Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Anthelion Helicopters' helipad and office at 3213 Airflite Way, Long Beach, CA 90807; we are not at the main airport terminal.

What is the minimum age to fly?

Minimum age is 15 for this demo flight.

Are non‑U.S. citizens allowed to fly?

Non‑U.S. citizens may take one demo flight without TSA background verification; additional flights require U.S. citizenship verification or TSA procedures.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes — passengers weighing 220 lbs. or more may not be permitted due to aircraft limitations; weight verification may occur at check‑in.

Can I log flight time toward a license?

Yes — instructors will log flight time and provide a signed SFAR 73 awareness endorsement and certificate that can count toward pilot training.

What happens if weather cancels my flight?

If weather, TFRs, or maintenance force a cancellation, flights are rescheduled at no extra charge or fully refunded.

Dual Helicopter and Cessna Demo Flight Over Long Beach - 2-Hour Intro Lesson | Air Activities | Air Tour

Over Long Beach, California, at the city's small Long Beach Airport helipad (3213 Airflite Way), a compact aviation studio offers a concentrated taste of flight: a 15‑minute FAA‑approved simulator session followed by 30 minutes in an R22 helicopter and 30 minutes in a Cessna 172n. Anthelion Helicopters’ Rotocraft & Fixed Wing Dual Demo Flight compresses the essentials of rotary and fixed‑wing flying into a two‑hour lesson that’s part flying lesson, part orientation to a pilot’s world. You’ll learn SFAR 73 procedures, touch the controls under a CFI, and leave with a signed endorsement and certificate that can count toward future pilot hours.

From the low hum of the R22 rising over the shoreline to the steady cruise of the Cessna tracing Long Beach Harbor, the scene is sharply local: the rust‑colored hull of the RMS Queen Mary at the waterfront, Alamitos Bay’s shallow estuaries, the grid of Belmont Shore and Naples, and the distant sweep of Palos Verdes and Catalina Island on clear days. Look down to spot Los Cerritos Wetlands and the occasional fishing pier; offshore oil islands and breakwaters punctuate the blue, and migrating shorebirds and harbor seals are regular sightings. The flight is as much a nature tour as an intro lesson.

What sets this demo apart is its dual perspective. Helicopter flying teaches vertical control and immediate situational awareness; the Cessna demonstrates stability, navigation, and basic pilotage. The included simulator primes you for both aircraft so that when you climb in, the lesson feels purposeful rather than recreational. Instructors log time toward certification, and the SFAR 73 awareness endorsement allows controlled stick time in the R22.

Practical notes: arrive at least 15 minutes early with government ID; minimum age is 15; customers over 220 pounds are not permitted due to aircraft limits. Non‑U.S. citizens are allowed one demo flight without TSA verification but will need documentation for additional flights. The company maintains a strict drug‑and‑alcohol‑free policy and prioritizes safety; weather or TFRs may cancel or reschedule flights without penalty.

This offering is ideal for curious travelers, aspiring pilots, and anyone who wants a compact, expertly guided look at what training toward a pilot’s license feels like. It’s a hands‑on, skyline‑focused experience that connects you to Long Beach from above, and it’s a practical first step if you plan to pursue flight training.

Flights depart from the Anthelion Helicopters facility at 3213 Airflite Way, Long Beach. Expect one passenger per lesson and a focused, instructor‑led session that maximizes learning in each minute. Wear closed‑toe shoes and sunglasses; bring sun protection. The signed certificate and logged minutes provide progress for students pursuing a pilot certificate; the simulator and dual‑aircraft format make this an efficient primer for aviation today.