North Carolina is one of the ideal destinations for pilot training due to the availability of numerous flight schools offering quality flight training programs. Besides, NC features a moderate climate and majestic landscapes such as the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains.
A good flight school is necessary to become a competent pilot in a professional and structured way. If you are searching for the best flight schools in North Carolina, we have presented the best schools in this article with the offered training programs and costs.
Without further delay, let’s explore the best flight schools in North Carolina.
What are the Best Flight Schools in North Carolina?
North Carolina is one of the largest and most populous among the 50 states in the U.S. There are currently more than 50 flight schools located in different parts of NC however, we have shortlisted some best schools where quality flight training programs are available.
ATP Flight School
ATP Flight School is renowned as the largest flight school in the United States. There are more than ATP Training centers located in various regions across the country.
ATP is located in 3 different centers in North Carolina which are Concord, Morrisville, and Greenville.
ATP Flight School is known for producing skilled pilots and providing assistance for placements in regional and major airlines since its establishment. Founded in 1984, ATP has already surpassed over 35 years of professional experience.
ATP offers professional commercial pilot training and an airline-sponsored career track from zero experience to 1,500 hours at its flight training center in North Carolina. ATP has established an airline hiring in partnership with 38 regional airlines so that, Airline Career Pilot Program students can receive industrial experience as soon as possible.
Full-financing and fixed-cost pricing are available to those students enrolled in the ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program. ATP Flight School is claimed to have the highest ratio of airline placements in comparison to other flight schools in North Carolina.
Flight Training Program Cost at ATP Flight School
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Starting with Zero Experience | $91,995 |
| Starting with Credit for Private Pilot | $71,995 |
| Private Pilot Finish-Up | $9,995 |
| 100+ Hour Multi-Engine Option | Additional $11,000 |
| ATP CTP | $3,795 (7 Days) |
| Airbus A320 7-Day Type Rating | $8,495 |
Academy of Aviation (AOA)
Academy of Aviation (AOA) is also among the best flight schools in North Carolina and is located at Gastonia Municipal Airport (AKH), AOA offers various pilot training programs for domestic as well as international students.
Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Single-Engine Course, Commercial Multi-Engine Add-on, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI), Accelerated Career Pilot Program, Multi-Engine Program, Bush Pilot Training, and Aerobatics & UPRT are the programs available at AOA.
Flight Training Program Cost for Domestic Students at Academy of Aviation
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Private Pilot | $12,950 |
| Accelerated Career Pilot Program (Zero to MEI Pilot Pathway) | $57,790 |
| 100 Hour Multi-Program | $79,350 with C152Additional $8,610 for upgrading to C172 G1000 |
AOA also offers specific training courses for European, Middle Eastern, Asian/Pacific, and South American Students. It is also approved by EASA to provide the EASA ATPL Theory program. Besides, there is a specific course for DGCA India Pilot Program.
Flight Training Program Cost for International Students at the Academy of Aviation
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| DGCA India Pilot Program | $47,695 (Estimated) |
| Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Single-Engine, and Commercial Multi-Engine with Cessna 152 | $36,975 (Estimated) |
| EASA ATPL Theory Program | $4,800 Additional $200 per Module Exam Additional $500 for iPad (if required only) |
Blue Line Aviation
Blue Line Aviation is a veteran-owned business that offers comprehensive flight training programs required to become a confident pilot. This flight academy constructed a new $16-million 50,000 square-foot headquarters at Johnston Regional Airport (KJNX), North Carolina to facilitate the students with Professional Pilot Program, and other amenities.
The training programs available at Blue Line Aviation are Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-engine Rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI), and Professional Pilot Programs.
The most famous training program offered by Blue Line is the Career Pilot Program which allows student pilots with zero experience to become Multi-Engine Instructors within 6 months. Students enrolling and completing this program get opportunities for airline career placement.
Flight Training Program Cost at Blue Line Aviation
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Career Pilot Program for U.S. citizens | $90,000 |
| International Career Pilot Program for non-U.S. citizens | $100,000 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) | $11,000 |
| CFI-Instrument (CFII) Add-on | $6,000 |
| Part 61 Add-on Multi-Engine Course | $6,500 – $10,500 |
| Part 61 Multi-Engine Instructor Course | $12,500 |
| Airbus A320 7-Day Type Rating | $8,495 |
Total Flight Solutions
Total Flight Solutions is one of the best flight schools in North Carolina that offers professional training programs for both airplanes and helicopters. It is located in Pinehurst, NC at the Moore County Airport (KSOP), and in Louisburg, NC at the Triangle North Executive Airport (KLHZ).
The training programs offered by Total Flight for Airplane include Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII).
Airplane Training Program Cost at Total Flight Solutions
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Private Pilot | $8,496 |
| Instrument Rating | $10,075 |
| Commercial Pilot | $25,413 |
| Multi-Engine Add-on | $4,999 |
| Multi-Engine Instructor | $2,599 |
| Multi-Engine Time-Building | $5,899 |
Likewise, Helicopter training programs cover Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, CFI, and CFII.
Helicopter Training Program Cost at Total Flight Solutions
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Private Pilot | $14,400 |
| Instrument Rating | $23,349 |
| Commercial Pilot | $21,131 |
High Tide Aviation
High Tide Aviation is also among the best flight schools in North Carolina that offers professional pilot training programs for both airplanes and helicopters. It is primarily located in Southport, NC.
The available training programs for Airplanes at High Tide are Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, and Commercial Pilot. Likewise, Helicopter Flight Training programs include Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
Airplane Training Program Cost at High Tide Aviation
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Private Pilot | $7,975 |
| Instrument Rating | $10,000 |
| Commercial Pilot | $23,950 |
Helicopter Training Program Cost at High Tide Aviation
| AIRLINE PILOT PROGRAM | TRAINING COST |
| Private Pilot | $24,000 |
| Commercial Pilot | $53,950 |
| Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) | $10,600 |
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List of other Flight Schools in North Carolina
- FlightGest Academy
- Elon Aviation
- Wings of Carolina Flying Club
- Alpha One Air Service
- Piedmont Flight Training
- WNC Aviation
- FlyCarolina
- Cape Fear Aviation
- Aerowood Aviation
- Triad Aviation Academy
- Dillon’s Aviation Inc.
- Pressley Aviation
- Executive Flight Training and Services
- Blue Ridge Sport Flight
- Bethany Aviation
- Crystal Coast Aviation Flight School
- The Flight Attendant Academy
- FlyCarolina
- Elite Flight Academy
- Amos Aviation
- Paper Plane Aviation
- Ocean Breeze Aviation
- Premier Air
- Mojo’s Flight School
- BH Flight Academy
- OBXFLIGHT
Conclusion
As we come to the end of this blog, we discovered lots of flight schools in North Carolina where various flight training programs are available. If you are planning to take a pilot training course in NC, you can visit, or contact the flight schools listed above for full details, and consultations.
ATP Flight School, Academy of Aviation (AOA), Blue Line Aviation, Total Flight Solutions, and High Tide Aviation are among the top flight schools in North Carolina. These flight training academies have more experience and offer varieties of pilot training programs ranging from private pilot to commercial airline pilot programs.
