Discovery Flights
Take the Controls: Discovery Flights at Burnet Municipal Airport.
Experience the thrill of flight and start your journey toward a pilot ratings with Austin Aviation Training.
What is a Discovery Flight?
A discovery flight is more than just a scenic tour of the Texas Hill Country – it is your first official lesson in becoming a pilot. At Austin Aviation Training, we believe the best way to see if flying is for you is to put you in the pilot’s seat.
Under the guidance of one of our FAA-certified flight instructors, you won’t just be a passenger; you will actually take the controls and experience the sensation of flight firsthand. From the pre-flight inspection to the moment you touch down at Burnet Municipal Airport, you’ll get a comprehensive look at what it’s like to be a student pilot in our program.
Why Choose a Discovery Flight at KBMQ?
Choosing to fly out of Burnet Municipal Airport (KBMQ) offers unique advantages for new pilots in the Austin and Central Texas area:
- Loggable Flight Time: Because this is a legitimate flight lesson, the time you spend in the air can be logged in your pilot logbook and counts toward the requirements for your pilot certificate.
- Technologically Advanced Fleet: You will be flying in our Pipistrel Alpha Trainers. These are brand-new, modern aircraft equipped with the latest avionics, ensuring you learn on the cutting edge of aviation technology.
- No “Austin Traffic” in the Sky: Unlike flying out of busier airports in Austin, training at KBMQ means less time waiting on the taxiway and more time in the air. You’ll enjoy clear skies and beautiful views of Lake Buchanan and the surrounding Highland Lakes area.
- Flexible Financing: We want to make your dreams attainable. If you decide to continue your training after your introductory flight, we offer financing options through Flight Training Finance to help you manage the cost of your ratings.
What to Expect
Ground Briefing
Meet your instructor, a pre-flight inspection of the aircraft, and a brief overview of the avionics controls.
Flight
Spend 45-60 minutes in the air where you fly the plane under supervision.
Post-Flight Debrief
Discuss the flight, answer questions, and make a plan for next steps in your training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discovery flights are $249, all-inclusive, and you can bring an additional person (separate flight) for an additional $149.
Yes, our training aircraft have a weight limit of 242lbs per seat. Contact us if you would like to discuss alternate aircraft.
Not for a discovery flight! You only need a medical certificate when you are ready to fly solo (usually around 10–15 hours into training).
Our Pipistrel Alpha Trainers are two-seat aircraft (just you and the instructor), which allows for a focused, high-quality learning environment. Friends and family are more than welcome to wait at the airport and take photos of your takeoff and landing! We can accommodate one additional person in the same appointment for an additional $149. They will fly separately from you, either before or after.
Wear comfortable, casual clothing and closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops). Most importantly, bring non-polarized sunglasses; polarized lenses can make it hard to read the glass cockpit screens in our aircraft!
Safety is our top priority. If the winds are too high or the clouds are too low at KBMQ, your instructor will contact you to reschedule at no additional cost.
It’s less common than you’d think! We recommend eating a light meal beforehand and staying hydrated. If you feel uneasy, your instructor is trained to help and can land the plane at any time.
There is no FAA minimum age to start flight lessons or take a discovery flight! However, you must be 16 to fly solo and 17 to earn your Private Pilot License. We typically recommend students be at least 12–14 years old to reach the controls comfortably.
For a discovery flight, no. However, if you decide to continue training, the TSA requires us to verify citizenship or go through a background check process (AFSP). We can walk you through this during your debrief!
Your instructor will sit down with you after the flight to create a custom training plan. We’ll get you set up on our training portal and discuss financing options to get you in the air consistently.