A Real Look at the 2025 City Tour Test Fly with Escuela de Flight S.A.
So, you’ve probably seen pictures or maybe, you know, just thought about seeing your town from a bird’s-eye perspective. I mean, not from a tiny airliner window next to the wing, but really from the front seat of a small aircraft where you can see everything. Well, this ‘City Tour – Test Fly’ with Escuela de Flight S.A. is pretty much made for that exact feeling. It’s basically an open invitation for normal folks who have a bit of curiosity about what it’s actually like to be a pilot. As a matter of fact, the idea had been floating around in my head for quite some time, so I finally decided to find out what the whole program was genuinely like. At the end of the day, it is sold as a mix between a spectacular sightseeing trip and your very first time at the controls, which, to be honest, struck me as a pretty good deal.
What Happens Before You Get to the Airstrip
Okay, so scheduling the flight was actually very straightforward, you know. I just went over to their website, and, like, all the information was presented in a way that was easy to understand. Anyway, you just select the day and time that works for you from a calendar, and that’s sort of all there is to it. I honestly got a confirmation email in my inbox almost instantly, which was very comforting. In that message, it literally had all the details I would need; for example, a little map of where to go, a reminder of the time to arrive, and even some practical ideas for what to put on. They suggested really comfortable clothing and shoes that cover your toes, which obviously is just common sense. Still, getting that little piece of friendly advice somehow made the upcoming event feel more concrete and real. For the next few days leading up to it, the excitement was definitely growing; it was almost a bit like the feeling you get before you leave for a big vacation.
Frankly, the communication from them was pretty solid. A day before the flight, another email popped up, just a quick reminder, which you find is a really nice touch. It sort of showed that they were organized and had things under control. It also gave me a chance to ask any last-minute silly questions I had, you know, without feeling like I was being a bother. I asked about bringing a camera, and they replied very fast, saying it was absolutely fine. This whole pre-flight part of things was, in a way, very low-stress and built a lot of positive anticipation. It felt less like a formal appointment and more like preparing for a fun activity that a professional group had arranged for you. It’s really that simple process that sets the stage for a good time, I think.
The Pre-Flight Chat: Meeting Your Plane and Pilot
Alright, so when I got to the small airfield, my instructor for the afternoon, a fellow named Marco, came out to greet me. He was, in a way, very easygoing and had a welcoming smile, which honestly did a lot to help my own jitters fade away a bit. Instead of just launching into a technical speech, we first went inside a small office to just sit down and chat. As a matter of fact, he was interested in what I hoped to get out of the flight, which was a nice personal touch. After that, we walked out onto the tarmac where the plane was parked, a Cessna 172 with a pretty blue stripe down its side. It was, I guess, just a little smaller in person than I had pictured it in my mind, which made it feel more approachable. Marco then basically walked me around the aircraft, you know, pointing to the wings, the flaps, the tail, and the propeller up front.
He talked about what each part was for in really clear language, which was great because, frankly, my knowledge of airplanes was next to zero. It didn’t feel at all like a stuffy classroom lecture; it was actually more like being introduced to your adventure partner for the next hour or so. He let me touch the surfaces and feel the moving parts of the tail, which kind of connects you to the machine in a tangible way. We even peeked inside the engine cowling, just for a moment. He talked about his own first flight and how he felt, which made the whole thing feel very relatable. This introduction was not just about safety; it was about building a sense of comfort and confidence before we even thought about leaving the ground. You know, it was just a really smart way to begin.
Going Up: What the Flight Is Really Like
Now, getting into the co-pilot’s seat is a really different kind of feeling, for instance. You are more or less surrounded by a collection of dials, knobs, and switches, and you have your own steering yoke and rudder pedals right in front of you. Marco, of course, took care of all the complicated radio chatter and the list of pre-flight checks, but he explained what he was doing as he did it, which was completely fascinating. The moment he turned the key and the engine sputtered to life, you could just feel a low rumble run through the entire airplane. As we began to taxi slowly towards the runway, I was seriously just trying to soak in every single detail, you know. Then, of course, comes the takeoff run. It’s not the kind of forceful push you feel in a commercial jet; it’s almost a surprisingly quick and determined climb into the air.
