Sun Ray Aviation

Your journey starts with

Sun Ray Aviation

Where Southern skies meet world-class instruction.

FLIGHT EXPERIENCES

Choose Your Adventure.

Every flight departs from Woodward Field (KCDN), Camden SC. No experience required on most experiences.

3 slots left this weekendMOST POPULAR

Left Seat, First Flight

$200

60 min · departing KCDN

Your first time in the cockpit shouldn't be as a passenger.

✓You control the aircraft in flight
✓Lake Wateree + Camden flyover
✓Logbook entry included
✓Structured debrief with your CFI

Best for: First-time flyers, future pilots, bucket lists.

⚡ 3 slots left this weekend

Book →Gift

Limited weekend slotsHORSE COUNTRY

Steeplechase from the Sky

$225

45 min · departing KCDN

Camden is horse country. From 2,000 feet, it's unforgettable.

✓Steeplechase + polo flyover
✓Springdale Race Course pass
✓Narrated Camden history
✓Smooth scenic profile

Best for: Locals, equestrian families, Charleston visitors.

⚡ Limited weekend slots

Book →Gift

Available this weekLAKE WATEREE

The Wateree Loop

$210

40 min · departing KCDN

Every cove. Every dock. The dam. The islands.

✓Lake perimeter circuit
✓Dam + island pass
✓Optional lake house photo moment
✓Ideal for birthdays + surprises

Best for: Lake homeowners, Columbia weekenders.

⚡ Available this week

Book →Gift

Book 48hrs in advanceDATE NIGHT

Golden Hour Private Flight

$295

60 min · departing KCDN

The most romantic 60 minutes in South Carolina.

✓Private aircraft — just the two of you
✓Golden hour timing
✓Aerial photos included

Best for: Anniversaries, date nights, proposals-in-progress.

⚡ Book 48hrs in advance

Book →Gift

Weekday availability bestCREATOR SESSION

Aerial Content Flight

$325

60 min · departing KCDN

For creators who need real aerial perspective.

✓Coordinated flight plan
✓Slow scenic passes
✓Real estate + media optimized
✓Pre-flight creative consult

Best for: Realtors, influencers, automotive shoots.

⚡ Weekday availability best

Book →Gift

Daily availabilityONE-TIME OFFER

Real Pilot Session

$240

60 min · departing KCDN

No sightseeing. Just flying.

✓Steep turns + slow flight
✓Pattern work
✓Real instruction
✓Logbook entry included

Best for: Serious future pilots ready to commit — one time only.

⚡ Daily availability

Book →Gift

Available most daysHISTORIC CAMDEN

Revolutionary Air Tour

$215

45 min · departing KCDN

Camden helped shape American history. See it from above.

✓Historic district flyover
✓Battlefield overview
✓Calm scenic flight

Best for: History lovers, Charleston tourists.

⚡ Available most days

Book →Gift

Book 72hrs in advancePROPOSAL

The "She Said Yes" Flight

$350

60 min · departing KCDN

Custom flight path. Coordinated moment. Unforgettable memory.

✓Custom scenic routing
✓Ground photo coordination assistance
✓Private aircraft — just the two of you
✓Optional headset music (not guaranteed)
✓Optional toast — BYOB welcome

Best for: Big moments.

⚡ Book 72hrs in advance

Book →Gift

✈ CAREER TRACK

Your First Step to the Airlines

Most airline pilots started exactly where you are. Ray maps your exact path — Private to Commercial to ATP — honest timeline, real cost breakdown. No sales pitch.

Get StartedNo obligation

Flight Simulator · KCDN

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FLIGHT SIMULATOR · X-PLANE

Meet the New Toy.

Professional-grade simulation. No instructor required to improve.

IFR Holds & Approaches

Precision & non-precision

Configure Your Session

Session type

Guided training with a CFI. Focused goals, full debrief.

Duration

Add-Ons

Session Summary Email

Recap + next steps after your session

Included

Radio Comms Practice

ATC phrases, clearances, readbacks

Included

Total — 60 min · With Instructor

• $30 — Simulator equipment use
• $70 — Instructor (CFI hourly rate)

$100

Sun Ray Aviation Flight Simulator at KCDN · Powered by X-Plane · FAA review in progress

Max Speed148 KTAS

Cruise125 KTAS

Ceiling13,650 ft

Range625 NM

Climb667 fpm

AIRCRAFTPiper Archer

ENGINELycoming O-360

CRUISE125 KTAS

RANGE500+ NM

SEATS4

RATE$165/hr Wet

Meet Your Aircraft.

YOUR PLATFORM · PIPER ARCHER PA-28-180

Configure Your Flight

Session type

Guided flight training with a CFI. Focused goals, full debrief.

Duration

Add-Ons

Session Summary Email

Recap + next steps after your session

Included

Radio Comms Practice

ATC phrases, clearances, readbacks

Included

Total — 60 min · With Instructor

• $165 — Aircraft (fuel, maintenance, insurance)
• $105 — Pilot/Instructor (1.5 hrs × $70/hr)
+0.5 hr per flight for preflight, postflight, maintenance

$270

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AVIATION CAREERS

The Opportunity
Is Real.

Aviation is one of the few careers where demand outpaces supply — and starting salary climbs fast.

