Choosing a flight school for a professional career is worth looking beyond the closest airport. From the Cleveland area, High Flight Academy is about two hours south at Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, and for students serious about the airlines, the accelerated timeline and financing make the trip pay for itself. Our High Gear program takes career-focused students from zero experience to airline-ready in twelve months.
If you're changing careers or committing to aviation full-time, the school you pick matters more than its zip code. High Flight is built for exactly that student: someone who wants a defined path to the airlines, not an open-ended hobby track.
Everything here is organized around getting you to a professional cockpit.
Here's what sets us apart:
We're the only non-accredited flight school in the region approved for Sallie Mae student loans, and Stratus Financial is available too. Financing doesn't require enrolling in a college program.
A proprietary 12-month path from beginner to commercial pilot, built on FAA Part 141 standards and optimized quarterly scheduling.
16+ aircraft, an on-site Redbird full-motion simulator, and 25+ instructors are built for full-time students who want to move fast instead of waiting on availability.
For a committed full-time student, the path is fast and clear.
Individual timelines vary with weather, scheduling, and aptitude. Your assigned instructor and our Chief Flight Instructors build a training plan around your goals.
If you're serious about flying for a living, let's map what your year at High Flight looks like, from Cleveland to the airlines. Book a Discovery Flight or call 724-481-1359.
High Flight AcademyPittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport (KBTP)475 Airport Rd.Butler, PA 16002(724) 481-1359frontdesk@highflightacademy.comSchedule a Visit