pour out from Marina del Rey into the boundless Pacific. At the pier, I head north along the coastline toward Malibu. With the water on my left and the Santa Monica Mountains on my right, I admire the stately mansions on the cliff’s edge. I pull back on the yoke and watch the plane climb to over 3,000 feet.
Freeways Never Looked so Great!
Ultimately, the range flattens out and provides a perfect passageway back to the Valley. I turn again and follow the river-like 101 freeway. Looking below, there are so many backyard pools. It seems everywhere I turn, everywhere I look is another charming village or eclectic neighborhood. From this vantage point, I appreciate the beauty of the city in all its glorious sun-draped facets. The terrain here has nooks and crannies with plateaus topped with homes. Think about all the poor saps stuck in freeway traffic directly underneath.
Landing
The instructor takes control back and expertly lands the plane. And so concludes my aerial adventure above LA.
Plan Your Visit
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Directions
| From LA, follow the 101 N. After passing the 405, take exit 21 for Balboa Blvd toward Encino. Turn right onto Balboa Blvd and drive 3 miles. The flight academy will be on your right. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| What is included in the lesson? The discovery flight is designed for someone who wants experience flying for the first time. First, the FAA-certified instructor provides a pre-flight briefing. Next, the plane taxis down the runway and takes off. Then, you take control and fly the airplane. View the LA’s skyline from the air. |
| How much does the lesson cost? The discovery flight is $229 for one person and $299 for two people. |
| Tell me more about the Piper Arrow The Piper Arrow PA-28R-200 is a classic complex trainer with retractable gear, a constant speed propeller, and wing flaps. Its Lycoming IO-360 fuel-injected powerplant provides 200 hp. It has a cruising speed of 135 knots and carries 48 gallons of usable fuel. Commercial pilot applicants train on the Arrow to develop gear discipline, propeller management, and systems judgment. |
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