Charleston Southern University has acquired Chucktown Flight Training, which operates its two Carolina Sky Flight Training locations at airports near the university in Summerville and Moncks Corner.
The Christian university began its partnership with the company in 2021 to offer its inaugural professional pilot degree — the only four-year collegiate program in the state of South Carolina.
The CSU aeronautics program has grown from 19 students in its first year to more than 150 students, according to university officials.
“Year over year, the program has seen a 33% enrollment growth in its three degree tracks: Professional pilot, aerospace management, and aviation maintenance management,” officials added.
As a result of this growth, Charleston Southern has committed to a multi-million-dollar investment in the aeronautics program for 2025. In addition to the flight school, the university is providing a centralized location for the aeronautics faculty and staff in its second construction phase for the science and engineering building this summer. A new flight simulation lab will also be installed in the space, officials noted.
The acquisition will allow veterans enrolled at CSU to apply for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Post 9/11 benefits for private pilot flight training, university officials said.
Owning the flight school also makes the professional pilot program eligible to be considered for approval to enroll international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, officials added.
For more information: CharlestonSouthern.edu
