Review: Is the Fleshlight Flight Pilot the Best Option for Beginners?

The Fleshlight Flight Pilot was provided to us for review. This post contains affiliate links. Get 20% off at Lovehoney UK and Lovehoney US using the code SEXTOYREVIEW20

If you’ve never bought a Fleshlight before, choosing one is probably more confusing than it needs to be. There are different textures, sleeves, porn star replicas and suction caps, when really you might just want a simple first male masturbator that feels good and doesn’t require a degree in sex toy engineering.

Well, there kind of is. Enter the Fleshlight Flight Pilot.

The Fleshlight Flight Pilot is the number one best seller, and at full price it usually comes in slightly cheaper than the Fleshlight x Lovehoney Masterstroke, which we’ve already reviewed.

So is the Flight Pilot the best Fleshlight for beginners, or are they all basically the same tube in a different outfit?

What Is the Fleshlight Flight Pilot?

The Fleshlight Flight Pilot is a manual male masturbator with a soft textured sleeve inside a hard plastic case.

Add water-based lube, insert your penis and move it manually. There are no batteries, buttons, charging cables or apps, and you can adjust the suction using the cap at the bottom.

The Pilot has a black outer case and transparent sleeve, giving it a sleeker look than some of Fleshlight’s more realistic designs. It’s less ‘terrifying anatomical replica’ and more ‘discreet black tube that still absolutely should not be left on the bathroom windowsill when your mum pops round’.

Why The Flight Pilot Makes A Great First Fleshlight

We’ve tried a lot of male masturbators and more functions does not always equal a better experience.

For a first toy, simple can be a real advantage. The Flight Pilot works straight out of the box, is easy to understand and doesn’t ask you to navigate six motors, Bluetooth, warming functions or a charging cable you’ll lose within 48 hours.

It is, fundamentally, a textured sleeve in a case. But it works, it feels good and, in our opinion, it comes closer than most toys to simulating penetrative sex.

Is the Fleshlight Flight Pilot Easy to Use?

Yes, and this is one of the main reasons it works so well as a beginner Fleshlight.

Add water-based lube to yourself and the opening of the sleeve, insert gently, then use it manually. You can twist the end cap to adjust the suction and resistance.

There can be a slight learning curve the first time you use a Fleshlight, especially if you have a foreskin or are not used to pushing into a tight sleeve. This is not a ‘go in like you’re trying to win gold at the Wank Olympics’ situation.

Start slowly and use plenty of lube. Once you get used to it, it is very straightforward.

How Does the Fleshlight Flight Pilot Feel?

Pretty good. The textured internal canal adds much more sensation than using your hand alone, while the hard case gives you something substantial to grip. You can also twist the cap at the bottom to increase or reduce the suction.

It does not feel exactly like sex or oral sex, but it is a definite upgrade from a standard wank. The texture, pressure and suction make solo masturbation feel more varied and immersive, without taking control of the pace away from you.

Fleshlights aren’t really trying to replace partnered sex. They are trying to make solo masturbation feel better, more textured, and slightly less like you’ve been doing the same thing since you were 14.

Fleshlight Flight Pilot vs Fleshlight Masterstroke

We have also tested the Fleshlight x Lovehoney Masterstroke (you can find the review here), and our honest opinion is that there really isn’t a huge difference between them.

The Flight Pilot has a black case and transparent sleeve, while the Masterstroke has a blue sleeve and clear case. The internal textures are slightly different, but not enough to dramatically change the experience.

Here is the simple version:

Feature	Fleshlight Flight Pilot	Fleshlight Masterstroke
Price	Usually slightly cheaper	Usually a few pounds more
Case	Black outer case	Clear outer case
Sleeve	Transparent/see-through	Blue, slightly see-through
Texture	Slightly different	Slightly different
Sensation	Very similar overall	Very similar overall
Best For	Beginners who want the cheaper/simple option	Anyone who likes the clear case or wants to see what’s happening

If the Flight Pilot is cheaper, I’d probably buy that. If you prefer the look of the Masterstroke or want to see what’s happening through the clear case, go for that instead.

I would not overthink it. Both are simple manual Fleshlights and, in use, the difference is fairly small.

Is the Flight Pilot Better Than A Tenga Egg For Beginners?

This depends what kind of beginner you are. A Tenga Egg is cheaper, smaller and less of a commitment. If you are curious about male masturbators but not ready to spend £50 on one, it is an easy place to start.

