High Tide Aviation

High Tide Aviation has established itself as the leading pilot training center along the Southeast shores, operating from McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport (KSSI) in St. Simons Island, Georgia, as well as locations in Southport and Wilmington, North Carolina. The school holds FAA approval under both Part 141 and Part 61 and has earned recognition as an AOPA Distinguished Flight School for 2026—a distinction awarded to only the most safety-conscious and well-regarded flight training organizations in the country.

The St. Simons Island campus sits just minutes from the Atlantic coast, offering student pilots a scenic and operationally diverse training environment with access to coastal airspace, barrier island navigation, and varied weather patterns that build real-world piloting skills. The school's fleet includes Cessna 172 Skyhawks for primary and instrument training, along with Beechcraft Barons for multi-engine instruction, giving students access to high-quality, well-maintained training aircraft at every stage.

High Tide Aviation provides a full range of training programs from Sport Pilot certificates through Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine ratings, plus all three flight instructor certificates. The school is deeply embedded in the Golden Isles community and has built a loyal following of student pilots, local aviators, and families seeking an exceptional flight training experience in one of Georgia's most beautiful coastal settings.