Textron Aviation piston aircraft feature Garmin G1000 NXi avionics at Sun 'n Fun 2017

Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, is highlighting its leadership and investment in the piston segment at this year’s Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in & Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Textron Aviation’s static display of aircraft includes the show debut of the next-generation Garmin G1000 NXi equipped Cessna Turbo Stationair HD, Cessna Skylane 182 and Beechcraft Baron G58. The company is also displaying the high-performance Cessna TTx with touch-screen Garmin G2000 avionics.

“Sun ‘n Fun is the perfect show for us to connect with others truly invested in the future of general aviation and flight training,” said Doug May, vice president, Piston Aircraft. “We’ve made significant strides in enhancing our piston product line since last year’s show, including introducing the Turbo Stationair HD and integrating Garmin G1000 NXi avionics into our piston aircraft. We’re excited to highlight these updates at the show as we continue to meet the needs for flight training all over the world.”

Textron Aviation further supports the next generation of pilots with initiatives such as the Top Hawk program and the company’s growing network of Cessna Pilot Centers (CPC).

Top Hawk universities take delivery of their new aircraft

The 2017 Top Hawk university partners recently took delivery of their new, custom-branded Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft to be used for flight training, recruiting efforts and promotional activities throughout the year. Textron Aviation has partnered with Auburn University, Eastern Kentucky University, Louisiana Tech University, The Ohio State University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale to support the advancement of general aviation and the modernization of aircraft training fleets. Representatives from each university visited Textron Aviation headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, to pick up the keys to their new aircraft.

Through the Top Hawk program, the company helps provide students with state-of-the-art resources such as the leading flight trainer and most produced single-engine aircraft of all time – the Cessna Skyhawk 172. The Skyhawk continues to be the world standard for pilot training, and is renowned for offering the best combination of modern features including proven dependability, and now, the next-generation flight deck that provides a more connected, efficient and modern cockpit. The aircraft’s high-wing design enables superior flying characteristics ideally suited for pilot training.

Cessna Pilot Center network continues to gain momentum

The CPC network, which experienced significant growth last year, has already added five schools to the network this year. The network makes up the largest and most experienced flight training team in the world. CPCs use the Cessna Flight Training System, a comprehensive, proven flight-training program that produces competent, prepared and confident new pilots. More than 7,000 students utilized the curriculum in 2016 and the network continues to grow and find new opportunities to better support the flight training community. The curriculum has undergone several updates and is now offered as a mobile platform.

Images:

Eastern Kentucky University Top Hawk

The Ohio State University Top Hawk

Auburn University Top Hawk

Southern Illinois University Carbondale Top Hawk

Louisiana Tech University Top Hawk