Discovery Instructional Flights
Flight Options
Bay Area Gyro offers a range of different discovery flights, in both closed- and open-cockpit gyros and with different duration options. All serve as an introduction to the gyro, offering you the opportunity to experience the unique capabilities and sensations of flying in a modern gyroplane. Technically all are an introductory flying lesson and you will have the opportunity to try taking the controls and experiencing flying the gyro for yourself.
Got questions? Browse our FAQs to learn more
30 MINUTES
This is a taster for those who want a brief experience in the gyroplane but are not ready yet to commit to more; perhaps someone wanting to see how confident they feel, or a spouse wanting a quick introduction. We understand that each case will be different and will tailor the brief flight to give you a useful but beautiful experience in the sky.
THE TEST DRIVE
The TEASER
60 MINUTES
This option includes in its pre-flight briefing an intro to the concepts of gyroplane flying, as well as the usual safety topics. You then climb into the gyroplane for your 60 minute flight. Trip details will vary according to the weather and conditions on the day but will typically include flying to the coast, seeing the scenery from different heights, a demonstration of the typical maneuvers performed in the gyro and perhaps some low-level flight over a beach. Flights can be adjusted to the participant’s requirements.
The TEST DRIVE
90-120 MINUTES
This is the full gyroplane experience and in addition to the items to the left, can include a trip further afield. Perhaps a trip along the Pacific coastline plus flying up the Russian River? Or a flight above the wine villages of the Sonoma and Napa Valleys? Or maybe to San Francisco? Amazingly, light aircraft are allowed to fly over the Golden Gate bridge, the Bay and Alcatraz, offering incredible views of the city of San Francisco, all from typically 800-2000 feet altitude.
The FULL MONTY
If you want to customize your flight - to go for longer (or shorter), to fly over your house, or to have your partner take a turn too - just ask. Pricing is adjusted based on the flight time. A two hour flight will of course cost more than a 90 min flight, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which gyroplane should I choose to go up in?
We have two options: an open-cockpit tandem craft where you will sit behind the pilot and a closed cockpit, side-by-side option. Elsewhere in this website you will see pictures of the first as the yellow aircraft and the second as the blue one. So which is "better"?
Well that depends on what you would like to get out of the experience! They're both great and both have advantages. Many people want to try them both and we're happy to arrange that. But the summary is really:
Open-cockpit:
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This is the "motorbike in the sky" gyro. It's a more visceral, raw experience. Look over either side of the airrcraft and you're looking straight down - great for people who want to truly experience being in the sky and flight at its purest.
Closed-cockpit:​
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This is more like being in a car rather than a motorbike. There are doors and you are not sitting directly in the air and feeling the wind. You still have spectacular visibility but you will not be quite as "in" the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (cont)
Is it scary?
Initially the experience can feel a little overwhelming, particularly in the open-cockpit craft. However, after a short period of time, most people love it and are excited by the unique perspective it offers. Flights can be cut short at any point if the participant decides they would rather be on the ground, but in all my years of flying gyroplanes, this has happened precisely once.
Can I take photos during the flight?
Phones/Cameras. People often want to know if they can take photos and the general answer is yes. However, if you are in the open-cockpit yellow gyro, you can only do this if the camera/phone involved has a secure strap. Because the propellor is behind us and it will suck anything dropped into it. Not only will that destroy the phone, but also the propellor. And then we become a glider - not recommended for a first flight!
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Can I talk to the pilot during the flight?
Yes absolutely. In both types of gyro you will be fitted with a noise-cancelling headset and microphone system so that you can communicate clearly, ask questions and raise any issues.
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Can I bring my significant other or a friend to get a Discovery Flight in the gyroplane too?
Yes, this is highly encouraged. If you are considering buying a gyro or getting trained in one, bring a friend, spouse or significant other along - once they see how amazing these machines are; you both will fall in love with the experience!
I like the sound of the full experience of the open-cockpit but what else should I know about it?
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There are a few things that are specific to the open-cockpit experience
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There’s a lot of wind. We will be doing between 70 and 100 mph through the air. There’s a windshield but if you stick your head over the side, you’re in the full wind.
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Partly due to the wind, it always feels much cooler up in the sky than on the ground. Always dress for the wind, and assume it’s going to be 10-15 degrees cooler than it is on the ground. The general rule except in the middle of summer is to dress as though you’re going skiing and wear a windproof outer layer.
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I’ve heard helicopters are complex to fly and require constant attention with both hands and feet involved. Are gyroplanes like that?
No. A gyroplane can fly pretty-much hands-off. The principles involved and the physical controls are simpler, primarily because the rotor is “fixed” in its pitch angle. A gyroplane’s rotor is in constant autorotation - an amazing safety feature. This means that if a gyroplane loses engine power, this is really a non-event; the rotor keeps spinning without a pilot needing to intervene; we drift down and can land in a small area compared with other aircraft. In a helicopter, the pilot would have mere seconds to adjust the collective to enable autorotation.
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Does a Discovery flight commit me to doing flight training?
No, it’s a standalone thing - you’re only signing up for the Discovery flight itself. However, if you choose to continue on to our training program, your discovery flight time will count towards your initial training hours. Note that the times mentioned here are the times in the gyro itself and do not include ground preparation, safety briefings etc. Allow an extra 30 mins+ for this.
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL
"I’ve been a private pilot since 1987 and have flown more than 20 different types of Aeroplanes, from gliders to light twins plus a turbine-powered military jet. Of the 1200+ hours of flying that I have enjoyed over the years, flying with Paul and his bright yellow Magni M-16 has been the most exciting flying I’ve ever done."
- Robert B., Pilot
