Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 73
About
CHS Flight School is the largest and most successful flight school in the Charleston, SC area, offering pilot training from Private Pilot through CFI and CFII. Training is conducted under FAA Part 61 at multiple locations including Charleston International (CHS), Charleston Executive (JZI), Summerville (DYB), and Georgetown County (GGE). The school's unique simulator-based syllabus incorporates FAA-certified full-motion simulators alongside a large fleet of aircraft, enabling students to learn more quickly and at lower cost.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172 (Skyhawk) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $85 – $340/hr | $6,000 – $23,800 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $40 – $160/hr | $1,675 – $6,725 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $8,200 – $32,700 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at CHS Flight School is estimated to cost $8,200 – $32,700. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, CHS Flight School operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, CHS Flight School does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
CHS Flight School's training fleet includes the Beechcraft C23 (Sundowner), Cessna 172P (Skyhawk), Cessna 172K (Skyhawk), Cessna 172M (Skyhawk), Cessna 172N (Skyhawk), Cessna 172R (Skyhawk), Cirrus SR20 G6, Piper PA-34-200 (Seneca), Piper PA-39 (Twin Comanche), Cessna 172XP, Piper PA-28 (Warrior), Cessna 172 (Skyhawk), and Beechcraft A24R (Sierra). Having multiple types in the fleet keeps your training on track if one plane is down for maintenance. Ask the school about current availability and any additional charges per aircraft.
Yes, CHS Flight School has the following flight training device: . Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, CHS Flight School does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.