Helicopter Discovery Flight (Non Vocational)
Your first helicopter lesson at North Perry Airport — fly a real helicopter in 30 minutes
Ever wondered what it feels like to fly a helicopter? A helicopter discovery flight puts you at the controls of a Schweizer 300C with an FAA-certified flight instructor by your side. No experience needed. You will hover, fly forward, and experience Miami from the air — all in a single session. Every minute counts toward your Private Pilot License (PPL-H) if you decide to continue training.
Pelican Flight Training has introduced thousands of students from over 50 countries to aviation since 1983.
Book online or call us to schedule your flight. Gift vouchers are available for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.
What Is a Helicopter Discovery Flight?
A helicopter discovery flight (also called an introductory flight or intro lesson) is a short, guided helicopter experience designed for people with zero flying experience. You sit in the pilot seat, take the controls under the supervision of an FAA-certified flight instructor (CFI), and actually fly the helicopter.
This is not a sightseeing tour. A discovery flight is a real flight lesson. Your instructor will teach you basic maneuvers — hovering, turns, and forward flight. Every minute of flight time is logged in an official pilot logbook and counts toward the 40 hours required for a Private Pilot License (PPL-H) under 14 CFR Part 61.
At Pelican Flight Training, discovery flights take place at North Perry Airport (KHWO) in Pembroke Pines, Florida — in the heart of the Miami metropolitan area. With 365 days of flyable weather, you can schedule your discovery flight any day of the year.
What’s Included in Your Flight
Every helicopter discovery flight at Pelican Flight Training includes:
- Pre-flight ground briefing (15 minutes) — learn the basics of helicopter controls, safety, and flight principles
- Helicopter walk-around inspection — see how a pilot checks the aircraft before every flight
- 30 minutes of actual flight time in the Schweizer 300C (or 60 minutes in the extended package)
- Hands-on flying — you will take the cyclic, collective, and pedals under instructor guidance
- Official logbook entry — flight time is recorded and counts toward your PPL-H
- Post-flight debrief — discuss what you learned and your next steps in helicopter training
- Photo opportunity with the helicopter before and after your flight
All fuel, aircraft time, and instructor time is included in the price. There are no hidden fees. Bring sunglasses and comfortable clothing — we provide everything else.
What to Expect — Step by Step
Here is exactly what happens when you arrive for your helicopter discovery flight at North Perry Airport:
The total experience takes approximately 1-1.5 hours from arrival to departure, depending on the package you choose. You are welcome to bring a guest to watch from the ground.
Pricing & Packages
Pelican Flight Training offers several helicopter discovery flight options. Choose the package that fits your goals:
- 15-min ground briefing
- 30 minutes of flight time
- Hands-on control experience
- Official logbook entry
- Post-flight debrief
- 20-min ground briefing
- 60 minutes of flight time
- Advanced maneuvers included
- Official logbook entry
- Extended debrief session
- Choose 30-min or 60-min
- Printable gift certificate
- Flexible scheduling
- Transferable
- No expiration hassle
All prices include aircraft rental, fuel, and instructor time. No hidden fees. Payment options include credit card, wire transfer, and cash. Contact our admissions team for group rates or corporate bookings.
It Counts Toward Your PPL-H
A helicopter discovery flight at Pelican Flight Training is not just a one-time experience — it is the first entry in your pilot logbook. Here is how it works:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Logbook Entry | Your discovery flight time is recorded as dual instruction in your official pilot logbook |
| Credit Toward PPL-H | 30 or 60 minutes count toward the FAA-required 40 hours of flight time for the PPL-H |
| Seamless Transition | If you enroll in the PPL-H program, training continues from where the discovery flight ended |
| No Wasted Time | Unlike sightseeing tours, every second of your discovery flight is real training |
Many of our students started exactly this way. A single discovery flight led them to earn their PPL-H, then Instrument Rating, then Commercial Pilot License (CPL-H) — and eventually a full career in helicopter aviation. Our Helicopter Professional Pilot Program takes you from zero to CFI in 18 months.
Who Is a Discovery Flight For?
Helicopter discovery flights are perfect for a wide range of people:
Ideal Candidates
- Aviation enthusiasts — you have dreamed about flying but have not taken the first step yet
- Career explorers — you are considering helicopter aviation as a career and want to confirm it is the right fit before committing to a full training program
- Airplane pilots — you already hold a PPL or CPL in airplanes and want to experience rotorcraft before pursuing a helicopter add-on rating
- Gift recipients — a helicopter flight makes an unforgettable birthday, anniversary, graduation, or holiday present
- Tourists in Miami — looking for a unique experience beyond the usual sightseeing
- International visitors — students exploring F1 visa flight training options in the United States often begin with a discovery flight to see the school firsthand
- Corporate groups — team-building events, executive experiences, and client entertainment
No prior flying experience, medical certificate, or special preparation is required. If you can ride in a car, you can take a discovery flight. The minimum age is 16 (with parental consent), and there is no maximum age.
Our Training Helicopter — Schweizer 300C
Your discovery flight takes place in the Schweizer 300C, one of the most widely used training helicopters in the world. Here is why Pelican Flight Training chose this aircraft:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Light piston helicopter, 3-seat configuration |
| Engine | Lycoming HIO-360, 190 horsepower |
| Visibility | Large bubble canopy — panoramic views on all sides |
| Controls | Dual controls (student + instructor) for safe dual instruction |
| Safety Record | Proven training platform used by the U.S. military and flight schools worldwide |
| Cost Efficiency | Lower hourly rate than turbine helicopters — more flight time for your budget |
The Schweizer 300C is the same helicopter used across all of our helicopter training programs. If you continue from your discovery flight to a full program, you will already be familiar with the aircraft. Learn more about our complete fleet.
