One minute you are on the ground, the next you are flying above Carinthia. This Motor Dragon Trike sightseeing flight turns the Austrian Alps into a close-up experience, with low passes over historic sites and big-sky views around Friesach and beyond. I especially like the chance to get hands-on behind the wheel and the fact you see everything without the usual airplane window feel. A small consideration: you need good weather, and the schedule can shift if conditions are poor.

The pilot, Robert, keeps things calm and steady from the briefing through takeoff and landing. I also like that the flight includes safety equipment and instruction, plus the support of an experienced pilot, so it feels more guided than thrill-chasing. The one drawback to plan around is simple: you should avoid alcohol, and the experience is not suitable for children under 5.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• You may steer the trike, under supervision, which is a big difference from a standard sightseeing flight
• Multiple scenic stops add variety, from castle flyovers to pass and alpine-region views
• Home airfield take-off and landing fees are included, but landing fees at alternative airfields may not be
• Duration can range a lot, about 20 minutes up to roughly 2 hours depending on the flight plan and conditions
• Mobile ticket and group discounts help keep the booking simple and the cost per person friendlier
• Photo or video recording is sometimes offered, so you can bring the sky back home with you

From Trike to Takeoff Over Carinthia and Styria

If you love the feeling of being high up but still close to the world below, this kind of flight makes sense. The Motor Dragon Trike experience is built for sightseeing at an angle where mountains, villages, and castles feel near enough to point at. You fly over parts of Carinthia and Styria, with the general vibe being: small aircraft experience, big views.

What makes it especially appealing is how practical it is. You get safety instruction up front, then you’re in the air with an experienced pilot supporting you the whole way. And because it is a trike-style aircraft, the view can feel more open than you’d expect.

Your Route: Castles, Passes, and Real Mountain Air

The flight plan is designed around variety, not just one long straight route. Expect a mix of quick look-backs and longer stretches where you can settle in and really see what’s under you. The overall time is listed from about 20 minutes to roughly 2 hours, so plan for the possibility of a longer session if conditions allow a fuller circuit.

You’ll start with takeoff at Mayerhofen Airport in Friesach, but the flight can also depart from a desired airfield if you arrange an alternative (local landing fees may apply). That flexibility can be useful if you are staying somewhere else in the region, though it can also add cost and logistics on the edges.

Stop-by-Stop: Schloss Mayerhofen, Burgbau Friesach, and Castle Time

This is where the sightseeing becomes specific. The route includes five named highlights, each with its own pace.

Schloss Mayerhofen (about 5 minutes)

This is your warm-up flyover. You get a quick scenic introduction and an early chance to orient yourself. It’s short, which helps if you are anxious about the first minutes in the air.

Burgbau Friesach (about 5 minutes)

Next comes another brief look that adds variety to the opening segment. Even at only a few minutes, it helps break up the flight so you’re not staring at one type of scene the whole time.

Hochosterwitz Castle / Burg Hochosterwitz (about 20 minutes)

This is one of the longer stops, and it’s easy to see why. A castle flyover gives you a clear sense of scale—buildings, slopes, and the layers of the surrounding hills. The extra time here is the part that usually feels the most like a photo moment.

Practical note: if you want the best photos, spend your attention on stability—listen to the pilot’s guidance and let the aircraft settle before you pull out your phone or camera.

Klippitztörl Pass and Lavanttal Alps: Where the Flight Slows Down

After the castle segment, the route leans into big-view flying. The next two stops are listed at about 40 minutes each, which means this is where you can relax and really watch the terrain change.

Klippitztörl Pass (about 40 minutes)

A pass is all about routes through the mountains, and you tend to get a clear sense of why valleys and ridgelines matter. Expect the view to feel broader here, with more room to track how the terrain folds.

Lavanttal Alps (about 40 minutes)

This is your alpine-region stretch, likely the most expansive feeling part of the flight. You’re not just looking at one spot—you’re seeing how the region sits together. For me, this is the part that feels most different from a ground viewpoint.

Based on past flights in winter conditions, temperatures can be chilly even when the sky looks clear. If you run cold easily, treat clothing as part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Behind the Wheel: What the Supervised Steering Really Feels Like

One of the biggest draws here is the possibility to take the wheel yourself, under supervision. That changes the whole experience. Instead of being a passenger only, you become part of the flight experience—at least during the supervised moment.

