If you're looking to keep it simple, you may not have to look any further than your regional airport. Aerolina at Hendersonville Airport offers a private pilot's license or a commercial pilot's certificate and experience with mountain flying or flying in controlled airspace near a large commercial airport. Flight instruction prices, as of 2011, start at $43 per hour.
For those who want to take their education a step further, Elizabeth City State University, ECSU, offers a four-year degree in Aviation Science. Students who are accepted into the program must choose a minor in Aviation Management, Computer Science, Electronics, Avionics, Public Administration, Space Science or Flight Education. In 2011, the school will also offer a minor in Air Traffic Control. ECSU features state-of-the-art equipment, including a brand new flight simulator and flight instruction at the regional airport.
For $150, as of 2011, Heliventures at Concord Regional Airport will give you a 20-minute introductory fight in one of their Schweizer helicopters. You will review basic helicopter functions like hovering, take off, straight and level flight and landing procedures. Heliventures offers financing through several different avenues, including the AOPA Flight Training Funds Program and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
If you're feeling adventurous, Acro Dynamics, in Mooresville, can give you aerobatics training on its colorful 8KCAB Bellanca Decathlon plane. Learn to do spins, upset recovery, basic and intermediate aerobatics and tail-wheel flight training. The company also offers a test flight at $99 per half hour just to see what doing aerobatics feels like. The hourly price for instruction is $185 while a basic aerobatic package is $999, as of 2011.