North American Institute of Aviation North American Institute of Aviation North American Institute of Aviation

 
Flying at NAIA Pilot Training

Since its inception, NAIA has served the needs of the aviation industry worldwide, training students from the USA and 98 other countries. NAIA retains an international flavor in its student population, which produces valuable cultural exchanges among the many young men and women embarking on careers in an industry that is truly international in scope.



Professional Pilot Program

NAIA's nine-month Professional Pilot Program includes the Private Pilot Course (PPL), Commercial Pilot Course (CPL), Instrument Rating Course ( Inst.), Multi-Engine Rating Program ( ME), Flight Instructor Course (CFI), and Instrument Flight Instructor Rating Program (CFII ) ratings. This 39-week program includes housing for nine months.  After the initial nine-month program, housing is available on a month-to-month basis. The housing is located within walking distance of the school.

This intensive 628 clock hour program includes up to 247.0 hours of flight training, of which 174.5 hours are dual flight instruction and 72.5 hours are directed solo practice. Instruction includes 300 hours of formal ground school in classrooms equipped to handle up to 60 students.  Each class is normally divided into two sections. Sections alternate mornings and afternoons in ground school and flight training. The class includes 81 hours for one-on-one ground instruction with the individual flight instructor for specialized briefings, preflight briefings and post-flight briefings.


Other Flight Training Programs

Individual flight programs Multi-Engine Flight Instructor Rating  (ME with instructor rating) through the Airline Transport Pilot Training Program (ATPL) are available for add-on ratings or for the pleasure flyer. Training is conducted under FAA 141 and 61 regulations. Non-Federal Financial Aid in the form of education loans and VA benefits are available to those who qualify and employment placement assistance is available.

Training Location

Housed in modern facilities, the Institute conducts its professional pilot and maintenance training programs at the Conway-Horry County Airport. The airport has a 4400 foot runway, pilot controlled lighting and Precision Approach Path Indicators, and is served by five instrument approach procedures. All the facilities needed for training, without the hazards of sharing runways with commercial jets, are available here.

Examinations

The FAA has several examiners that visit the site to conduct the four-hour oral and three-hour flying exams. Shown here is FAA's Fred Saverance and student Kenneth Eilertsen.  Kenneth is preparing for his Commercial Single Engine and Multi Engine certification and eventual return to his home in Norway.
 
 
Class Starts for Flight Training Program

Classes start four times per year:
January -    2nd Tuesday
April -         2nd Tuesday
July -          2nd Tuesday
October -    2nd Tuesday
 
Graduation for the Professional Pilot Program is generally nine months from each class start date, barring any unavoidable delays such as adverse weather.

The maximum class size for ground instruction is thirty students. No more than five full-time students are assigned to any one flight instructor. All classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Ground school classes are conducted Monday through Friday, and flight training is conducted seven days a week (weather permitting).


  

* NAIA has strived to use those acronyms that represent the most commonly used. For a brief comparison between FAA terms and those used on this site, please click here