$300K+

Avg. Captain Salary

50K+

Pilot Shortage (US)

+23%

Annual Growth

EXPLORE CAREER PATHS

THE LAUNCH PAD

Regional Airline

$60K–$120K

Regional carriers operate 50- to 90-seat jets on behalf of major airlines. Excellent training, structured advancement, and a clear path to the majors.

ATP Certificate1,500 hours TTMulti-Engine IR

OUR STORY

80 Years.
One Runway.

Woodward Field has been shaping aviators since World War II. What began as a military training base is now one of South Carolina's most respected flight schools.

1942

01 / 04

Founded

Established as a WWII military training airfield — a cornerstone of aviation excellence built into South Carolina soil.

1942–45

02 / 04

Military Era

Thousands of aviators earned their wings here. The runways never slept, and the sky above Camden was always filled with the sound of purpose.

Post-War

03 / 04

Civilian Aviation

Woodward Field opened its gates to the public, becoming a hub for civilian flight training and private aviation across the Carolinas.

Today

04 / 04

Ray Griffin's vision made real: every student deserves an instructor who genuinely cares. 40+ active students. One runway. Eighty years of legacy.

Excellence

Safety First

Personal Attention

Career Ready

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

CFI · CFII · MEI

Jasper Flesche

Jasper Flesche has over six years of professional aviation experience and more than three years as a Certified Flight Instructor. His background includes aerial firefighting operations with the U.S. Forest Service, where he operated in demanding, mission-focused environments. Jasper currently flies turbine aircraft in corporate operations, including the Gulfstream and King Air, bringing high-performance, multi-engine experience to every lesson.

CFICFIIMEI

Book a Flight with Jasper

OWNER · CFI

Ray Griffin

James "Ray" Griffin is the owner of Sun Ray Aviation, a Certified Flight Instructor, commercial jet and turboprop pilot, and a Kershaw County Airport Advisory Commissioner. His flight school at Woodward Field serves 40+ active students. With over 2,500 hours of flight experience across eight years of instruction, Ray's background spans U.S. Air Force service, medevac operations, and current jet flying. Prior to civilian aviation, Ray served six years as a U.S. Air Force Captain and Financial Officer, managing budgets for the Predator and Reaper drone programs.

CFIAir Force VeteranKCDN Based

Book a Flight with Ray

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR · CFI · CFII · MEI

Angeline

Angeline is a Certified Flight Instructor holding CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates. She brings a disciplined, supportive, and student-focused approach to flight training. Committed to building confident, capable pilots grounded in safety, professionalism, and mastery.

CFICFIIMEIStudent-First

Book a Flight with Angie

Share Your Flight

Send us your photos — we'll feature you here.

📱 Text a Photo ✉️ Email a Photo

Life at Sun Ray

Community & Field Info

Rooted in Camden

Our Community.
Your Home Airport.

Sun Ray is Camden. We fly over Wateree Lake, Boykin, and the horse country you grew up in. Aviation isn't just a service here — it's part of the fabric of KCDN.

Camden Aerial Tour Gift a Flight

For Visiting Pilots

Welcome to KCDN.

Woodward Field is pilot-friendly. Self-serve 100LL on field. Our Piper Archer is available for rental with IFR/Garmin capability. Checkout rides scheduled same-week.

Rent at KCDN Checkout Request

Ready to Take Flight?

Questions, scheduling, training path — we answer fast. No gatekeeping, no call centers. Just real people at a real airfield.

2203 Airline Dr, Camden SC

Hours

Daily: 7 AM – 6 PM

★★★★★

5-Star Rated Flight School

Join our growing family of successful pilots

Choose Your Adventure.

Left Seat, First Flight

Steeplechase from the Sky

The Wateree Loop

Golden Hour Private Flight

Aerial Content Flight

Real Pilot Session

Revolutionary Air Tour

The "She Said Yes" Flight

Your First Step to the Airlines

Meet the New Toy.

Configure Your Session

Meet Your Aircraft.

Configure Your Flight

The OpportunityIs Real.

Regional Airline

80 Years.One Runway.

Founded

Military Era

Civilian Aviation

Sun Ray Aviation

Jasper Flesche

Ray Griffin

Angeline

Community & Field Info

Our Community.Your Home Airport.

Welcome to KCDN.

Ready to Take Flight?

Get in Touch

Choose Your Adventure.

Left Seat, First Flight

Steeplechase from the Sky

The Wateree Loop

Golden Hour Private Flight

Aerial Content Flight

Real Pilot Session

Revolutionary Air Tour

The "She Said Yes" Flight

Your First Step to the Airlines

Meet the New Toy.

Configure Your Session

Meet Your Aircraft.

Configure Your Flight

The OpportunityIs Real.

Regional Airline

80 Years.One Runway.

Founded

Military Era

Civilian Aviation

Sun Ray Aviation

Jasper Flesche

Ray Griffin

Angeline

Community & Field Info

Our Community.Your Home Airport.

Welcome to KCDN.

Ready to Take Flight?

Get in Touch

The Opportunity
Is Real.

80 Years.
One Runway.

Our Community.
Your Home Airport.

The Opportunity
Is Real.

80 Years.
One Runway.

Our Community.
Your Home Airport.