How should an aviation novice evaluate 'flight experience' or 'flight training' services?
For Laser dogfighting, you linked to SkyCombatAce.
I did the Sky Combat Ace experience in Las Vegas about 4 years ago, and there were no lasers involved.  Rather, the back-seat instructor judged when you were in position for a kill shot, and just radio'd &quot;kill&quot;, at which point the other plane activated smoke and started spinning.
Although I enjoyed my experience with them, its worth noting that they'd have 2 major crashes resulting in 4 deaths in about the last two years.   The investigations are still pending, but personally, I don't think it looks good.
In the April 2016 crash, the local weather was announcing thunderstorms in the area, and the 3 planes took off anyway, initially requesting flight directly towards the storms until the Tower Controller suggested they reconsider.  They either seemed oblivious to the local weather, or didn't care about it.  It has not yet been determined if that was a factor in the crash.
On the one hand, I enjoyed my flight.  On the other hand, I now have serious reservations about their operation, and would not consider flying with them again.

As far as the &quot;taking the controls&quot; aspect:  I had my Private Pilot's license at the time I flew with them, so I'm familiar with flying, although not at the performance levels of those planes.  However, &quot;taking the controls&quot; meant the ailerons and elevator only; no throttle and no rudder (controlled by the instructor).  In that sense, it was a lot like a simplistic video game with a joystick.

Update: July, 2018
The Factual Report on the first accident, in Henderson, NV is now available on the NTSB website.  The report took over two years from the incident to come out, which is atypical (6 months to 1 year is more common).
The report had two concerning findings:

First and foremost, the report finds the pilot had detectable levels of THC (marijuana) in his blood and tissue.  The report points out that it is impossible to tell how recently the pilot used it or if he was impaired at all. However, that he had any amount of an illegal substance (marijuana did not become legal in Nevada until several months after the accident) is deeply disturbing.

Secondly, the report calls into question if the flight operation is operated legally by CFR 14.91 and .61 (Instructional Flights), and suggests they may have been legally required to hold a part 119 air carrier / commercial operator certificate and operate under the stricter 121 or 135 rules.


I will reiterate that I enjoyed myself during my flight with SCA.  But after two fatal accidents and this incredibly concerning report, I cannot recommend that anyone fly with them until major legal and operational issues are resolved.

Update: May, 2021
A GoPro camera which captured much of the second crash was found after two years.
The additional information it helped reveal is disturbing.  A detailed article is here.