Dulles Aviation, Inc.

Had introductory flying lesson today for 14-​year-​old son. I sat in back taking videos and photos with his 8-​year-​old sister. $ 90. Including ground orientation, pre-​flight checks, post-​flight activities, we spent about 2 hours, no more than 30 minutes in the air (probably 20).
Instructor let boy taxi, take off, fly around to a practice approach, wave-​off, then around again and landing. If the instructor actually applied any inputs to the controls, I couldn’t see it. He may have, but not much, instructing the boy over the headset on everything to do. So, it’s hands-​on, and the boy loved it. The plane was a Cessna 172.
I felt very confident in the instructor. My wife commented that the whole operation — office, store, etc. — was quite hospitable. I know I liked the place. Pre-​flight included orientation to the facilities, how to check weather, how to get a license and kinds of careers available, then the actual checklist out on the field (flaps, tires, fuel, oil, untie, and stuff inside the cabin I couldn’t really track from the back seat). Into the plane, taxi out, and off we went.
I can’t compare it to any other flight school anywhere. My rating is 5 stars because I wasn’t disappointed in any way and found no reason to complain about anything. I have skydived numerous times, so I’ve been around some airplane operations and safety procedures in demanding technical activities of this sort. I know I felt confident, thought we got a good first lesson and a good introduction to private flight facilities and operations — a serious business but also fun. I want to do it for myself, now, and the boy will be back to further his instruction after he saves a bit more money :)

On my neverending bucket list has always lingered my dream of learning how to fly a plane. It’s an expensive, time consuming process that keeps it low on my list, consistently getting bumped lower by the reality that even if I learned how to fly a plane, I would never realistically be able to take advantage of having a pilot’s license. Maybe, one day when I have a million dollars.
Whether you want to be Tom Cruise in Top Gun or Charlie Sheen in Hot Shotz, Dulles Aviation provides a great little teaser in the form of an introductory flying lesson. It’s an affordable way to satiate that dream of flying, a way to see if this whole flying thing is really worth your time and money. I think the price of this lesson is about $ 70, and includes a tour of the facility, some basic instruction on the whole process of becoming a pilot, and then its off to pile into a Cessna with you, a friend, and a flying instructor. You’ll get the chance to run through the whole take off, flying, and landing process under the guidance of the flying instructor. You fly one way from Manassas Regional Airport to Culpeper, your friend flies back. Or, if you want the whole plane to yourself, I think you can pay extra to do so.
Regardless of whether you actually want to be a pilot, or if this is just a diversion on a random weekend, its a once in a lifetime experience. The rush you get as you take off, the power you feel having control of a smaller aircraft like the Cessna, and the views below, are breathtaking.
[Note: I actually did this several years ago, but finally remembered to review it now. The website indicates that they still do these flying lessons, but obviously please call to confirm]