By the time I turned final at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport (KSLR), my daughter was belting out “Let It Go” through the old David Clark headset I’d dug out of my flight bag the night before.
The audio was scratchy, and the earcups kept slipping off her head, but she didn’t care. Other pilots in the pattern chuckled over CTAF. “Thanks for the serenade,” said one after I landed and taxied clear. Another chimed in: “Tell Elsa we appreciated the musical accompaniment.”
She was 4 years old, and this was her first flight. A rented Cessna 172, a short cross-country, and a pancake breakfast across the street from a small-town airport in East Texas. We didn’t go far, about 45 minutes each way, but for her, it might as well have been to the moon.
At the FBO, they had a coloring book waiting for her. The diner across the street smelled like cinnamon and maple syrup, and she insisted on getting the pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse.
On the way home, I let her hold the controls and make a few small turns. She took it seriously and even tried to sneak a radio call by me when she figured out how to key the mic. I asked her what she would even say if I let her make a call.
“One, seven, red, purple, dinosaur,” she told me confidently. In proper form, she became mad at me when I wouldn’t let her land the airplane back at our home airport.
She’s been up with me again since then, but she still talks about that first flight. She doesn’t recall the tail number, but she remembers the coloring book and how she sang to the sky.
If you’re a parent and a pilot, there may come a day when your child asks to go flying. Or maybe you’ll be the one who asks them. Either way, there are a few things I wish I’d known before our first flight together and a lot I’ve learned since.
It’s About the Experience, Not the Distance
When flying with kids, especially for their first time, lower your expectations. Then, lower them again.
You don’t need to chase a $100 hamburger two states away. Think like a parent first and a pilot second. Is there a place with food, something to look at, and a chance to stretch little legs?
Sulphur Springs was ideal. It had a friendly FBO, low traffic, a nice lake to fly over on approach, and pancakes within walking distance. A place like this is gold when flying with kids. Even a grass strip with a playground and a picnic bench nearby can turn a short hop into a core memory.
The weather is another factor. You’re building trust here, for both of you. VMC is nonnegotiable. Smooth air and a happy, sunny, VFR day is crucial. Another pro tip: Try to fly early in the day when thermals haven’t yet turned the air to soup—a bonus with especially small children, since that’s probably well before nap time.
If you can, brief them the night before. Show them pictures of the airplane. Do some age-appropriate aviation activities in the weeks leading up to the flight. Talk about what to expect—that the headset might feel funny, that there will be a moment of “push” on takeoff, and that airplanes can bump around a little in the air. Kids do better when they’re part of the mission, not just passengers.
Snacks, Water, and the Right Gear
Here’s where I made my first mistake. I strapped my daughter into the copilot seat with a full-size adult headset. I knew it wasn’t ideal, but I didn’t have anything else to work with, and it seemed to stay on well enough when we tried it on at home.
In flight, it didn’t fit well and kept slipping. She got frustrated and spent part of the return leg pouting because she couldn’t hear me clearly. A good youth headset is one of the best investments you can make, so consider picking up a starter kid-sized aviation headset that is lightweight, properly cushioned, and volume-appropriate for smaller ears.
That said, while a starter set might make sense for the first few flights, if the flying bug sets in, it might be worthwhile to consider a higher quality youth set before too long.
Bring snacks—more than you think you need. Granola bars, applesauce pouches, crackers, maybe even a special treat they only get in the airplane. Water is also important, especially on a warm day. Pack it all in a small cooler. RTIC Outdoors makes rugged, compact coolers that tuck into the back seat nicely.
Entertainment can make or break a flight. Coloring books—like the one my daughter received from the FBO—are easy. So are window clings, magnetic toys, and simple games. Avoid anything that rolls, rattles, or requires batteries that might die at altitude.
And don’t forget about good quality sunglasses. The glare at altitude is no joke, and kids’ eyes are especially sensitive.
