Exploration Flights

Safety of participants and pilots is our number one priority. Rain, low cloud or high wind will affect the flying portion of the event. We may have to delay flying for a while and announcements will be made indicating our status. We cannot guarantee you a flight, but often the weather improves and we usually manage to fly everyone who waits. If the weather in unsafe and we are unable to fly, Exploration Flights will be cancelled.

Although we are not offering Exploration Flights for boys at this event, there are other organizations that offer similar flight opportunities, such as COPA.

In order to maximize the opportunity for participants, parents/guardians will generally not be able to accompany their child on a flight. If a parent feels a child is too young to go up alone, please consider registering next year. Exceptions may be granted for special needs.

The final schedule is determined by our planning team in order to maximize flight opportunities. Final schedules will be communicated to registered participants prior to the event date.

Each plane carries a pilot and a varying number of passengers. We try to group passengers so you go up together, but please note that this is not always possible.

No, we do not maintain a waiting list. Only participants who have registered in advance will be able to fly.

There is no cost to you for your flight. Everything is generously provided by volunteers, pilots and sponsors.

We have a limited number of Exploration Flights available. Interested flyers can submit their registration form to be entered into a randomized draw.

We are able to offer a free flight experience to a limited number of participants as part of Girls Take Flight at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Registration is required, please complete this form for each individual participant.

Following the Exploration Flight draw, we will contact each flyer directly using the email address provided. This confirmation email will provide your flying time and a waiver that must be completed prior to your flight.

There is no weight restriction, but there is a weight limit for each airplane. We ask for your weight at registration for this very reason. When we are assembling a group of passengers for a particular flight, it is necessary to add up the weight of all passengers to make sure the total does not exceed that aircraft’s limit. There is a different limit for each aircraft, depending on its capability, fuel on board and the weight of the pilot.

While Girls Take Flight is accessible, with respect to the Exploration Flights, participants should be able to climb in/out of the plane on their own and also feel comfortable going up in the air on their own in a noisy environment.

Girls Take Flight is a special program intended to promote underrepresented groups in aviation.

Young women and girls aged 8 to 17 and older who have never flown in a small aircraft before may register for a free Exploration Flight. Each participant needs to register individually.

Children under the age 8 are not able to participate in Exploration Flights as they require special child seats and headsets.

We have a limited capacity and we want to give the Exploration Flight experience to participants who have never before had the opportunity. Please do not register if you have ever before flown in a small aircraft (does not include commercial passenger aircraft).

Yes, all Exploration Flight participants will be required to sign a waiver prior to their flight. If you are successful in requesting to register for our limited number of Exploration Flights, you will be e-mailed the waiver to read and sign before you confirm your registration.