Booking & Logistics
How to book your discovery flight
- Submit a request through our online form or call (305) 877-9069
- Our admissions team confirms your preferred date and time within 24 hours
- Complete payment to secure your slot
- Arrive at North Perry Airport on your scheduled day
What to bring
- Government-issued photo ID
- Sunglasses (recommended for Florida sun)
- Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes
- Camera or smartphone for photos (optional)
Good to know
- Weather: If conditions are not safe for flight, we reschedule at no extra cost. Miami averages 248 sunny days per year, so cancellations are rare.
- Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your flight. Contact us to reschedule.
- Guests: You may bring 1-2 guests to watch from the ground. They cannot ride in the helicopter during the discovery flight.
- Weight limit: Passengers must weigh under 250 lbs (113 kg) for the Schweizer 300C. Please contact us if you have questions.
- Language: Our instructors speak English. Translation support is available for international guests — contact us on WhatsApp to arrange.
Why Pelican Flight Training?
There are helicopter tour companies and small operators across Florida. Here is why a discovery flight at Pelican Flight Training is different:
- 40+ years of operation (since 1983) — one of the longest-running FAA-accredited flight schools in the United States
- Real flight school, not a tour company — your discovery flight is a genuine lesson with an FAA-certified instructor, not a scenic ride with a pilot who talks into a microphone
- Logbook credit — every minute counts toward your PPL-H, so nothing is wasted if you continue training
- 365 days of flying weather — Miami’s climate means you can fly any time of year
- International student expertise — we have trained pilots from 50+ countries and offer full F1 visa support
- Instructors trained in-house — every CFI at Pelican is a graduate of our own programs. Meet our team
- Clear path forward — if you fall in love with helicopter flying, we offer every rating from PPL-H through CFI-H and CFII-H at one school
Read what past students say about their experience on our reviews page, or see where our graduates are flying today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 30-minute helicopter discovery flight at Pelican Flight Training costs $350. The 60-minute extended discovery flight costs $499. Both prices include aircraft rental, fuel, instructor time, ground briefing, and post-flight debrief. See our payment options for details.
Plan for approximately 1-1.5 hours total. This includes check-in, a 15-20 minute ground briefing, the flight itself (30 or 60 minutes), and a post-flight debrief. The 60-minute package typically takes about 2 hours from arrival to departure.
Yes. You will sit in the pilot seat and take the controls (cyclic, collective, and anti-torque pedals) under your instructor’s direct supervision. Your instructor handles the radios and monitors safety at all times. This is a real flight lesson, not a tour. Learn more about our full helicopter training program.
Absolutely. Your instructor is an FAA-certified flight instructor with hundreds of hours of dual instruction experience. The Schweizer 300C has dual controls, so the instructor can take over instantly. Pelican Flight Training has maintained an excellent safety record across 40+ years of operations. See our FAA accreditation for details.
No prior experience is required. You do not need a medical certificate, student pilot certificate, or any aviation knowledge for a discovery flight. Those documents are only required when you enroll in a formal training program. Check our requirements page for details on full program eligibility.
Safety always comes first. If conditions are not safe for flight, we will reschedule your discovery flight at no extra cost. Miami averages 248 sunny days per year, so weather cancellations are rare. We will contact you in advance if a reschedule is necessary.
Guests are welcome to come to the airport to watch and take photos from the ground. However, the Schweizer 300C has 2 seats configured for training (student + instructor), so passengers cannot ride along during the flight. If you and a friend both want to fly, you can each book a separate discovery flight back-to-back.
Yes. We offer gift vouchers for helicopter discovery flights. Vouchers are valid for 12 months, transferable, and come with a printable certificate. It is one of the most unique gifts you can give. Contact us to purchase a gift voucher.
Yes. Your discovery flight is logged as dual instruction time in an official pilot logbook. It counts toward the 40 hours of flight time required for the Helicopter Private Pilot License (PPL-H). If you decide to enroll, you pick up exactly where you left off.
Helicopter pilots work in EMS/air ambulance, law enforcement, offshore oil and gas, tourism, utility/powerline inspection, firefighting, and corporate transport. Starting salaries range from $50,000 to $80,000, with experienced pilots earning $100,000+. The pilot demand for helicopter pilots continues to grow. Start with a discovery flight and see if this career path is right for you.
Many first-time fliers share this concern. Most people find that the enclosed cockpit and the focus on flying the aircraft makes the height far less noticeable than standing on a tall building. Your instructor controls the pace — if you need to take it slow, that is perfectly fine. Thousands of students have started at Pelican with the same worry and gone on to earn their private pilot license.
Absolutely. A discovery flight is a great way for airplane pilots to experience rotorcraft before committing to a helicopter add-on rating. Your fixed-wing experience gives you a head start — you already understand airspace, radios, and weather. The main difference is learning to hover. Talk to our admissions team about add-on rating pathways.
Ready to Fly a Helicopter?
Book your discovery flight today and find out what it feels like to take the controls of a real helicopter. No experience required — just bring your curiosity.
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Welcome to Pelican Flight Training, Florida's premier flight school offering one of the best training programs for pilots from around the world. We offer a structured program that will take you all the way from private pilot rank to ATP and airline readiness.
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