High Tide Aviation

High Tide Aviation is a pilot training center with flight schools at three airports. The locations are Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Southport, North Carolina, McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport in Georgia, and Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina. The school offers Part 141 and Part 61 training for both airplanes and helicopters.

Its flight training covers ground school, sport pilot and private pilot training, and instrument ratings. It also offers commercial pilot training, flight instructor courses and multi-engine ratings. Other programs include tailwheel training, helicopter training, a university program, and pilot proficiency and finish-up training.

People who are new to flying can book a discovery flight or an intro flight over the coast of North Carolina or Georgia. The school also offers a flight training readiness assessment to help people decide whether they are ready to start. The website describes its programs as zero to hero flight training.

Each student is assigned a student support specialist from an in-house Student Support Department. The school uses a Redbird FMX simulator for training. It also offers financing options and information on AVEMCO insurance for students.

The fleet includes Cessna 172 Skyhawks, a Beechcraft Bonanza, Beechcraft Barons and Robinson R44 helicopters. The company says its fleet is rigorously maintained and features advanced avionics. Aircraft are available for training, tours and rentals.

High Tide Aviation also offers aircraft rentals, aircraft services and a service request option. It runs a pilot shop and an aerial tours business through a companion website. Visitors can book a free tour of the flight school at any of its three locations.

The school has been named an AOPA Distinguished Flight School for 2026. The website says the award is based on direct student feedback. Its contact team answers questions about flight training, aircraft rentals, aircraft services, insurance, tours and job opportunities. The website also lists a Student Support Department, aircraft services and a Redbird FMX simulator page. Visitors can take a quiz to find out if they are ready to start flying.

Services

• Ground school
• Sport pilot program
• Private pilot
• Instrument rating
• Commercial pilot
• Flight instructor
• Multi-engine rating
• Helicopter training
• Tailwheel training
• University program