Flight College Discovery Week
A one-week hands-on introduction to aviation — for anyone who's ever wondered what it's like to actually fly.
The Overview
Five days, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, at Flight College's home base in Terrell, TX. Students go from "what does a control stick even do" on Monday to two real discovery flights logged by Friday — one in a fixed-wing airplane, one in a helicopter — plus a head start on their actual FAA paperwork. Every day is hands-on, not a passive tour.
What a Week Looks Like
Monday — Fundamentals
Ground-school basics taught the fun way: how lift actually works, traffic patterns, radio communication (including the phonetic alphabet), a weather-basics session on why pilots make go/no-go calls, and a crash course in reading airport signs and markings.
Tuesday — Behind the Scenes with A&P Mechanics
Students shadow real aircraft mechanics on the shop floor with real tools and real work orders, plus a hands-on aircraft-systems session — then a BBQ lunch together.
Wednesday — Airspace, Museum & Build Day
A classroom deep-dive into how airspace and air traffic control actually work, a visit to the Terrell Airport Museum, and an afternoon building and flying electric-motor balsa gliders — capped off with a distance/accuracy competition and awards.
Thursday — Fixed-Wing Discovery Flight
Every student takes the controls of an airplane, in the air, with a certified flight instructor right beside them. The day wraps with a careers conversation and the start of each student's FAA IACRA application.
Friday — Helicopter Discovery Flight
Same hands-on flight experience, this time in a helicopter — and students finish and submit their FAA IACRA paperwork before the week wraps up.
Why This Program Stands Out
Two real discovery flights, not one — fixed-wing and rotorcraft, so students get a genuine feel for both worlds of aviation Real progress toward an actual FAA credential — students (16 and older) walk away having started their real Student Pilot Certificate application, not just a certificate of attendance.
They'll receive a Student Pilot Certificate in the mail 2-3 weeks after program. Real mechanics, real aircraft, real hands-on building — no simulators standing in for the real thing A true taste of a career path — daily conversations about what it actually looks like to become a professional pilot or A&P mechanic
Good For
Teens and young adults curious about aviation as a hobby or a career, gift-experience shoppers looking for something unforgettable, and families wanting a genuinely different kind of week.