There are 5 flight schools in the Charlotte regional area we would recommend. Each school has different program offerings, aircraft, and specializations. Below is a brief overview of each. More details can be found below.
Victory Lane Aviation:
- Offers discovery flights for those curious about aviation
- Provides training for PPL, IR, commercial, and multi-engine ratings
- Well-suited for aspiring hobbyist pilots with room to pursue many ratings
Academy of Aviation:
- Offers “First Flight to First Officer” career pilot program
- Provides structured Part 141 training from zero experience to advanced ratings
- Ideal for motivated students wanting an intensive, financed aviation curriculum
Alpha One Air Service:
- Offers personalized flight training using a diverse fleet
- Caters to career pilots, hobbyists, and existing pilots needing certifications/endorsements
- Promotes flexibility and modern aircraft for individualized training goals
Aerowood Aviation:
- Provides start-to-finish training from PPL to ATP
- Offers aircraft management/professional pilot services for business travel
- Specializes as a Cirrus training/service center for owners and students
FlyRight:
- FAA-approved for advanced simulator training of turbine aircraft
- Tailored for professional/owner pilots needing ratings, currencies, insurance approvals
- Ideal for airline, corporate, and experienced pilots requiring high standards
Best Flight Schools in Charlotte
Victory Lane Aviation
🗺️Concord Regional Airport: 9200-B Aviation Blvd NW Concord, NC 28027
🗺️Charlotte Douglas Airport: 5400 Airport Drive Charlotte, NC 28028
☎️Concord Airport Location: 704-784-0297
☎️Charlotte Douglas Airport Location: 980-283-2330
🌐victorylaneaviation.com
Victory Lane Aviation offers a Discovery Flight program that allows individuals to experience the thrill of flying firsthand. This introductory program is designed for those intrigued by aviation but unsure if it’s the right fit. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants can take control of the aircraft and get a taste of what it’s like to be a pilot.
Two Discovery Flight packages are available: The “Discovery” Flight and the “Adventure” Flight. The former provides a hands-on introduction to flying, while the latter focuses on the exploration aspect, allowing participants to soar over beautiful landscapes. Both packages offer varying flight durations to cater to different preferences.
In addition to the Discovery Flight program, the school offers comprehensive training for private, instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of different learning styles and levels, ensuring students acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful aviation career.
The flight school is well-suited for individuals who are curious about aviation or considering a career as a pilot. With its experienced instructors and diverse range of programs, the school aims to provide a high-quality learning experience for aspiring aviators.
Programs Offered:
- Private Pilot License (PPL)
- Instrument Rating (IR)
- Commercial Rating
- Multi-Engine Training (MEL)
- Discovery Flight
Academy of Aviation
🗺️Gastonia Municipal Airport: 1030 Gaston Day School Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
☎️704-459-8759
🌐academyofaviation.com
The Academy of Aviation offers a “First Flight to First Officer” Career Pilot Program designed for individuals seeking a comprehensive path towards becoming a commercial pilot. This vocational program takes students from zero experience all the way through obtaining advanced ratings like multi-engine instructor.
The school seems well-suited for motivated students looking for a structured, Part 141 training environment with strict FAA oversight. A major selling point is their full career packages that allow financing the entire training cost upfront.
With locations like the Charlotte/Gastonia campus, the school caters to those in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the U.S. The campuses provide easy access to maintained aircraft, facilities for students, and a focus on flexibility to accommodate work/school schedules.
Overall, the Academy of Aviation markets itself towards aspiring pilots wanting an intensive, financially-planned curriculum to earn certifications and ratings for airline careers. Their programs and campuses are geared towards providing an immersive, safety-focused aviation training experience.
