Beaufort CCC and D2 Flight Academy Launch Direct Pathway to Pilot Careers | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    Washington, NC     Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC) and D2 Flight Academy have partnered to launch the region's first Professional Aeronautics Certification (PAC) program, providing a direct pathway for aspiring pilots to enter the aviation industry.

    As the nation faces a growing shortage of professional pilots, the PAC program was designed to meet industry demand while elevating training quality, safety standards, and career readiness. Esteemed aviation-research firm, Oliver Wyman, estimates a shortfall of nearly 30,000 pilots in North America by 2032, which is nearly 25% of the entire workforce. This creates incentive to lower training quality to usher in a new era of pilots, but the PAC program was designed to retain quality while shortening the time it takes to become a paid professional pilot. In as little as 16 months, students can complete the program, earning essential FAA certifications through a focused, cohort-based model designed for those pursuing a career as a professional pilot.

    The curriculum is non-degreed, so students can skip the degree altogether or choose an area of study that supplements rather than duplicates their professional flight licenses. "We built this program to leverage the structure and rigor of collegiate aviation while aligning with Beaufort's value proposition of providing streamlined, affordable, local education," said Dr. Christopher Johnson, the program architect and former professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "While other programs bolt on expensive, aviation-related degrees that generally go unused by pilots flying the line, our program skips the degree component, which shortens the time commitment and reduces the overall cost of the program."

    Students will split their time training between Beaufort CCC campus and D2 Flight Academy at Washington-Warren Airport. Weekly instruction includes 15-20 hours of classroom learning, one-on-one instruction and simulator- and aircraft-based flight time, preparing students to earn all of the requisite FAA certifications to become professional aviators, including:

• Private Pilot License (PPL)
• Instrument Flight Rating (IFR)
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), and
• Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

    An Open House will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Washington-Warren Airport. Free and open to the public, the event invites attendees to explore the PAC program, attend a safety seminar, connect with aviation professionals, and learn more about career opportunities in aviation. The address for the event is 201 Airport Road, Washington, NC 27889 (KOCW).

    To RSVP for the Open House / Program Launch Event or to attend future events and webinars, please complete THIS CONTACT FORM. Seating is limited. For more information and to apply online, please visit D2 Flight Academy.

• Attila Nemecz
• Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
• Beaufort County Community College
• 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East
• Washington, N.C. 27889
• Ph: 252-940-6387
• Cell: 252-940-8672
• attila.nemecz@beaufortccc.edu