Before airplanes, humankind's failed attempts at conquering the heavens included wearing aerodynamic beaks and hanging onto large balloons filled with hundreds of angry bats. Overcome avian envy with today's Groupon: for $175, you get a two-hour introductory flight lesson from Empire Flight Academy in Farmingdale (a $349 value). The flight package includes:

• One hour in a Frasca SR-22 Simulator (a $60 value)
• One hour of live flight in the state-of-the-art Cirrus SR20-GTS (a $179 value)
• Guided instruction throughout (a $110 value for two hours’ guided instruction)

With state-of-the-art flight simulators and a fleet of advanced aircraft, Empire Flight Academy trains aeronautic apprentices in the invigorating art of airborne transit. The private introductory lesson begins with a one-hour session in the Frasca SR-22 simulator, which accurately emulates in-flight conditions as a Cirrus-certified instructor walks students through basic functions such as straight and level flight, climbs, turns, and navigational principles. Once educated in the simulator session, patrons take to the air in a Cirrus SR20-GTS, a glass-cockpit general-aviation airplane. Pilots-to-be pirouette through the stratosphere at speeds of up to 150 knots under the guidance of a sky sherpa, practicing maneuvers mastered in the simulation. Trainees should allow a total of 2.5 hours for the lesson to ensure adequate time for quality aircraft bonding.