If you’ve ever dreamed about true freedom, you’ll find becoming a pilot a dream-come-true. Flying removes boundaries; extends horizons. It brings you closer to the ones you love, and the places you like to be. Most important, being a pilot is a great adventure and like anything truly worthwhile, it is a journey.

The journey begins at Race City Flight Operations, the  Best flight school conveniently located near you. You will learn in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere with knowledgeable instructors who have a passion to teach. We use a fleet of Cessna 172 Skyhawks that operate nearly identical to each other, making scheduling much easier for you as a thriving student.  We also have Cessna 152s for time building and even instrument instruction. Want to become an airline pilot? Looking for a commercial pilot flight school? Everything starts at Race City Flight Operations. Want to see what others are saying about us? Check out our feedback.

Learning to fly is an investment, an investment we’re certain can positively change your future – personally and professionally. In fact, you’ll find learning to fly is far more fun, convenient and affordable than you ever dreamed it would be. Now is the time to realize your dreams!

If you’re worried about paying for this investment, Race City Flight Operations is proud to be partnering with Stratus Financial and Meritize. Check out our financing page to get your financing started.

Race City Flight Operations offers pricing competitive with flight schools around us. We try and make aviation a dream that anybody can achieve. We also have professional and friendly staff that can answer any question or help resolve any concern with a smile!

Lake Norman Airpark has a small runway compared to other airports/flight schools. This is helpful for students because it builds confidence in their ability to control and land an airplane wherever they go. If you can land here, you can land anywhere!

Once you become enrolled as a student, you will have access to the schedule that shows what days and times instructors and airplanes are available. That means you can pick your own schedule and get your flight training done at your own pace!

We have a maintenance shop in house that keeps our airplanes maintained and ready to fly. If weather decides to come in and wash out your lesson, we have two simulators (BATD and an AATD) that can be used for a lesson so you don’t miss out on any training.

We offer Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Flight Instructor/Instrument. We have a variety of instructors to fit any personality.

Watch our interview on WAME 92.9FM Here

HERE ARE THE STEPS TO GETTING YOU IN THE PILOT'S SEAT

1. DISCOVERY FLIGHT
Race City Flight Operations offers a hands-on intro flight called a Discovery Flight; the instructor will guide you through a preflight inspection, where you will learn the different airplane’s parts and flight controls. Then the instructor will take you on a thrill of a lifetime, letting you take control of one of our Cessna 172s for the first time. You’ll be able to record this time into your pilot logbook.
2. GET YOUR AVIATION MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

A complete Medical exam is required to get your Student Pilot Certificate. There are a few health conditions that may prevent your pilot’s certificate. Medical examiners are located conveniently right here in Mooresville, NC.

Andrew Gross
131 Medical Park Drive, Suite 308
Mooresville, NC 28117
704.660.2640

Bruce Seaton
357 Williamson Road

Mooresville, NC 28117
704.660.5102

Thomas Gross
417 E Statesville Ave

Mooresville, NC 28115
704.663.3063

3. START YOUR FLIGHT TRAINING

Race City Flight Operations conducts several private pilot ground schools every year and these are in classroom and online hybrid lessons with a group of other students. For students who have a busy lifestyle, there are other online ground schools that provide the knowledge on your time table.

4. STUDY, PRACTICE AND LEARN
At the Race City Flight Operations ground school, you continue studies and practice flights with your instructor will help you learn the principles of flight and will prepare you for your solo flight.
5. MAKE YOUR FIRST SOLO FLIGHT

Once you’ve reached a certain point in the your pilot training, and your instructor feels you are ready, you will take your first solo flight. This means taking off, a short flight and a safe landing by yourself. It’s a pretty exciting day! Every pilot has been in your shoes. Airline pilots, commercial pilots, every pilot has been flying without their instructor. The thrill, the nervousness, and when you’re done-the pride!

