Willamette Aviation
Aurora State Airport, Oregon
Book your first flight today! Call us at 503-678-2252 or email info@willametteair.com!
You also can click here to purchase an online gift certificate!
Book your your first flight today! Call us at 503-678-2252 or email info@willametteair.com!
Discovery Flights
For many people, the toughest part of becoming a pilot is the first part.
You're thinking about flying. Maybe you're passionate about it.
Or you might wonder if it's the right thing for you. Maybe you have no idea what to do next.
If any of this sounds familiar, it's perfectly normal.
Even the most experienced pilots can remember their first time at the controls, when they made the decision to stop thinking about flying and actually take command of an airplane.
Your first time in the pilot's seat will be a day you will never forget.
Our Discovery Flights are affordably priced at just $299. It's a comprehensive flight experience — not just a scenic hop over a few local farms.
We don't restrict you to one or two of our smaller planes for a Discovery Flight — you are invited to fly any airplane in our fleet, so long as it's one that's appropriate for Private Pilot flight training.
This includes our four-seat Cessna 172 Skyhawks, so you're more than welcome to invite one or two passengers to join you on your journey! (If bringing two passengers, please contact us about weight restrictions.)
Your First Flight
On a Discovery Flight, you will:
- Meet with a Certified Flight Instructor, who will answer any questions you have about General Aviation airplanes and flight training;
- Practice taxiing your airplane to the "run-up" pad near the runway (you probably won't do it well, but it will be an amusing memory when you master it later);
- Execute a typical "run-up" test of your airplane and a standard takeoff, with your hands on the controls (your instructor will help you);
- Fly to another airport, not far from Aurora State, to log your first landing (with your instructor's assistance to assure a safe arrival), and then another exciting takeoff;
- Perform straight-and-level flight, standard turns, and a return to the Aurora Airport, with your hands on the controls;
- Log your second landing on the active runway at Aurora State;
- Receive your initial pilot's logbook, with the time you have flown credited toward the hours you will accumulate for your Private Pilot certificate.
A Discovery Flight is your first lesson as a student pilot. You can expect take your new pilot's logbook home with a sense of accomplishment.
Call us at (503) 678-2252, or e-mail info@willametteair.com if you are ready to take the controls.
Discovery Flights also make a great gift for that special person who is ready to learn how to fly. Our online gift certificates are just a click away.
Discovery Plus
If your Discovery Flight at Willamette Aviation is a special day for you or a gift for someone who's always wanted to fly, we are pleased to offer two additional options for your adventure:
Fly within Portland Airspace: The airspace surrounding the Portland Metro area is managed by Air Traffic Control at PDX. Discovery pilots will learn about the dimensions of the airspace, and they will listen to communications with PDX as they fly over downtown Portland and return to the Aurora State Airport.
Fly the Cessna 177 Cardinal: Our Cessna 177 Cardinal RG II is a high-performance/complex airplane, which makes it an ideal cross-country platform. Most pilots won't do their primary training in a Cardinal RG, but it frequently makes the shortlist of planes to fly after becoming a Private Pilot. The Cardinal also boasts comfortable seating for one or two back-seat passengers (please contact us about weight restrictions if bringing two guests).
Discovery + options are an additional $50 each. Please let us know if you would like to add one or both Discovery + features to your flight.
Flight Lab Discovery
Discovery Pilots who would like to enhance their flight experience can schedule a Flight Lab Discovery, where they will work with a Certified Flight Instructor in our Flight Lab to review aircraft components, instruments, and controls — all within an immersive flight simulator with 180° wrap-around screens.
Discovery in the Flight Lab includes an introduction to climbs, level-off, turns, and descents. Discovery Pilots also will practice taxiing and takeoff within an accurate digital model of the Aurora State Airport.
Discovery Pilots who add a Flight Lab Discovery to their experience will fly for the first time with additional knowledge as they execute turns, roll-outs, and power changes. They also can expect more confidence with taxi operations.
Flight Lab Discovery is just $148. It includes a preflight briefing on the aircraft and flight environment, followed by 45 minutes of simulator flight.
Booking a Discovery Flight is not required. You can schedule a Flight Lab Discovery and decide later if a Discovery Flight is in your future.
If you plan to book both, a Discovery Flight can be scheduled on the same day as a Flight Lab Discovery or on any day after.
We have room in the Flight Lab for observers, so feel free to invite one or two guests!
To schedule a Flight Lab Discovery, please email flightlab@willametteair.com.