Flying is a lot like having a staring contest: even with utter concentration, you’ll never be better at it than birds. Go toe-to-beak with our winged companions with today's Groupon: for $60, you get a one-hour discovery flight lesson with Exec 1 Aviation in Ankeny (a $125 value).

Exec 1 Aviation's professional flight instructors lead discovery flights, which take prospective aviators to the cloud kingdom to show the thrill and ease of flying a plane. Over the course of the one-hour discovery flight, prodigal pilots will experience the thrill of liftoff without the time investment in flight academy or the empty promises of moon shoes. The air chariot is a Cessna 172 two-seater aircraft with bench seating in the back, good for up to two additional passengers or one looking to take a high-altitude snoozer. Fliers who want the view without the responsibility can opt to have their instructor take the helm. With this mini flight school, aviation junkies curious about earning their wings can take the first step, and those just giddy about gliding with cloud goats can achieve the experience with the throttle in their hands.