All flights depart from the helicopter pad and office at 3213 Airflite Way Long Beach, CA 90807; we are not in the main airport terminal.

How long is the experience?

Total experience is about 75 minutes including check-in and briefing; the demo flight portion is approximately 60 minutes.

What is the minimum age?

Minimum age for passengers is 15 years old.

Can the flight time count toward a pilot license?

Yes—flight time logged during this demo can be used toward helicopter pilot training and you receive a signed certificate.

Are there weight restrictions?

Yes—customers weighing 300 lbs. or more may not be permitted to fly due to aircraft limitations; weight verification may be required on arrival.

Do I need U.S. citizenship to fly?

FAA rules limit demo flights without U.S. citizenship verification; non-U.S. citizens are allowed one demo flight without a TSA background check but additional training requires verification.

Pilot for an Hour: Cessna 172N Demo Flight Over Long Beach | Air Tour | Airplane

High above the Pacific, a one-hour Cessna 172N demo flight from Anthelion Helicopters transforms Long Beach’s coastline into a pilot’s classroom. Based at 3213 Airflite Way Long Beach, California, this 60-minute flight lesson gives first-time flyers a hands-on introduction to aircraft controls, navigation, and clear California vistas—plus a signed certificate that counts toward helicopter license time. The flight lifts you over familiar landmarks: the broad sweep of Alamitos Bay, the complex container terminals of the Port of Long Beach, the stately RMS Queen Mary moored at the harbor, and the curving ribbon of sandy shore from Belmont Shore to Naples. On calm days Catalina Island sits on the horizon; Signal Hill rises inland as an unmistakable dome. Aviation students track runways and water features alike, learning basic airmanship against a backdrop of Pacific blue and industrial geometry. What makes this experience distinctive is the blend of classroom and cockpit. Anthelion’s demo flights pair instructor-led briefings with real stick time—passengers get to manipulate controls under supervision and log flight time that can apply toward a future pilot certificate. Safety procedures, preflight checks, and an FAA-aware approach to demo limitations are standard: bring ID, arrive early for check-in, and be prepared for U.S. citizenship verification if you plan additional training beyond a single demo flight. This outing works for a wide range of visitors. Beginners leave with a clearer sense of the aviation pathway; aspiring pilots begin logging hours; photographers capture aerial lines and light. The route highlights natural features (occasional kelp beds and coastal birds) and human-made infrastructure (oil islands, shipping channels, and the long sweep of the breakwater), offering a compact lesson in coastal geography and port operations from an altitude that reveals patterns you don’t see from shore. Expect to spend about 75 minutes in total, including check-in and briefing; active flight time is roughly 60 minutes and the experience logs time usable toward a helicopter license. The minimum age is 15 and flights are one passenger per session. Weight restrictions apply—customers weighing 300 lbs. or more may not be permitted to fly—so verify limits before booking. Arrive 15 minutes early and bring a government ID to streamline check-in. Practical details matter: check weight limits (passenger maximums apply), wear closed-toed shoes, and plan for weather or Temporary Flight Restrictions that may force reschedules. The meeting point at 3213 Airflite Way Long Beach, CA 90807 is host to ground briefings and paperwork; the signed certificate you receive after landing is a tangible next step if you choose to continue training. For a fast, focused taste of flight over Southern California, this Cessna 172N demo is both an instructive introduction and a memorable way to see Long Beach from the sky.