Turn Your Passion Into a Career
Your Path to Becoming a Professional Pilot
Our Professional Pilot Program is designed for students who want more than just a license; they want a lifelong profession. From your first solo flight to advanced ratings, you’ll gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to launch a rewarding aviation career in as little as 9 months.
Start Strong with the Right Requirements
What You Need To Know Before Training Begins
The Career Pilot is an intensive, full-time program designed to prepare you for professional aviation. Before you start, you’ll need to meet a few key requirements:
Minimum Age
You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in the Career Pilot program.
First Class Medical Certificate
Required to ensure you meet FAA health standards for professional pilots.
Secure Funding
Students must have their training financed or funded prior to beginning training. Our team can help guide you through financing options if needed.
Board Interview
Pass the Elevate Board Interview: a professional interview where you’ll present yourself as a career-ready candidate. Dress appropriately and bring your resume.
Your Questions, Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
We know choosing a career path in aviation is a big decision. Here are answers to the most common questions about our Career Pilot Program.
How long does the Career Pilot program take to complete?
Most students finish in as little as 9 months, depending on training frequency and progress.
Do I need to start with a Private Pilot License, or is it included?
You can start with zero experience. Our program is designed to take you from your very first lesson through advanced ratings, with step-by-step guidance from certified instructors. From day one, you’ll be learning directly from the best, ensuring you build confidence and skills at every stage of your training.
How often will I fly during the Career Pilot program?
Students fly twice a day, five days a week—giving you consistent, hands-on experience that accelerates your training and builds confidence quickly.
Will Nationwide Aviation help me find a job after graduation?
Yes, through practice interviews, resume reviews, and dedicated mentorship, we help prepare you for every step of your career journey—so your future in aviation is always within reach.
What is the cost of the Career Pilot program?
Costs vary depending on the training path and aircraft. Visit our Pricing Page or contact us for more information.
Your Future in Aviation
From Student to Professional Pilot
By completing the Elevate Professional Pilot program, you’ll go beyond the basics of flying.
You’ll gain the advanced ratings, logged hours, and professional readiness to step confidently into the aviation industry.
Hear from Our Students
Real Stories from Aspiring Pilots Like You
Nothing speaks louder than the experiences of those who’ve trained with us. From first solo flights to earning their licenses, read about our students' experiences in achieving their goals in the sky.
"I started my aviation journey with Nationwide Aviation while working full time as a law enforcement officer. They did an amazing job of working around my busy schedule and allowed me to get all of my certificates for a much lower price than expected. The amazing instructors were always professional and helped me reach my end goal with no wasted time. I'm now a professional pilot and amazed at the level of knowledge and the value I got from Nationwide."
John Hyde (Career Change)
"Becoming a Southwest Airlines pilot became a dream of mine when I was five years old traveling with my dad on one of his business trips. I started taking flight lessons in high school and finished most of my training at Oklahoma State University. After graduating in 2015 I got hired on at Nationwide Aviation as an Instructor, the only full time instructor at that time. I got to experience Nationwide grow not just as its Chief CFI but a student as well, continuing some advanced training. After leaving NWA I flew for Skywest Airlines for six years, two as a first officer and four as a captain. In July 2022 the dream of a five year old became reality. The most important lesson I learned is that the destination is awesome but the journey, though tedious and difficult at times, shapes who you are and how good you are when you get there so embrace it and immerse yourself in every step you take to your own dream."
Kirkland Monaghen (Professional Pilot)
"Aviation is a second career for me, and I was really nervous in the beginning when choosing a flight school as someone in their mid-thirties. After several months of researching flight schools with a professional pilot program, I knew Nationwide would be the right choice after meeting the team! They welcomed me in and answered all my questions. I was able to meet with their pilots, operations team, maintenance, and even the owner. They were able to show me every single step of the program, down to each day in the program. Not only that, but you could really tell they built a culture around making great pilots. As I embark on my current journey as a professional pilot for Airshare, I know I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for the experience that I had at Nationwide, which made me a better pilot." #betterpilots
Corey Howard (Professional Pilot)
Modern, Reliable Training Aircraft
A Fleet Built for Every Stage of Training
From single-engine trainers to multi-engine models, our airplanes are maintained to the highest standards, giving our students safe, dependable, and career-ready flight experience.
Piper Warrior
A proven, reliable single-engine trainer, the Piper Warrior is the perfect aircraft to safely build your solid foundation in aviation.
Cessna 172
Combining stability and simplicity, students rely on the Cessna 172 for consistent performance as they progress through their ratings.
Tecnam P2006T
The twin-engine Tecnam P2006T prepares students for advanced ratings, bridging the gap from single-engine training to multi-engine proficiency.
Making Flight Training Affordable
Financing Options That Put Your Goals Within Reach
We know flight training is a big investment, but it shouldn’t hold you back. That’s why we offer flexible financing options designed to fit your budget.
Whether you’re training full-time or part-time, we’ll help you find a way to make your aviation dreams achievable.
Your First Step Into Aviation
Book Your Discovery Flight Today
Ready to see what flying is really like? Get in the pilot’s seat and see how it’s done with a certified instructor by your side. Book yours now and see if becoming a pilot is right for you!