Logbooks can also be a fun surprise gift. Many kids love the idea of having “pilot paperwork” like mom or dad. Younger kids might also enjoy a sky journal to help document their flying journeys with Mom or Dad.
Safety First, but Fun Is a Close Second
Flying with kids means rethinking safety through a different lens.
Can they operate the door handle? Are the seat belts snug? How will you load and unload them safely, especially in an unfamiliar context like a low-wing aircraft that requires stepping-up onto the wing?
Preflight is a great teaching moment. Just let them hold the flashlight or check that the tires aren’t “squishy.” Don’t underestimate how much a young kid can learn in just one walkaround.
If your child is using a booster seat in the car, consider bringing it along. Whatever you use, ensure it is FAA approved and can be properly and safely secured in your specific aircraft.
And don’t forget airsickness bags. You hope you don’t need them, but if you do, you’ll be glad they’re within arm’s reach.
If your child’s prone to motion sickness in the car, consider bringing ginger chews or talking with your pediatrician about travel-safe remedies. If you have a more minor child who might have trouble “holding it,” you might consider specialty travel potty bags to avoid any in-flight emergencies you may not have practiced for in flight school.
Training the Next Generation
Flying with your kids isn’t just about having them tag along. It’s about planting seeds. I’ve seen parents enroll their teens in discovery flights or private pilot ground school through programs like Fly 8MA or Pilot Institute as a shared family journey.
Some parents I know go a step further and buy their kids logbooks right from the first flight. Many of the students I’ve met in the high school aviation program I’m involved with show up with hours logged in their logbooks, each signed by the PIC with a brief note.
Not everything will necessarily “count” toward any later training or career aspirations your kids might pursue, but you can be sure that logbook will likely outlive any Xbox or iPad.
One of my favorite photos of my daughter and I is from that first flight to Sulphur Springs. She still talks about how I let her fly the airplane and frequently reminds me that I will be teaching her how to fly when she’s bigger.
That first flight is a memory that will last both of our lifetimes.
Your Copilot Might Be Small, but the Mission Is Big
Flying with your kids changes the cockpit.
It forces you to fly cleaner, safer, and with more awareness. But it also opens up a different kind of joy, one you probably felt the first time someone let you take the controls.
There’s magic in these early flights. Not because you covered a lot of airspace or practiced short-field landings. The magic is in the pancakes, the coloring books, the slightly-too-loud soundtrack of a Disney princess drifting over the CTAF.
If you’re lucky, the flight will spark something in your child. But even if it doesn’t lead to a pilot certificate or a future at the controls, it will give them something most people never get—the view from the front row of the sky.
And that’s worth more than any souvenir.
Before your next family flight, think through your gear. Make it fun. Make it safe. Above all, make it memorable.
Because long after they forget the tail number, they will still remember the day they got to fly.
FAQ
What are the primary considerations when planning a flight with children?
Focus on the experience rather than just the distance. Choose destinations with amenities suitable for kids (food, space to move). Prioritize smooth air and good weather conditions (VMC, sunny, VFR) for a comfortable flight. Prepare children by briefing them the night before, showing them pictures of the airplane, and engaging them in aviation-related activities appropriate for their age.
What essential gear and supplies should I bring when flying with kids?
Invest in a good youth headset, as adult headsets may not fit properly. Pack plenty of snacks, water, and a small cooler. Good quality sunglasses are also recommended due to high-altitude glare.
How can I ensure safety while flying with my children?
Re-evaluate safety from a child’s perspective. Ensure children can operate door handles and that seat belts are snug. Supervise safe loading and unloading. Use preflight as a teaching opportunity by involving kids in checks like holding a flashlight or inspecting tires. Bring a FAA-approved booster seat if necessary, as well as airsickness bags and specialty travel potty bags.
How can I make flying a memorable and educational experience for my children?
View flying as a chance to inspire the next generation. Consider getting logbooks for your children and, for older teens, exploring discovery flights or ground school programs. The focus should be on creating a fun and positive experience that could spark a lifelong interest in aviation.
FLYING may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