The pilot’s role matters, too. The guidance is supported by safety equipment and instruction before you go up, and the pilot keeps you comfortable during the whole process. In the feedback from people who flew with Robert, calm, professional instruction comes up again and again—especially for first-timers who might feel nervous at the start.

If you want to steer, do yourself a favor: listen closely in the briefing. Your confidence in the air often tracks directly with how clearly you understand what you’re being asked to do.

Safety and Comfort: How Robert Runs the Flight

You’re not thrown into the sky without support. The experience includes safety equipment and instruction, plus take-off and landing fees at the home airfield. Support by experienced pilots is also included, which is key when you’re in a small aircraft environment where the pilot’s calm really counts.

A theme in the feedback is how much time Robert takes with questions and explanations. People also point out that even when it’s cold, the experience stays focused on comfort and reassurance, including warm drinks afterward in at least some cases.

What you should bring mentally: this is an adventure, but it’s an organized one. If you follow the instructions and keep your attention where it belongs, the flight tends to feel more like a guided sky stroll than a chaotic rush.

Price and Value: Does $60.21 Make Sense?

At $60.21 per person, this is one of those experiences that can feel like good value if you match it to your travel style. You are paying for a short, guided flight in the Alps plus the chance to interact with the aircraft under supervision. For many people, that steering moment is the difference between a quick thrill and a memory that sticks.

It’s also not just about time in the air. Instruction, safety gear, experienced pilot support, and take-off/landing fees at the home airfield are included. There are additional costs you might run into only if you choose an alternative departure airfield, since landing fees there are not included.

The big trade-off is that there’s no transfer included. If you don’t already have a ride to Mayerhofen Airport in Friesach (or to your chosen airfield), you’ll need to arrange it yourself.

Best-Case Conditions: When This Flight Feels Perfect

Good weather is required. If the flight is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the right kind of policy for a small-aircraft sightseeing trip, because visibility and safety both matter.

The good news: this is the kind of flight where clear skies pay off fast. With scenic flyovers over castles and passes, you benefit from crisp views and stable conditions. If you’re scheduling around other plans, build in some slack so you can accept a different flight time if needed.

Also consider the season. Winter flights have happened, including frosty temperatures, so you should be ready for cold air. Dress for the expectation of chill, not for the weather you see on the walk to the aircraft.

Who Should Book This Motor Kite Trike Flight

This works best for people who want:

• A sightseeing flight with variety, not just one straight line view
• A chance to participate, especially the supervised steering
• A guided experience with calm, experienced instruction

It may not be the best fit for very young children, since it is not suitable for children under 5. And if you’re planning a day of drinks or you know you’ll be under the influence, skip it—alcohol isn’t compatible with this type of flight.

If you’re traveling as a couple or small group, group discounts can make it even smarter. Solo travelers can also enjoy it, especially if you’re the type who likes asking questions and learning how the flight works.

Should You Book It? My Practical Verdict

If you want an Alps view you can actually feel close to, this is a strong choice. The combination of low-feel sightseeing, castle-to-pass variety, and the supervised chance to take the wheel makes it more memorable than a standard ride where you just look out.

Book it if:

• you’re okay with weather-dependent scheduling
• you can get yourself to the airfield
• you like the idea of steering briefly, not just observing

Skip it if:

• you need a guarantee of exact flight timing in all conditions
• you’re traveling with kids under 5
• you prefer ground sightseeing only and get annoyed by weather changes

FAQ

What is the price per person?

The price is $60.21 per person.

How long is the motor kite trike sightseeing flight?

The duration is approximately 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Where does the flight take off from?

It takes off at Mayerhofen Airport in Friesach. You can also take off from a desired airfield, but local landing fees may apply.

What’s included in the ticket?

Safety equipment and instruction, take-off and landing fees at the home airfield, support by experienced pilots, the possibility to take the wheel yourself under supervision, and photo or video recording if offered.

What is not included?

Landing fees at alternative aerodromes, transfer to/from the airport, and personal expenses.

Can most people participate?

Most travelers can participate. The experience is not suitable for people under the influence of alcohol and not suitable for children under 5 years.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.