Humans struggled to gain access to the sky, believing that to enjoy the celestial playground they had to shimmy up sunbeams or apply for the job of Apollo. Skip the line with today's Groupon: for $130, you get a flight lesson valid for one or two people from GT Aviation, LLC, located in Fort Washington (a $259.80 value).

The FAA-certified flight instructors at GT Aviation, LLC launch novice pilots safely skyward during each lesson. Students begin in the brick-and-mortar flight school, where teachers versed in the FAA curriculum impart basic knowledge of plane instruments and functions. Pupils then hop into the cockpit of an aircraft for an hour of in-flight training, taking the controls, revving the engine, and singing "Danger Zone" as they ascend into the atmosphere. Upon cresting the clouds, high fliers swoop over the Potomac River while honing navigation skills under the instructor's watchful eye. The lesson whets appetites for adventure in the wild blue yonder, and allows prospective pilots to test their mettle and develop witty in-flight banter before beginning the journey toward complete FAA certification.