Punta Gorda Biplane Experiences
Our Harbor Tour begins and ends at PGD Air Center and offers a memorable introduction to open-cockpit flying. After a short safety briefing, you’ll climb aboard our classic biplane and lift off over the Peace River, tracing its path as it widens into Charlotte Harbor. From there you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the waterfront communities of Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, the harbor islands, bridges, marinas, and boats below.
This is an excellent option for first-time riders, families, and anyone looking for an affordable way to experience the magic of an open-cockpit biplane without committing to a longer flight.
Tour Duration: 20 minutes
Tour Price: $349 for two people
Harbor Tour
Peace River Tour
Experience Florida like never before as you drift low and slow along the winding Peace River in an open-cockpit biplane on the Peace River Tour. Departing from PGD Air Center, you’ll leave the city behind and follow the river as it snakes its way through untouched “Old Florida” landscape—lush mangroves, oxbow bends, sandy banks, and quiet backwaters that few people ever see from above.
From the moment you lift off, you’re immersed in the sights and sounds of wild Florida. With the wind in your face and the canopy of trees just below, you’ll trace the tranquil curves of one of the area’s most scenic rivers, watching for wading birds, fish in the shallows, and other glimpses of wildlife along the shoreline.
This is not a high-speed thrill ride, but a relaxed and graceful flight designed to let you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with nature and nostalgia. The gentle pace and low altitude make it ideal for photography, quiet conversation over the intercom, or simply soaking in the serenity of the river from the front cockpit of a classic biplane.
Tour Duration: 30 minutes
Tour Price: $399 for two people
Punta Gorda Beach Tour
Our Punta Gorda Beach Tour departs from and returns to Punta Gorda Air Center, giving you a breathtaking coastal adventure without ever leaving town. Shortly after takeoff, we climb westward toward the Gulf, passing over the distinctive layout of Rotonda West before reaching the shoreline at Stump Pass.
From here, the flight settles into a “low and slow” coastal cruise along the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll soak in sweeping views of Don Pedro Island, Little Gasparilla Island, and the elegant homes and beaches of Boca Grande. White sand, turquoise water, boats at anchor, and the chance to spot dolphins or rays from above make this portion of the tour a highlight for many guests.
At Boca Grande, we gently arc offshore and follow the shoreline of Cayo Costa State Park, an undeveloped barrier island known for its pristine beaches and natural beauty. We then cross Pine Island Sound, gliding past Useppa Island and Cabbage Key—famous for their Old Florida charm—before tracing the edge of Pine Island itself.
The tour concludes with a scenic return inland, following the coastline back toward Burnt Store Marina and on to Punta Gorda Airport. Throughout the flight, you’ll enjoy the fresh-air thrill of an open-cockpit biplane combined with an unbeatable bird’s-eye view of Southwest Florida’s barrier islands, beaches, and waterways.
Tour Duration: 40 minutes
Tour Price: $549 for two people
Punta Gorda Custom Aerial Tour
Build your dream flight in Gracie, our vintage open-cockpit WACO biplane, on a Custom Aerial Tour. This fully customizable tour lets you design your own adventure—choosing the views, beaches, and landmarks that matter most to you within 25 statute miles of Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) or Venice Municipal Airport (VNC). That radius comfortably includes many of Southwest Florida’s favorite coastline and harbor sights, so you can create a one-of-a-kind experience every time.
Home flyovers:
If your home is within 25 statute miles of your chosen departure airport (PGD or VNC), we’re happy to include a flyover when possible. Simply add your address in the booking notes and we’ll confirm that it fits within our route and safety requirements.
Tour Duration: 60 minutes
Tour Price: $699 for two people
Punta Gorda Golden Hour Tour
Our Punta Gorda Golden Hour Beach Tour showcases the same stunning coastline as our Punta Gorda Beach Tour, but timed for late-afternoon light and often a spectacular Gulf sunset. Departing from and returning to Punta Gorda Air Center, this flight combines our favorite island and shoreline views with the warm, glowing colors of the day’s best flying.
After takeoff, we climb west toward the coast, passing over the distinctive circular layout of Rotonda West before reaching the Gulf at Stump Pass. As the sun drops lower in the sky, we settle into a “low and slow” cruise along the shoreline, with sweeping views of Don Pedro Island, Little Gasparilla Island, and the beaches and waterfront homes of Boca Grande. The softer light of golden hour makes the white sand, emerald shallows, and deep blue Gulf especially vivid—perfect for photos and truly unforgettable memories.
From Boca Grande, we arc gently along the shoreline of Cayo Costa State Park, an undeveloped barrier island that looks even more magical in the late-afternoon glow. We then cross Pine Island Sound, gliding past Useppa Island and Cabbage Key, before tracing the edge of Pine Island and turning inland.
The tour concludes with a scenic return over Burnt Store Marina and back to PGD Air Center, with the sun sinking toward the horizon behind you. This is an ideal flight for couples, special occasions, and anyone who wants to experience Southwest Florida’s barrier islands and beaches at their most beautiful—from the open cockpit of a classic biplane.
Tour Duration: 40 minutes
Tour Price: $649 for two people
Pilot for a Day Experience
Pilot for a Day Experience:
Preflight Ground Lesson – Learn the basics of tailwheel aircraft, how they handle differently from tricycle-gear planes, and the fundamentals of flight control.
Aircraft Preparation – Help your instructor roll Gracie out of the hangar, perform the preflight walk-around, and get her ready for takeoff.
In-Flight Experience – Take the stick and fly with your certified flight instructor. You’ll handle gentle turns, climbs, and descents as you experience the pure joy of flying a classic open-cockpit aircraft.
Post-Flight and Hangar Wrap-Up – Assist with shutdown, cleaning, and putting Gracie back in her hangar while debriefing the experience.
Tour Duration: 60 minutes
Tour Price: $799 for one person only