Programs Offered:
- Private Pilot Course
- Instrument Rating Course
- Single-Engine Commercial Course
- Certified Flight Instructor Rating
- Certified Instrument Instructor Rating
- Multi-Engine Commercial Course
- Multi-Engine Instructor Rating
Alpha One Air Service
🗺️Concord Regional Airport: 9301 Aviation Blvd NW, Concord, NC 28027
☎️704-633-0021
🌐alphaoneflighttraining.com
Alpha One Flight School offers personalized flight training using modern aircraft. The school seems well-suited for a few different groups of people:
For those pursuing an aviation career, Alpha One provides the necessary training and certifications like the FAA knowledge exams. Their fleet of planes from various manufacturers allows pilots to gain diverse experience.
The school also caters to individuals looking for a new lifestyle challenge or hobby. Learning to fly opens up travel accessibility on one’s own terms. Alpha One’s personal approach could appeal to those seeking this broadening experience.
Additionally, the ability to easily schedule FAA testing appointments makes Alpha One convenient for pilots needing to get certified or endorsements renewed efficiently.
Alpha One markets itself as a flexible flight school matching individualized training to each student’s goals – whether that’s an aviation profession, personal skill development, or meeting certification requirements. Their modern fleet and commitment to quality instruction are highlighted selling points.
Programs Offered:
- Details Not Specified
Aerowood Aviation
🗺️Charlotte-Monroe Airport: 3900 Paul J. Helms Dr., Monroe, NC 28110
☎️980-263-9025
🌐aerowoodaviation.com
Aerowood Aviation caters to a few different audiences seeking to take to the skies. For those dreaming of becoming pilots from a young age, Aerowood provides start-to-finish training from zero hours all the way through advanced ATP certificates. Their experienced instructors offer personalized curricula to match each student’s goals.
The school also markets itself to business owners and professionals looking to save time through air travel. Rather than spending hours driving between meetings, Aerowood allows training to pilot yourself or provides aircraft management services with professional pilots.
Additionally, Aerowood specializes in the popular Cirrus aircraft line as both a certified training center and authorized service facility. This makes them appealing to current Cirrus owners needing maintenance or transition training.
Aerowood aims to make aviation achievable for pursuing careers, personal transportation, or just the dream of flying. Their diverse fleet, tailored training programs, and Cirrus partnerships position them as a comprehensive flight center for pilots of all experience levels in the Charlotte area.
Programs Offered:
- Private Pilot Training
- Instrument Rating Training
- Commercial Pilot Training
- Certified Flight Instructor Training
- Multi-Engine Rating Training
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate Training
- Cirrus Transition Training
Fly Right
🗺️Concord Regional Airport: 7075 Aviation Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
☎️704-720-9623
🌐flyrightinc.com
FlyRight Inc. is an FAA-approved 142 Flight Training Center specializing in advanced simulator training for professional and owner pilots. Their programs and modern simulator fleet make them well-suited for a few key groups:
Pilots looking for initial type rating courses on aircraft like the King Air, Caravan, and Dash 8 turboprops would benefit from FlyRight’s in-depth training on these models using full motion simulators.
The school also provides recurrent training for pilots needing to maintain currencies and proficiencies, making it a good option for active professional pilots.
FlyRight’s ATP and instrument courses allow pilots to add advanced certifications and ratings required for air carrier operations.
With insurance company approved curriculums, the school caters well to corporate/business aviation pilots needing training that satisfies insurance requirements.
FlyRight is one of the best simulator training centers in the Charlotte area focused on the high standards required of professional pilots across commercial, corporate, and owner-flown operations. Their up-to-date simulators and industry experience make them suited for advanced pilot training needs.
Programs Offered:
- King Air 90/100/200/300 Series Initial Training
- King Air 90/100/200/300 Series Recurrent Training
- Caravan 208 Initial Training
- Caravan 208 Recurrent Training
- Dash 8 100/200/300 Initial Training
- Dash 8 100/200/300 Recurrent Training
- ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) Option Initial
- ATP Option Recurrent
- Part 135 Training Services
- Blackhawk Training
- Instrument Proficiency Training
