I purchased a flight lesson from Horizon Aviation for my partner for his birthday in 2022, but he…read moredidn't redeem his lesson until this fall. I got him the "Airman's Flight" package which is a full one-hour introductory flight lesson, including pre-flight briefing, takeoff, meander around Rhode Island, landing, & post-flight debriefing. It was $250 & I think it was worth the cost. We had a bit of a scheduling snafu - We booked the lesson almost a month in advance, but leading up to the lesson, we were told that we were on the waitlist for that day. How could that be? We booked over a month prior. We wouldn't specifically book a date that would put us on a waitlist. With our busy schedules, we need certainly. The man on the phone, George, made some moves & scheduled us for the following week. No biggie. We arrived early to the lesson & my partner was introduced to Eugene, the flight instructor. His pre-flight briefing was extensive & informative. We joked that flying a plane was "just like driving a boat, right?" We got to see the hangar, where the planes sleep. Just kidding. But it's a cute idea I can't shake from my head. Nap zone for planes. I got to sit in the back of the plane & be the ultimate passenger princess. I took one million photos, including some selfies, & even spotted my dad's house below. We only reached an altitude of about 5,000 feet, I think. I was lost in my own world, but from the snippets I overheard, Eugene was a wonderful instructor. My partner did some taxi-ing on the tarmac, takeoff, & lots of meandering. Eugene took care of the landing. It was truly an hour lesson. No less. We flew all the way down the coast, past Misquamicut, and then back again. This hour counts towards my partner's flight training (he received a flight log) if he ever wants to pursue this further. Overall, a wonderful experience, even for just the passenger princess. Well worth the money. I highly recommend as a gift or date idea. Or for anyone feeling adventurous. Thanks Horizon Aviation Team. A+!

I have been shopping around for a flight school and came by for their hangar days / air show last…read moresummer. The staff was friendly and attentive. They also organized a free tour of the ATC tower at PVD which I took and was very impressed. When I am ready to pull the trigger this school is at the top of my list!

This is a must do, you have to go see Doug (founder). I had many flight instructors but not one of…read morethem made me feel like I was utilizing my money to the fullest. Then I met Doug, I don't care what your learning curve may be, you will find it with Doug. I started flying with him at a different school, when I heard he moved on I couldn't fly with anyone else. A few years later I managed my funds appropriately only to find out Doug opened Air Ventures. I again started flying with him, after a few short weeks my confidence behind the yoke is already through the roof. From my Instrument rating, I will continue on to my Commercial License, from my Commercial license to my CFI. The sky is the limits with Air Ventures!!! Big thanks to Doug -Alan-

From the owner: Air Ventures Flying School was founded in 2010, born from a desire to foster an environment that…read moreapproached aviation differently. We love aviation. Your initial pilot training is the start of your journey and has the largest impact on your overall success, whether you're planning to fly for fun or make it into a career. It's our objective to set you up for long term success after you earn your wings.

