Curtis L. Brown, Jr. Airport and the Elizabethtown Airport and Economic Development Commission are excited to announce that Sovereign Aerospace LLC. will be expanding operations to Elizabethtown to offer flight instruction, general aviation maintenance and will assume duties as the Fixed Base Operator for Curtis L. Brown, Jr. Airport. 

Elizabethtown Mayor Sylvia Campbell expressed in a press release, “This is a very exciting venture for Elizabethtown and will have a tremendous impact on our economic development here in Elizabethtown and Bladen County. This is the result of a 6-month joint venture economic initiative led by our incredible staff. It is our hope that it will provide a catalyst for growth in the aviation industry.”

Bladen County Commissioner and Airport Board member Charles Ray Peterson stated in a press release, “The Airport was identified in the Bladen County Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as an asset to help leverage future growth in the county and we believe Sovereign Aerospace and their leadership are the exact company to help us move in that direction.”

Curtis L. Brown, Jr has an economic annual impact of over $21 million, generates over $759,000 in tax revenue and supports over 90 jobs according to the NC Division of Aviation.

“We are excited to have been a part of this project to recruit aerospace industry jobs to our

region,” BCC President Dr. Amanda Lee said in a press release. “This announcement, to me, is about so many things. It’s about the possibilities that exist when we work together, whenever we have a common strategic plan, and we each do our part to make our region better. The college is working closely with Sovereign Aerospace to provide more educational opportunities to students in the industry. We are grateful for all our partners and their support for this project.”

Sovereign Aerospace is a Christian, veteran-owned and operated organization, based in Moore County, North Carolina. Sovereign Aerospace oversees a host of entities designed to serve prospective pilots and plane owners. Sovereign Aerospace is poised to deliver high-quality flight instruction and general aviation repair on-site, at Curtis L. Brown, Jr. Field. 

In addition to these current enterprises, Sovereign Aerospace plans to bring operational expansion projects to the field as a key component to this partnership. 

Currently operating under the Sovereign Aerospace umbrella are Sandhills Fliers, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part 61 flight school, and Preferred Aviation Services, a general-aviation maintenance facility. Sandhills Fliers provides flight instruction, serving novice through experienced pilot needs, and offers introductory flights for potential pilots who are curious to enjoy the thrill of commanding an aircraft on their own. 

Sandhills Fliers’ operation in Elizabethtown is ideally located between Fayetteville and Wilmington yet benefits from the lack of congestion that these two larger areas are known to contain. Preferred Aviation Services offers routine maintenance, on-site repairs, and annual aircraft inspections. 

Sovereign Aerospace also revealed it is in the process of developing several other aviation-related enterprises under its business canopy. Efforts to stand up FAA part 141 flight training, FAA part 135 flight transport, and FAA part 107 drone training are being pursued to extend flight services to government and private entities, and the repair and maintenance division has plans for expansion to avionics installation and aircraft painting services. 

Sovereign Aerospace currently employs twenty-five people in Moore County and manages a fleet of sixteen planes. Sandhills Fliers currently boasts 270 members in various stages of flight training, while PAS provides service to over 150 aircraft annually. 

“We see nothing but great potential in Bladen County, and we are excited to work closely with the local community to satisfy the shortage of pilots and A&P mechanics nationwide,” said Sovereign Aerospace DO/CFO, Ken Hadaway in a press release.