Phoenix East Aviation (PEA)

Phoenix East Aviation has trained professional pilots in Daytona Beach, Florida since 1972, more than five decades of continuous operation. Founded by a retired airline captain, the academy has graduated pilots from nearly every country in the world and today runs three Florida locations: the main campus at Daytona Beach International Airport, a satellite at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport where PEA is the contracted flight training provider for Broward College, and an accelerated-training base at Flagler Executive Airport. Florida's climate delivers more than 350 flyable days a year, which directly compresses training timelines.

The fleet of over 70 aircraft includes Cessna 172 NAV II and G1000 glass-cockpit singles, Diamond DA-42 and Piper Seneca twins, and a Super Decathlon dedicated to upset prevention and recovery training. Frasca devices and a Redbird FMX full-motion simulator support the ground syllabus. Programs cover the full FAA pipeline from Private Pilot through Commercial, Multi-Engine, CFI, and ATP, plus airline dispatcher certification.

PEA is nationally accredited by ACCSC and is one of only five independent US flight academies authorised to issue the F-1 student visa, which lets international graduates build flight hours in the US under Optional Practical Training. A partnership in the United Airlines Aviate program gives high performers a defined route into a major carrier.