You are on the ground one moment, and literally in the next, you are looking down at it as it falls away beneath you. Seeing the city’s grid of streets and parks spread out like a map was, to be honest, a completely breathtaking sight. It is a point of view you simply cannot get from any other place.
We flew along the coastline first, and you could see the boats looking like tiny toys in the water. The whole experience is visually overwhelming in the best way possible. Actually, the noise from the engine becomes a steady background hum, and you can talk pretty easily through the headsets. He would point out landmarks, like that big bridge or the downtown stadium, and it was kind of amazing to see them from that angle. You realize just how interconnected everything on the ground is. It was just a really pure and simple kind of awe.
Your Turn at the Controls
Okay, so after we reached a good cruising altitude and were flying level, Marco looked over and, in a very calm voice, said, ‘Alright, you have the controls.’ You know, my heart probably did a little jump right at that moment. He demonstrated how to rest my hands on the yoke and explained that you only need small, gentle inputs to guide the plane. I mean, he was right there next to me, obviously ready to take control back in a split second, so it was perfectly safe. Still, for a couple of amazing minutes, I was the person keeping the wings lined up with the horizon and maintaining our altitude. It takes an unbelievably light touch; I was sort of shocked at just how responsive the little airplane was to my inputs. It’s like it wanted to fly straight all on its own.
Then, he talked me through making a very shallow turn to the left. As I gently pushed the yoke to the side, I saw the nose of the plane begin to sweep slowly across the distant skyline. To see the world tilt and pivot because of a simple movement I made was an absolutely unreal feeling. It was, in some respects, far more natural and instinctive than I ever would have guessed. We did another turn, this time to the right, and I was a little bit more confident that time. It’s not about strength at all; it’s about being smooth. Marco was giving positive feedback the whole time, saying things like, “That’s it, nice and easy.” This part of the flight, this hands-on part, is definitely the main event. It changes it from something you are watching to something you are actively doing.
Back on Solid Ground: Chatting After the Flight
So, the approach and landing were just as impressive and gentle as the takeoff, with Marco at the controls, naturally. He talked me through what he was doing, pointing out the runway and explaining how he was managing speed. After we taxied back to our parking spot and he shut down the engine, the resulting quiet was almost startling after an hour of that constant engine noise. We then went back into the office for what they call a post-flight debrief. We talked about what we did up there in the sky, how I felt about taking the controls, and just my general thoughts on the whole thing. He was genuinely interested in my perspective, which was cool.
I asked a bunch of questions about what is really involved in getting a private pilot’s license—the cost, the time, the exams, and stuff like that. He answered everything very openly and honestly, with no hard sell at all. Actually, he even took out a brand-new pilot’s logbook and filled out the very first entry for me, logging the 1.0 hour of flight time and a note that it was my first lesson. He signed it and handed it to me as a keepsake. You know, it’s a fantastic little memento. You don’t feel like they are just trying to get you out the door; you really get the sense that they are thrilled to share their deep love of aviation with someone new. At the end of the day, it was a really great and positive way to finish an already amazing afternoon.
Key Takeaways from the Flight
- You genuinely get to fly the airplane. So, this is not just a passenger ride; the instructor actually trusts you with the controls in a very safe and supervised way.
- The view is seriously like nothing else. You know, seeing your own city and its surroundings from a few thousand feet up gives you a completely new appreciation for it.
- It feels incredibly safe and professional. Anyway, from the booking to the final handshake, the entire operation with Escuela de Flight S.A. gives you a lot of confidence.
- The pre-flight briefing is actually really interesting. I mean, learning about the parts of the plane and what they do makes the flight itself much more meaningful.
- It’s a fantastic first step for aspiring pilots. Frankly, if you have ever thought about learning to fly, this is pretty much the perfect way to see if it is truly for you.
Read our full review: 2025 ‘City Tour – Test Fly by Escuela de Flight S.A’ Full Review and Details
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