Exploration Flights

A free flight over downtown Toronto for girls aged 8 to 17. Off the runway and into the skyline, with the CN Tower off the wing and Lake Ontario behind.

Exploration FlightDraw entry

FromYTZBilly BishopToYTZvia the CN Tower

Date: Sat 17 Oct 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Ages: 8 to 17
Cost: Free

If drawn1AStolport FBO

Sign-up is closed

A limited number of walk-in slots run on the day at Stolport FBO.

The flight

A real aircraft, and the whole city underneath her

She takes off from the ramp at Stolport FBO, climbs out over the harbour, and flies a circuit of downtown Toronto with the CN Tower off the wing and Lake Ontario behind her. It's a short flight - six to eight minutes in the air - and she'll spend all of it looking out the window: a safe, welcoming first taste of what a future in flight could look like.

She sits where she can see the instruments and the runway ahead. Every flight is flown by a certified pilot, in an aircraft maintained to commercial standard, and there is a safety brief on the ramp before anyone gets in.

Participants pointing out the flight route before takeoff — Participants pointing out the flight route before takeoff1 / 11

Participants pointing out the flight route before takeoff — Participants pointing out the flight route before takeoff1 / 11

A participant in a Piper on the ramp, giving a thumbs up — A participant in a Piper on the ramp, giving a thumbs up2 / 11

A participant in a Piper on the ramp, giving a thumbs up — A participant in a Piper on the ramp, giving a thumbs up2 / 11

Participants walking back across the ramp, Lake Ontario behind them — Participants walking back across the ramp, Lake Ontario behind them3 / 11

Participants walking back across the ramp, Lake Ontario behind them — Participants walking back across the ramp, Lake Ontario behind them3 / 11

A participant stepping up into the aircraft — A participant stepping up into the aircraft4 / 11

A participant stepping up into the aircraft — A participant stepping up into the aircraft4 / 11

A Cirrus SR22 parked on the apron with the Toronto skyline behind — A Cirrus SR22 parked on the apron with the Toronto skyline behind5 / 11

A Cirrus SR22 parked on the apron with the Toronto skyline behind — A Cirrus SR22 parked on the apron with the Toronto skyline behind5 / 11

Participants and volunteers gathered outside the FBO — Participants and volunteers gathered outside the FBO6 / 11

Participants and volunteers gathered outside the FBO — Participants and volunteers gathered outside the FBO6 / 11

A pilot talking participants through the aircraft before their flight — A pilot talking participants through the aircraft before their flight7 / 11

A pilot talking participants through the aircraft before their flight — A pilot talking participants through the aircraft before their flight7 / 11

Participants gathered at the aircraft door before boarding — Participants gathered at the aircraft door before boarding8 / 11

Participants gathered at the aircraft door before boarding — Participants gathered at the aircraft door before boarding8 / 11

A Piper on the apron at Billy Bishop with the harbour ferry behind — A Piper on the apron at Billy Bishop with the harbour ferry behind9 / 11

A Piper on the apron at Billy Bishop with the harbour ferry behind — A Piper on the apron at Billy Bishop with the harbour ferry behind9 / 11

Participants arriving at Stolport FBO on the day of the event — Participants arriving at Stolport FBO on the day of the event10 / 11

Participants arriving at Stolport FBO on the day of the event — Participants arriving at Stolport FBO on the day of the event10 / 11

A participant beside a Cessna on the ramp — A participant beside a Cessna on the ramp11 / 11

A participant beside a Cessna on the ramp — A participant beside a Cessna on the ramp11 / 11

Eligibility

Who can fly?

Girls aged 8 to 17 on the day of the event
No previous flight experience in a small aircraft
Comfortable flying without a parent or sibling on board
A parent or guardian on site to check in and sign consent

Spots were limited and assigned by lottery. Entries have now closed; anyone who entered will be contacted by email. A limited number of walk-in slots also run on the day.

Sign-up has closed

Registration for Exploration Flights is now closed. A limited number of walk-in slots run on the day at Stolport FBO.

Participants gathered at the aircraft door before boarding

The day

Come for the flight, stay for the day

Exploration Flights are just one part of Girls Take Flight, a free day at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport from 10am to 3pm. There's plenty to do before and after her time in the air.

Aircraft displaysLight aircraft and helicopters, open to climb into.
Flight simulatorsTake the controls on the ground, with someone showing you how.
Engineering challengesHands-on problems set by the people who build and maintain aircraft.
ExhibitorsFlight schools, colleges, airlines and aerospace companies.
Speaker seriesPilots, engineers and scientists on how they actually got there.

Full programme at toronto.girlstakeflight.ca

A Cirrus SR22 parked on the apron with the Toronto skyline behind

Questions

Good to know

Who qualifies for an Exploration Flight?

Girls aged 8 to 17 who have never flown in a small aircraft before, and who are comfortable flying without a parent or sibling in the aircraft.

How does the sign-up work?

Sign-up is closed for 2026. Because demand was high, flights were assigned by lottery rather than first come, and everyone who entered will be contacted by email. A limited number of walk-in slots run on the day at Stolport FBO.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Flights and event activities are made possible by our sponsors and volunteers.

Where does the flight go?

A short scenic route around downtown Toronto, including views of the CN Tower and Lake Ontario, departing from Stolport FBO at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Allow anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes from boarding to being back on the ramp.

Can a parent or guardian ride along?

No. The seats are for participants. Parents are welcome to watch the takeoff and the landing from the ground.

What should she bring?

Comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and excitement. A parent or guardian must be on site to check in and sign a consent form before the flight.

Is it safe?

Yes. Flights are conducted by certified pilots in well-maintained aircraft. Safety is our top priority, and weather is closely monitored to ensure a smooth experience.

What if it rains?

If weather conditions are unsafe, flights may be postponed or cancelled. Ground activities and exhibits continue as planned regardless of weather.

If she is not drawn, are walk-in flights available?

There are a limited number of walk-in slots at Stolport FBO on the day of the event. Availability is not guaranteed.

Still not sure? Email fbo@stolport.com

On film

What the day looks like

Two minutes from the 2024 event at Billy Bishop: the simulators, the exhibitors, the aircraft on the ramp, and the girls who came to see them.

Watch on YouTube

Past events

Where it has been

Girls Take Flight is an award-winning, STEM-powered event that has run in Toronto and Oshawa since 2018.

Partners

Made possible by

Flights and event activities are provided free by our sponsors and volunteers.

Exploration Flights are run by Stolport FBO as part of Girls Take Flight Toronto. Full programme at toronto.girlstakeflight.ca