Studies have shown that traveling to a high altitude greatly improves one’s odds of completing a corn maze, finding a parking spot, and befriending a lonely weather balloon. Gain a new, lofty perspective with today's Groupon: for $187, you get a one-hour introductory flight lesson from Travel Express Aviation (a $365 value). Flights take off from DuPage Airport in West Chicago.

Travel Express Aviation provides hands-on flight instruction to would-be pilots of all experience levels. An FAA-certified flight instructor guides patrons through 30 minutes of ground training followed by 30 minutes of in-flight instruction. Sky captains-in-training take the helm of a high-tech, dual Garmin-navigation screen Cirrus SR22 aircraft to conquer Chicagoland's skies in style. Every Cirrus plane includes a standard parachute that safely guides the craft and its inhabitants to terra firma in case of an emergency or an emergency hot dog craving.