Gulf Coast Aeronautical Services, LLC

Gulf Coast Aeronautical Services, also called GCAS, is an FAA Part 142 training center for airline and professional pilots. It is based in Freeport, Florida. It trains pilots at centers in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Orlando and Sanford, Florida.

The center offers the Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program, known as ATP CTP. It also offers ATP and type ratings and recurrent training. The ground school for ATP CTP can be taken in a virtual classroom. Virtual classes are limited to 10 students, so each pilot gets personal attention.

For type ratings, GCAS trains pilots in the Airbus A-320 and the Boeing 737. These are pilot in command type ratings. It also runs recurrent training for both types, including 737 proficiency checks. Pilots who qualify can take the ATP practical test together with the type rating. Enrolled students also take their checkride inside the course with a GCAS examiner.

Training runs on full flight simulators. At the Dallas Fort Worth center, in Building 1, pilots can train in a Boeing 737-800 and an Airbus A-320 simulator. Las Vegas and Orlando have more A-320 simulators. Sanford offers a Boeing 737-300 Classic for ATP CTP only. Classes are small.

GCAS says its instructors bring military flight experience and airline operations experience to every simulator session.

The center serves commercial operators and qualified professional pilots. It also serves military pilots who are moving to civilian flying and pilots who hold foreign licenses. For foreign pilots it offers a path from a foreign ATPL to an FAA ATP and type rating, with guidance on TSA approval and foreign license verification. Many students are veterans, and the company has pages written for military pilots and veterans.

Services

• ATP CTP training
• Virtual classroom ground school
• A-320 type rating
• B-737 type rating
• A-320 recurrent training
• B-737 recurrent training
• Foreign ATPL conversion