Sorry, No TL;DR... review is too long, it won't fit!…read more Anyways... I am going to try and cover three things in this review... my experience at Horizon, experience with flying, and safety of flying (note: I am not a pro, this is based on my observations) Scheduling was a breeze, they are open 7 days a week, and while officially they close at 5, I was offered a 6PM time slot (had scheduled a 10:30, called to see if it was possible for me to re-schedule) I really like that I was asked to pay after my lesson. Not even right before I went in the airplane, but after I was already back on the ground. To me, this goes to say that they are more in the business for the flying than just making some bucks off the students. The person at the desk explained everything in terms of next steps from an administrative/financial perspective should I continue this, such as booking lessons and prices. The instructor explained what I'd be learning in subsequent lessons after the flight. Alright, the flight lesson... I booked the Airman's package... I highly recommend this one as compared to the regular discovery flight. You have 30 minutes more flying time for a cost of $50 more than the $99 half-hour flight. Time flies (pun intended), so value is important. If you are serious about trying this, go for the Airman's package. If a friend put you up to it, or you lost a bet, or it's just a regular ol' bucket list item, then the 30-minute flight might be better. My flight instructor was Victoria, and she was awesome! She went over a flight plan, which would take me over the ocean slightly, then over Gillette Stadium, and then back to the airport. After this it was right to the airplane, which was a 97' Cessna 172R. She was very competent, answered all my questions, and was just friendly! What I also very highly appreciate is that the 60 minutes were in the airplane. There was no time out of those 60 minutes spent on other things. Most of the pre-flight (aside from a couple quick- and necessary checks) were already completed, and the airplane was fueled. Once the pre-flights were done, tower was called, prop was started, and the instructor taxied out to the runway. I got to do part of the takeoff, which was really neat. The instructor handled the pedals (to keep plane on center-line) I gave the plane power, and pulled back on the yoke (a steering wheel in a plane) when the time was right (60-ish knots). From then on out and until we went in for landing, I had control of the airplane, with the instructor helping out with minor adjustments, radios, and throttle. I was allowed to control the airplane, both in turns, and in maintaining course and altitude. This may seem like a piece of cake, and it is... after you've completed the lesson. It's just like learning to drive... it's a piece of cake once you have a feel for cars... if you've never been in a plane like this before, most of it is getting a feel for everything. Flying itself was a blast. Taking off in a commercial airliner is fun because it's like a roller coaster. Here, you do not have that physical sensation... as the plane of only going at ~70MPH at takeoff (as opposed to ~200 for a commercial airliner. The sensation is more psychological, and it is a thrill to take off, and start to soar above the world. What distinguishes it from commercial is that YOU are doing the flying. Once at altitude, it's rather serene, but doesn't get boring because you are still focusing on maintaining course and altitude, as it was on this day, where there were light winds... which have a surprisingly noticeable (although not severe) effect. Now, for safety... Victoria makes the claim that flying is safer than driving, and I agree with her. What it comes down to is this... there are more things that can go wrong in a plane, certainly. But there are many more safety measures to save you in these cases. Airplanes have two of almost everything, two magnetos, two radios, and loads of instruments that cover at least in part what some other instrument does. Even bigger than that is control... in a car you drive based only on your judgements and perceptions. In a plane you have control, and you can hear other planes on the radio, so you know what they are planning to do. Also, any change in course has to be approved by control, so people aren't going to, or at least really shouldn't change course or altitude on a whim. Pre-flight on these things is really intense. Everything is checked... instruments/gauges, engine, brakes, magnetos, mechanicals (do the yoke and pedals control everything normally, do flaps work). This is before every flight... unlike a car where you only so something when there is a warning light, strange sound, or to change the inspection sticker. Oh yes, and the maintenance schedule is intense! Engine overhauls happen very often to make sure a problem doesn't occur. In cars, engine overhauls are done after a significant problem occurs. A well deserved 5 stars

I can't believe Horizon Aviation in Norwood isn't on Yelp! Now that they're added time to give…read morethem their first review. I came to Horizon after moving to the Boston area for a new job. I was towards the end of my private pilot training back in the NY area (had just passed my Stage II checkride) and after getting settled was itching to get it wrapped up. After browsing around at the different airport options I chose Norwood. I liked it's proximity to Logan so it would be a could way to be comfortable flying around Bravo airspace. Walked in and met David at the front desk. Within 20 minutes I was signed up to fly with Kyle G. So the flight instructors at Horizon are the best I've dealt with. My instructor Kyle was a really great guy that definitely knew what to focus on for my training and made sure I made constant progress towards my license. A couple times I flew with Vicky K and she was fantastic as I took each of my stage checkrides). Then the day came and I took my checkride and passed on the first try, all thanks to the dedication and training of the team at Horizon. So if you're thinking about learning to fly in the Boston area, stop by Horizon at Norwood and talk to David or Pete at the front desk and sign up for an intro lesson. I can vouch you're working with some of the best individuals in the flight instruction industry.

A fantastic 30-minute experience! It gave me a greater understanding of what airline flight crews…read morego thru when I fly. The staff was friendly, accommodating and very knowledgeable. Our instructor took us through the entire flight process in a short time period. It was very real!!! The simulator can simulate many types of conditions from clear skies to thunderstorm to a winter storm to adverse conditions flight crews face every day. I went with my team from work and we each had a different flight. I highly recommend for a personal or team building event.

This place is perfect for kids 19 years old and above who just loves airplanes. It was very cool to…read morejust watch as well. The instructor is a pro and just a good teacher. Fun and memorable experience!!

