Get to Know High Tide Aviation
About High Tide Aviation
The High Tide Story
High Tide Aviation began in 2013 as High Tide Helicopters with just one Robinson R22. Quickly expanding to include airplanes, the school rebranded and now operates 12 aircraft at locations in Southport, NC, and St Simons Island, GA. As the top flight school in Southeastern North Carolina and Southeastern Georgia, High Tide offers training for commercial licenses and instrument ratings, using ASA publications and maintaining a pilot shop.
The company emphasizes community involvement and education, partnering with local colleges to teach aviation courses and engaging with local youth about aviation careers. High Tide ensures personalized support for each student through dedicated specialists, focusing on safety, professionalism, and inclusivity. Aspiring pilots are invited to explore the coastlines and learn at a leading school known for quality training and community commitment.
Student Support Specialist
Personalized Guidance at High Tide
As such a specialized skill, flight training can be confusing on even its best day. We understand that each student comes to us with different learning preferences and a diverse range of experiences. To better support our students, we have an in-house Student Support Department and assign a specific support specialist to every High Tide student in Southport, St Simons Island, and Wilmington.
Contact us today and receive tailored flight instruction at High Tide Aviation.
A Legacy of Quality Training
Why Fly High Tide?
Experienced, Professional Instructors
We have the instructors, capability and aircraft to take you from 0 to Hero. Our highly experienced instructors bring real-world aviation knowledge to every flight and our advanced aircraft get you the rating of your dreams. From first lessons to advanced training, you’ll learn from pilots who are dedicated to safety, consistency, and helping you build confidence in the cockpit.
Advanced Redbird Simulator Training
Train smarter with Redbird flight simulation, allowing you to develop skills efficiently, practice procedures in any weather, and maximize learning while reducing overall training costs. Simulator time reinforces real-world flying and keeps progress moving forward.
Safe and Reliable Aircraft
Our fleet is maintained to the highest standards, prioritizing safety and reliability on every flight. With on-site maintenance, our aircraft stay mission-ready—minimizing downtime and keeping your training on schedule.
Aircraft Availability You Can Count On
Because maintenance is handled in-house, our planes spend more time flying and less time waiting. That means fewer cancellations, more consistency, and faster progress toward your flying goals.
Our Culture
Student Life at High Tide Aviation
Pilot training at High Tide Aviation is much more than flight lessons and logging hours. We strive to make your time as a student an experience in becoming part of a larger community. It's important to us that you feel at home when learning with us.
Check out Ella's story and understand why our students choose to be a part of the High Tide family.
Our elite instruction team
Meet the High Tide Family
At High Tide Aviation, we pride ourselves on having a highly skilled and passionate team of aviation professionals. Our instructors hold a diverse range of certifications, including CFI (Certified Flight Instructor), CFII (Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument), and MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor), ensuring that we can offer a wide array of training services tailored to your needs. Whether you are just starting out on your aviation journey or looking to advance your skills, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
We invite you to visit us and meet our team in person at our two locations in Southport, NC, and St Simons Island, GA. Each location offers a unique atmosphere and a variety of training opportunities to enhance your flying experience. Reach out to us today to schedule your visit and take the first step towards reaching new heights with High Tide Aviation!
Interested in flying?
Come try it out with an Intro Flight at High Tide Aviation
Flying can be daunting task; manning the controls even more so. If you want to see what it’s like to be in the pilot’s seat, come visit us for an introductory flight where we’ll show you the ropes and see if flying is the right choice for you.
Request an Intro Flight