Charleston Southern University

Your Future in Aeronautics

Have you dreamed of becoming a pilot, of “slipping the surly bonds” of earth to soar with the eagles? Our fully accredited, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics - Professional Pilot program will train you to become a world-class professional aviator, and will set you on an exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding career path in aviation. Studies show that dollar-for-dollar your investment in your future as a professional aviator will yield a higher return on investment than medical school or law school. Your skills will be immediately marketable upon graduation world-wide, with a forecast airline pilot shortage of over 700,000 commercial pilots internationally, and over 200,000 in the U.S. alone; this shortage has only been increased by the recent global health crisis. 

During your time as a student pilot in the Aeronautics - Professional Pilot degree program, you will fly in beautiful, sunny, and warm Charleston every semester, and will study aircraft operations, safety of flight, aircraft systems, aerodynamics, and meteorology, among other courses. Through hard work, focus, and discipline, you will earn your Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot certification, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot certification, Multi-Engine Rating, Remote Pilot Operator certification, and can even earn your Certified Flight Instructor certification as well! Once graduated, you may have the opportunity to work as a flight instructor until you can meet the FAA-required 1000 flight hours to become an airline pilot with a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certification. 

As a student pilot, you can rest assured that you will be part of a highly professional aviation program, with top-notch flight instructors, modern and exquisitely maintained Diamond DA-20, DA-40 and DA-42 aircraft, and a flight safety program that is foundational to everything you do, from your first class to your final check ride. Through your participation in our exciting, challenging, and professional program, you will grow not only as a student, but as a future aviator and servant-leader of character, integrity, and discipline.