Ventura Flight Training

I initially booked the flight experience for my boyfriend’s birthday, the day-​of I called to let them know I was on my way only to find out the appointment was cancelled becasue the Pope was in town and flying was shut down. The Pope’s visit was on the news for weeks. Not sure why I didn’t receive a call to let me know the flight would be canceled ahead of time.
When we finally were able to do the flight. We really enjoyed our experience with Ventura. The plane was great and the pilot was as well. The views were spectacular.
It’s nice to see such a successful family owned business. They need to stay on top of their appointments. If I drove all the way to Farmingdale just to find out it was canceled I would have been really upset and gotten a refund and written the worst review. It’s a good way to ruin their reputation.
But thank you Max for such a great lesson. He was really patient and encouraging.

Highly recommend using Ventura for flight lessons! This makes a perfect gift and they are very accommodating and professional. We really enjoyed the flight over the hudson, and it was awesome to get so close to the WTC and fly of the city.

Such an amazing experience at Ventura! Especially thank Matt and Roland for their great service. Instructors are also very professional, nice and COOL! Highly recommend!

I bought the first time flight experience for my Fiancée as a birthday surprise. When we arrived, her slight nervousness was quickly dispelled by the very welcoming staff members. For being in business at that location for 30+ years, it certainly wasn’t my expectation to see such beautifully kept and maintained facilities — but they were pretty near spotless.
At the front desk, Roland checked us in and gave us a tour of the place. Then, we went up in a Piper Warrior plane with our instructor, Pat Desir. Pat was incredibly patient, courteous and tons of fun to fly with. I half expected a quick spin around the airport and we’d be done… but that wasn’t the case at all. In fact, we were in the air, flying for just about 70 minutes total. They certainly gave us the full value of the experience!
In summary, it’s apparent that the staff at Ventura Flight Training (especially Pat and Roland) are not only passionate about aviation as a profession, but they exhibit a passion for teaching others (especially newbies) the joys of aviation. They love their world of aviation and you can feel this in how they treat you, talk to you and how they behave on the job. In interacting with them, they have a clear intent to communicate this knowledge to you, and will spend the time required to make sure you’re comfortable, confident and having fun.
Ventura Flight Training is simply the #1 of its kind in the area. Their high caliber Leer Jets parked outside and numerous transportation partnerships with world renowned businesses screams trustworthiness, reliability and a high quality operation.
I highly recommend their services. Ask for Pat Desir! You will not be disappointed.
In fact, you might just get addicted to flying and adopt a very expensive hobby.

I am a student pilot here at Ventura/​Air East and I have to say that this is an excellent school for anyone thinking of doing flight training on Long Island. The instructors are all pretty awesome, and the best part is that they employ so many great instructors that they are super flexible in terms of scheduling your training. One instructor is sick or you want to schedule last minute? No problem! They have such a large fleet of planes and so many instructors that it’s super easy to get the hours that you need.
In addition to the great instruction, did I mention that the rates are the best around? Why pay $ 200+/hr for a state of the art glass panel display when this will only distract from your basic training? Focus on the basics for your first 60−80hr and you will save tons of money.
Lastly, the desk is always well staffed and the guys there are also super helpful. Great place to learn how to fly and i think that everyone considering flight training should give it a shot!

Nice place. Instructor was very knowledgeable and fun. Would recommend.

We had an amazing time with Ventura! I booked the Hudson River flight for my husband and took it this past Sunday. Our instructor was wonderful (everyone there was really nice) which I needed because I’m a nervous flyer anyway, let alone in the back of a tiny plane that a newbie is trying to fly.
The flight was beautiful and I was actually able to really enjoy it. I’m pretty sure this was the best gift I have ever given him or ever could!

As most of the other reviewers here, I found this place through a GroupOn deal, and I have to say that they may be one of the few places that do social coupons right. I’d always had an idle idea of taking flying lessons, and the deal made it worth trying.
This school is exceptional. Great ground staff, exceptionally attentive flight instructor, with helpful tips and very good manner. I knew he was always there, but he was never overbearing or neglectful, and very good in explaining everything I needed to know to truly spark my desire to go ahead and continue my flight lessons in the springtime.
If you have any curiosity for flight — go here. They’ll nurture and kindle it into passion.

I took a one hour flying lesson with these guys (found them through a coupon on Living Social)
Definitely worth the money — flight was a great time, and the business was clean /​professional /​well run, and seemed very safety conscious. My instructor pilot was experienced and a great teacher.
I would recommend it to anybody considering getting a pilot’s license, or just looking to see Long Island from 2,000ft and for the chance to fly a plane. You get to do the flying for the majority of the time — a much different experience than flying on a commercial plane, it was very cool.
(Was an easy trip out from Manhattan, LIRR to Farmingdale and a $ 6 cab ride to the airport)

Saw a groupon for First Flight Experience and I decided to get it for my bf, and I was finally able to redeem it yesterday. The weather was great thank god. It was so worth the $; the first flight course was great. You basically get to fly the plane once you’re airborne. I took so many pics of the beach from 2,000 feet in the air. Awesome experience. I recommend to anyone who is interested in learning how to fly.

I gave my boyfriend a beginner’s flight lesson from AirEast as a Christmas gift, and WE LOVED IT!
I really didn’t know which flight school to go with as several offer «first flight experiences» and many are becoming available on sites like Groupon or Living Social. AirEast had one of the most practical and detailed websites, in addition to a competitive Christmas discount, so I went with my gut and made the purchase in December. We had up to 6 months to schedule the flight, and we waited until June for warm weather to trek out to Farmingdale.
AirEast has its own well-​maintained hangar/​facility, and you can tell they are professionals. Not to mention loads of fun. You’re allowed one guest on your flight lesson, so I tagged along, and we spent a little over an hour doing dips and figure-​eights over the Long Island coastline and the Great South Bay.