Ocean Springs, Mississippi • Airport 5R2

Your Journey to
the Skies Starts Here

Professional flight training in a relaxed, uncongested environment, with modern aircraft, experienced instructors, and a curriculum built around your goals.

Stop dreaming. Start flying.

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3 Modern Aircraft
5 Certifications Offered
100% Glass Cockpit Fleet
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FAA Certified Training
Airframe Parachute Systems
Flexible Scheduling
Low-Traffic Airspace

What We Offer

Everything You Need to Fly

From your first introductory flight to advanced ratings, Coast Aero Ventures has a path for every aviation goal.

Flight Training

Sport, Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI programs. Structured paths from first flight to full certification.

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Modern Fleet

Three Light Sport Aircraft with glass cockpits, Garmin avionics, and full airframe parachute systems for maximum safety.

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Discovery Flight

Take the controls for the first time with an experienced CFI. The perfect introduction — no commitment, pure thrill.

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Student Resources

Scheduling tools, study materials, FAA publications, training documents, and links to everything you need to succeed.

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Why It Matters

Your Schedule. Your Terms.

Most flight schools around here run training like a bus route: fixed stops, fixed times, take it or leave it. We don't do that.

The Traditional Approach

One Schedule Fits All

  • Fixed weekly time slots that don't move. If it doesn't fit your life, that's your problem.
  • Students have little say in when they train. Availability is driven by the school, not the student.
  • Progress slows when training has to fit a rigid structure instead of your actual momentum.

The CAVU Way

Fly When It Works for You

  • You and your instructor build a schedule together, around your job, your life, your pace.
  • 4 full-time CFIIs and 3 on-call. If your usual instructor isn't available, someone else is.
  • Book online anytime through FlightCircle. No phone tag, no gatekeeper, no waiting on anyone's approval.

Training around your life isn't a perk. It's how it should work.

N169CT and N143CT on the ramp at Ocean Springs Airport
Based at Ocean Springs
Airport · 5R2

About Us

Flying Should Be
Fun, Accessible & Exciting

Coast Aero Ventures Unlimited is a flight school based at the Ocean Springs Airport (5R2) on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. We believe the skies belong to everyone, and we're here to help you reach them.

Our instructors are skilled, passionate aviators who take genuine pride in guiding students from their very first flight to full certification. We operate a modern fleet of Light Sport Aircraft equipped with glass cockpits and Rotax engines: efficient, fun, and approachable for pilots at every level.

Student-first teaching philosophy
Modern aircraft with full safety systems
Transparent, all-inclusive pricing
A real community — not just a schedule
Learn More About Us

Our Fleet

Modern, Safe, and Built to Teach

Every aircraft features a glass cockpit, Garmin avionics, and a full airframe parachute system for technology that makes learning safer and more intuitive.

N169CT — 2006 Flight Design CTSW
N169CT

2006 Flight Design CTSW

Carbon fiber airframe · Light Sport Aircraft

Engine Rotax 912 · 100 hp
Cruise 130 mph
Safety Full airframe parachute
$150 / hour wet
N143CT — 2006 Flight Design CTSW
N143CT

2006 Flight Design CTSW

Carbon fiber airframe · Light Sport Aircraft

Engine Rotax 912 ULS · 100 hp
Cruise 130 mph
Safety Full airframe parachute
$150 / hour wet
Newest
N380WT — 2020 Aeropilot Legend 600
N380WT

2020 Aeropilot Legend 600

Most advanced aircraft in our fleet · Light Sport Aircraft

Engine Rotax 912iS · Fuel Injected
Efficiency 3.5 gal/hr
Safety Airframe parachute system
$160 / hour wet
View Full Fleet Details

Transparent Pricing

No Hidden Fees. Ever.

We believe in honest, upfront pricing. Here's exactly what it costs to train at Coast Aero Ventures.

Aircraft & Instruction

N169CT — Flight Design CTSW $150/hr wet
N143CT — Flight Design CTSW $150/hr wet
N380WT — Aeropilot Legend 600 $160/hr wet
Flight Instruction $60/hr
Elite RC 1 Simulator (AATD) Call for pricing
Discovery / Intro Flight Call for pricing

Program Estimates

Sport Pilot Certificate from $9,820
Private Pilot Certificate from $12,000
Instrument Rating from $8,500
Commercial Pilot Certificate from $15,000
CFI Certificate Call for pricing

All program estimates are based on FAA minimum hours. Actual costs vary by student. Block rates available. contact us for details.

Your Instructors

Learn from the Best on the Gulf Coast

Our team brings decades of real-world flying experience across military, airline, and general aviation, brought directly to your training.

Mark Stevens — Chief Flight Instructor
Mark Stevens
Chief Flight Instructor · CFII / MEL / ATP
Mitchell Tyndall — Flight Instructor
Mitchell Tyndall
Flight Instructor · CFII / MEL
Allison Lensink — Sport Flight Instructor
Allison Lensink
Sport Flight Instructor · CFI-S
Zane Slade — Flight Instructor
Zane Slade
Flight Instructor · CFI
Meet the Full Team

Google Reviews

What Our Students Say

"I recently achieved my Private Pilot's License through Coast Aero, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional the whole time. It was so easy to schedule the aircraft, and Mark, Mitch, and Allison were always great to fly with. They made every lesson worthwhile, and they always keep the plane maintained. You truly get the sense that they care more about the person than the money. 100% recommend."

T A
Private Pilot · Google Review

"The flight training at GCPA is exceptional. The lead instructor, Mark Stevens, is a former Hurricane Hunter, and is a very talented instructor with substantial flying experience in multiple airplane types and conditions. I feel very fortunate to have Mark as an instructor."

S T
Local Guide · Google Review

"I went through Coast Aero Ventures to get my pilot training and certificate. Mark, Mitchell, and Allison are all amazing. They made learning fun. The school, the airport, everyone around the airport were all helpful. The planes are awesome. Overall fantastic experience, would definitely recommend."

Casey Foreman
Google Review

"Great staff and very good equipment. They have two dedicated Flight Design CTSW 2-passenger aircraft plus a simulator to use in their training programs. Their instruction staff are very accommodating with helpful advice and training thoughts."

D D7245
Google Review
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Reviews help other pilots find us — and we read every single one.

Safety Record

Zero Incidents.
Zero Shortcuts.

Every aircraft in our fleet is maintained to FAA standards with no deferred maintenance, ever. Our instructors follow strict operational procedures on every flight, because we believe safety isn't a checkbox, it's a culture. Our record speaks for itself.

0
Incidents
100%
Airworthy Fleet
Every
Aircraft Parachute-Equipped
Give the Gift of Flight
A discovery flight makes an unforgettable gift for birthdays, holidays, or just because. They'll remember it forever.
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Ready to Start Flying?

Whether you want to book a discovery flight, ask about a program, or just learn more — we'd love to hear from you.

Contact Us Today Call 228-424-3768