Women in aviation are a minority. According to a recent NPR article, the pilot population is “overwhelmingly white and male.”

With a push for more diversity in aviation, I was happy to hear when my good friend Sierra H. announced she was interested in becoming a pilot. A world traveler, adventurer and proud Afro-Latina –Sierra is not the face most of us think about when we hear the word “pilot.”

[Additional Read: Safety Abroad: Enroll in the Step Program for Free!]

While saving for aviation school I decided to join Sierra as a backseat guest for a flight lesson via Groupon deals. Groupon is known for its great finds on everything from manicures to home appliances. But flight lessons? I was pleasantly surprised to learn there was even such an experience available.

I should mention, this was not Sierra’s first time flying. It was a way for her to log more hours and receive instruction in preparation for aviation school. The lessons require no prior experience and a licensed instructor from a flight school will be flying the aircraft with you. Our lesson was conducted through Air-Mods Flight Academy in Robbinsville, NJ.

As a passenger, I had no idea what to expect. As we entered the aircraft the instructor gave us noise canceling headphones, a paper bag for nausea, and went over some basic rules. He instructed her as we took off and used a navigation monitor throughout the flight.

Once we were in the air, the views were breathtaking. Being a Jersey girl, I have sat on beaches of the Jersey shoreline. Flying over it is on another level. Seeing the shoreline while catching the sunset in our small 222 aircraft was exhilarating.

One should note that flying in a smaller aircraft is very different from a commercial flight. The ride can be bumpier, however I did not get nauseous. Overall, the experience was customized with one-on-one training which is a great option for anyone interested in becoming a pilot or anyone who wants to have a unique experience. I recommend this deal.

To learn more about Groupon flight lessons click here and be sure to look for flight schools near your location.