Choose your flight
MOST POPULAR
Intro Flight — 30 min
First time in the cockpit
See FlightCircle
Booked and paid through FlightCircle
- Pre-flight aircraft walkthrough
- Hands-on time at the controls
- Debrief with your instructor
- Red Tail Roost experience
FULL EXPERIENCE
Intro Flight — 60 min
More airtime, more learning
See FlightCircle
Booked and paid through FlightCircle
- Extended hands-on flight time
- Basic maneuvers and navigation
- Full debrief + next-step guidance
- SUFS enrollment consult on site
MAA PROGRAM
MAA Orientation Flight
For enrolled MAA students
See FlightCircle
Part of the MAA program sequence
- Structured first flight lesson
- Aligned to PPL training syllabus
- Logged flight time (with CFI)
- SUFS scholarship may apply
DRONE + FLIGHT
Drone TRUST + Intro Flight
Two programs in one day
See FlightCircle
Drone certification + discovery flight combo
- FAA TRUST drone certification
- 1-hour drone intro session
- Discovery flight in N7480X
- Full Saturday experience
What to expect on the day
Every discovery flight starts and ends at Tampa North Aero Park (X39) — our home field.
1
Arrive at X39
Check in at the MAA facility at 4639 Birdsong Blvd, Lutz FL. Parking GPS: 4661 Birdsong Blvd. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
2
Pre-flight walkthrough
Your instructor walks you through the aircraft — the Red Tail Roost, N7480X, a 1960 Cessna 172B in Tuskegee P-51 tribute scheme. You learn what you're about to fly.
3
You take the controls
In the air, your instructor hands you the controls. You fly. Not ride — fly. Most students handle basic maneuvers on their first flight.
4
Debrief + next steps
After landing, your instructor debriefs the flight and talks through what a full PPL or career path looks like. SUFS scholarship enrollment support available on site — most eligible families pay $0.
The Red Tail Roost — N7480X
A 1960 Cessna 172B Skyhawk painted in the tribute scheme of the Tuskegee Airmen's P-51 Mustang. The only aircraft of its kind in the Tampa Bay area — and the aircraft every MAA student flies first.
1960Year built
172BModel
N7480XTail number
X39Home base
Common questions
How old do you have to be to fly?
Discovery flights are open to ages 6 and up. There is no minimum age to be a passenger in the aircraft with an instructor. Solo flight requires age 16 for a student pilot certificate.
Do I need any experience?
None. Discovery flights are designed for people who have never been in a small aircraft. Your instructor handles everything — you just show up.
Can a parent or guardian come?
Yes. Parents are welcome at X39 to watch the pre-flight and meet the instructor. The aircraft seats 3 (pilot + 2 passengers) — a second passenger can ride along for an additional fee depending on weight and balance.
Can SUFS cover the cost?
SUFS (Step Up For Students) scholarships can be applied to eligible MAA programming. Discovery flights for enrolled program students may qualify. Contact admissions to confirm eligibility — most eligible families pay $0.
What if the weather is bad?
Safety is the only priority. If weather prevents safe flight, we reschedule at no penalty. FlightCircle handles booking — you will receive a notification if your flight needs to move.