6. FINE TUNE YOUR SKILLS
Fly as much as possible to gain experience and build upon everything you learned prior to your first solo flight, both with an instructor and on your own.
7. TAKE THE WRITTEN AND FLIGHT EXAM

A written exam will precede your oral and flight exam with an FAA-designated examiner. The written exam consists of 65 questions and you have 2 to finish it. Locations for written exams are here.

Testing Center

Address

   

A BCY Solution

8801 J.M. Keynes Drive Charlotte , NC 28262

   

PSI Examination Services-Charlotte

5701 Westpark Dr. #101 Charlotte , NC 28217 

   

PSI Examination Services-Winston-Salem

1540 Westbrook Plaza Drive Suite 103 Winston-Salem , NC 27103

   

This is like the final exam for flying. A typical oral exam will last 2 hours and a flight will last about 2 hours. The usual cost for the checkride examination is $800.

8. KEEP FLYING
When you get your pilot's certificate, get as much experience as possible, get involved and stay connected. Most importantly: Keep flying!

If you still have questions after reading this, please read through the FAA Student Pilot Guide. Even if you don’t pick Race City Flight Operations as your flight school, we are more interested in ensuring you become a safe and competent pilot, and can offer advice and mentorship along the way.

Courses We Offer

You think you just want to fly, but did you know the many possibilities that can get you in the sky?

You can make aviation a career, a hobby and a passion.

Private Pilot (61/141)

There are two types of ways you could obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL), either Part 61 or Part 141. For Part 61, you must complete a minimum of 40 hours of flight time (at least 20 hours instruction, and 10 hours solo). The more structured, accelerated Part 141 program allows you to complete your PPL in a minimum of 35 hours when you complete your training at an FAA Part 141 Certified Flight School. The requirements for becoming a Private Pilot for both programs are:

  • Be 17 years of age (or 16 to solo)
  • Read, speak, write and understand the English language
  • Hold a student pilot certificate
  • Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor
  • Meet the aeronautical experience requirements for the aircraft rating sought
  • Pass a practical test for the aircraft rating sought
  • Complete a practical (flight) test given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or designated pilot examiner

Instrument Rating (61/141)

Typically, after completing a Private Pilot’s course, the next step is the Instrument Rating. This permits the pilot to operate in more diverse weather conditions (reduced visibility like rain, haze, or low clouds). Essentially, the pilot is learning to fly the airplane strictly on instruments and without visual reference points, aside from takeoffs and landings. 

Instrument ratings need very specific training from certified flight instructors who have a designation allowing them to teach instrument flight (CFII), along with accuracy from additional oral, written, and flight tests. As a Part 141 School, we can finish your Instrument Rating in 35 hours. We are also permitted to complete 14 of those hours on our Redbird simulator. Using the sim is a huge savings in time and money for our students.

Commercial Pilot (61/141)

Interested in Aviation as a career or becoming an airline pilot? Our Commercial Pilot Instruction Program is perfect for you! Our Part 141 training requires you to have 120 hours for your Commercial Rating while Part 61 requires 250 hours. You must be at least 18 years old. If you are under 6 feet tall and under 160 lbs you also have the option to use the Cessna 152 for your training. Which saves you several thousand dollars!

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) (61)

Flight instructors are authorized to provide flight instruction to pilots and pilots requiring additional certificates/ratings. Flight Instructors also complete flight reviews for license re-validation and recommend flight tests for students. As a CFI, you must be at least 18 years of age, and hold a valid commercial pilot certificate & IFR rating.

Aside from their standard flight review every 24 months, CFI’s must also re-validate their instruction certification every 24 months. You may not instruct without a CFI rating.

Certified Flight Instructor - Instruments (CFI/I) (61)

Multi Engine Preparation Course

Multi Engine Timebuilding 

Discover YOUR Wings! Financing for your career in aviation is available. Hundreds and Hundreds of pilots have learned at Race City since 2014.
Discover YOUR Wings! Financing for your career in aviation is available. Hundreds and Hundreds of pilots have learned at Race City since 2014.
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