Maybe I'm just not the type of person to try squeezing a company for all their wort, but if I'm not…read moremistak, this was a Groupon helicopter tour where you go trotting around the city and get a feel for flying a helicopte. So I don't understand the angry review that is about upset about the event that was missed due to the pilot's cancellation for whatever reason, it would likely been weather related I would thino, but this wasn't a cancellation of a reservation for transport to a special event. This was a groupon tou around Bosto. I'd be embarrassed for trying to turn my groupon into an event ride, never mind having the nerve to go to the site complaining that your scheme to get more than what was promised di work out for yo. Next time you need a ride for a special even, shell out the money for a dedicated transport service, and you won't be stuckon the subway trying to go wherever w/ out the big, showy, ridiculous entracee. Prob why the poor guy cancele, he probably felt pressured and I bet you would have been a cheapskate tipper

My wife is glowing. She was nervous about the flight but, the pilots were skilled and professional…read moreand gave us the experience of a lifetime.

Probably the best part 61 school I ever seen. Highly recommended. Super organized and their CFI's…read moreare top notch!

This flight school has been around for over 20 years and I highly recommend them. Great instructors…read morewith great well-kept planes. I was just there last month and got my CMEL. Joel, Ryan, and Nate are all great instructors. They got me done fast and I felt I was well prepared for my checkride. I will be returning eventually for my MEI and ATP. Just watch out for the New London Fog that creeps in from the sound!

Chris is an excellent instructor - his calm, friendly demeanor, flying skills and great…read moreexplanations of aerobatics made my first time in his Super Decathalon a straight up joy. I highly recommend!

Finding aerobatics instruction in central Connecticut was difficult if not impossible until now…read more(November2023). Flight Instructor/Owner Chris Meyer of Hammerheads Aerobatic Training will get you in the air in his Super Decathalon and introduce you to loops, slow rolls, Immelmanns and whatever else you may want to try. Chris' excellent instruction will have you comfortably and confidently performing aerobatic maneuvers in no time. If you are near the Hartford Brainard Airport and want to try some fun flying contact Chris and enjoy the ride!

This was my second flight lesson ever, since my last one was 3 years ago, this one was an intro…read moreflight. (Last lesson was also intro, different flight school). If you're just doing it for the experience, are dreaming of your licence, or actively pursuing it, a word of advice: communicate with your instructor on what you want to do and see in your lesson. You may not get to land on your first lesson, but if you want to make a radio call, ask if that's okay by your CFI. Compared to the first flight school, this lesson was more in depth and hands on. I got a pre-flight briefing of the instrumentation I can expect in the cockpit, and I got to participate in the full pre-flight checklist. While I had my CFI backing me up, I was also able to steer the plane on the ground during taxi (before and after being in the air). While in the air, my instructor was great about showing me how to fly leve, making proper turns, and explaining a little bit about how to get lined up for landing. Towards the end of the lesson I was able to get some practice taxiing and was able to make some radio calls. Flying a plane is complicated, make no mistake, but it's one of the most amazing experiences that cannot be explained in words, they must be experienced first hand. I'm glad that this flight lesson, even though technically an intro was able to cover so many different elements of general aviation in a hands-on fashion. It goes without saying that my CFI, Jason (I think) was awesome and made my second flight lesson a reminder of why I love flying so much, and dream of getting my pilot's license.

I had begun at ECAC with the goal of completing my last few requirements to complete my private…read morepilot's license and get checkride ready. My friend, who was a flight instructor there, had recommended me to ECAC. With my first instructor, I was surprised by her lack of professionalism and ability to be consistent with plans we set. After a ground lesson didn't cover any of the material we had discussed focusing on in advance, she was unable to explain how what we covered matched the plans we had made. After speaking about this with the chief pilot, Marc Nathanson, he validated these concerns and recommended another instructor and said I should call to ask about getting my money back for the lesson that did not cover what I had agreed on. As soon as I walked into ECAC the next week to meet with my new instructor, I was yelled at by Bob Wall, the manager, in front of clients and instructors. He took my dissatisfaction with the previous instructor personal and mocked me for not already being a pilot, saying I was, "no one compared to the people there." I had done exactly what Marc had told me to do, and was horrified by how I was treated for it. I was there to try and continue as a student at ECAC, but seeing how it was run was embarrassing. It was clear that this was not a place where I could finish my training. While some of the other staff were supportive and sympathized with my concerns, they even recommended that I would get better training at a different flight school. The other reviews which pointed out the poor management of this school were true, and I should have listened to them from the start. I do not recommend this school for its unprofessionalism in management.

After moving to Boston, I went looking around for a good airport and flight club. At first, any…read moredecent clubs were too expensive or too far. That is until I realized that Hanscom AFB had a club on base! Good prices, nice aircraft fleet and great staff! Wish I had discovered this place sooner, since there are some many cool places to fly around in New England!