However, the Flight Pilot feels more substantial.The Flight Pilot feels more substantial. It is reusable, more intense and gives you a hard case, textured sleeve and adjustable suction.

Choose a Tenga Egg if you want the cheapest, lowest-commitment option. Choose the Fleshlight Flight Pilot if you want a proper reusable masturbator that is still simple enough for beginners.

Is the Flight Pilot Better Than An Automatic Male Masturbator?

For beginners, I would say yes. Automatic masturbators can be brilliant, but they are usually more expensive, bulkier and more complicated. Different toys work in completely different ways:some vibrate, some rotate, some have suction – so there can be more trial and error involved in finding the right one.

The Flight Pilot is manual, which means you still control the speed, pressure and movement yourself. It is not hands-free, but for a first male masturbator that simplicity can be a real advantage.

How Easy Is The Fleshlight Flight Pilot To Clean?

This is the bit nobody wants to think about until it is too late.

Male masturbators need cleaning. There is no way around this unless you are using disposable toys. If you put your penis and bodily fluids inside something warm and squishy, you do need to clean it properly afterwards or it’ll go mouldy and you won’t be able to use it again.

The good news is that Fleshlights are relatively easy to clean compared with many male masturbators and certainly compared to cleaning sex dolls.

The sleeve removes from the case and can be rinsed thoroughly with soap and water. Because the Flight Pilot sleeve is transparent, you can also see what is going on inside, which is genuinely helpful. Nobody wants a mystery situation developing in there.

The bigger issue is drying. The sleeve is made from porous TPE, so you cannot rinse it, shake it twice and shove it straight back in a drawer. It needs to air dry fully or you risk mould developing.

Rinse it thoroughly, remove it from the case and leave it somewhere well ventilated until completely dry. Renewal powder or cornflour can also help keep the material soft.

This is probably the biggest downside of Fleshlights generally: they feel good, but they do come with a bit of post-orgasm admin.

Is the Fleshlight Flight Pilot Discreet?

Sort of.

The black case is much less obvious than a realistic Fleshlight with a vulva-shaped opening, and from across the room it could easily pass as some kind of chunky toiletry bottle.

Up close, though, it is still a fairly large male masturbator. Anyone who picked it up or opened it would probably work out what it was.

It is discreet enough for a bedside drawer, but I would not leave it on display and expect nobody to ask questions.

Who Is the Fleshlight Flight Pilot Best For?

The Fleshlight Flight Pilot is best for:

• first-time Fleshlight buyers
• anyone who wants a simple reusable male masturbator
• people who do not want charging, apps or complicated settings
• anyone looking for a less realistic-looking Fleshlight
• beginners choosing between the Flight Pilot and Masterstroke and leaning towards the cheaper option

It is especially good if you are curious about Fleshlights but do not want to jump straight into the more intense, expensive or realistic options.

Who Should Not Buy the Fleshlight Flight Pilot (And What Should They Get Instead?)

The Flight Pilot will not suit everyone.

Skip it if you hate cleaning and drying toys. A disposable Tenga Egg involves far less post-orgasm admin, while the Tenga Flip series opens up for easier cleaning.

If you want a hands-free toy, look at something like the Autoblow AI Ultra instead.

If you want vibration, rotation or suction, browse our guide to different types of male masturbator.

If you specifically want silicone rather than porous TPE, the Arcwave Pow is a better option.

And if what you really want is the most realistic experience possible, you are looking at a different category entirely, such as a Tantaly torso doll.

Is the Fleshlight Flight Pilot the Easiest Fleshlight for Beginners?

I think it is one of the best first Fleshlights you can buy.

It is simple to use, gives you full control over speed and pressure, and usually costs a little less than the Masterstroke. Having tested both, we did not think the difference in sensation was big enough to justify overthinking the choice.

If the Flight Pilot is cheaper, I would buy that. If the Masterstroke is on offer or you prefer the clear case, buy that instead.

For beginners, though, the Flight Pilot has the edge: it is straightforward, effective and less visually explicit than many other Fleshlights.

Where To Buy The Fleshlight Flight Pilot

The Fleshlight Flight Pilot is available from Lovehoney, with a full price of £49.99/$54.99 at the time of writing.

You can also use our Lovehoney discount code SEXTOYREVIEW20 to get 20% off at Lovehoney UK, and Lovehoney US.