Pilots are the cowboys of the air, roaming the wide-open skies and herding children’s runaway balloons. Giddy up, up, and away with today’s Groupon: for $139, you get an introductory-flight experience from Out of the Blue Aviation in Arlington (a $313.85 total value, including tax). The experience includes the following:
- One hour of ground training with a certified flight instructor (a $56 value).
- One hour of aircraft time (a $139 value) with a certified flight instructor (a $56 value).
- A hat (a $20 value).
- A latte (a $4 value).
- A logbook (a $4 value).
- A certificate with picture (a $10 value).<p>
Out of the Blue Aviation’s certified flight instructors rack up thousands of hours of flight experience before teaching fledgling pilots the art of aircrafting. During one hour of ground instruction, students can absorb knowledge through osmosis by bear-hugging a pilot or by undergoing the effective Cessna training program, which blends the use of ground study modules with detailed informational videos. After ground training, students and instructors board one of six modern, carefully maintained aircraft, including a classic Aeronca Champ and two Cessna 172 planes. During one hour of flight time, plane-whisperers can fly northeast to scenic Mount Baker, or sail over the San Juan Islands where pilots often witness troublemaking whales squirting birds and low-flying UFOs. Participants receive a latte to slurp, a logbook in which to record flight hours, a hat, and a certificate emblazoned with their own image. The hour of airtime can also count toward the procurement of a piloting license. Students can bring friends along on the flight for an additional $25 per person.