Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced key sponsors for the 2016 Top Hawk program. Garmin, Bose and MYGOFLIGHT will provide several of their industry-leading products to support the Top Hawk Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft and partner University interns.
“Textron Aviation is excited to partner with these top aviation companies to provide our 2016 Top Hawk universities with cutting-edge technology,” said Doug May, vice president, Piston Aircraft. “These companies are known for their state-of-the-art products and services and providing Top Hawk universities with the best tools and technology in the industry helps ensure future pilots receive the best training available.”
Garmin will provide a G1000 database subscription, GDL39 ADS-B receiver, Garmin Pilot subscription and Garmin VIRB XE HD action camera. With these tools, universities can utilize the Garmin G1000 avionics to its full potential and record video during flights to capture performance data and assist with training.
Bose will provide its A20 active noise canceling headsets for each Top Hawk aircraft. The A20 is a full featured, FAA TSO’d headset that provides industry leading noise reduction, a comfortable fit, and clear audio which, when combined, provides a better flying experience for the user and improves communication between student, instructor and air traffic control. The A20 was recently updated with a full function Bluetooth profile allowing for wireless streaming audio and connectivity to popular tablet navigation software.
MYGOFLIGHT will provide the Top Hawk interns with the Flight Bag PLC Pro, iPad Folio Kneeboard, and iPad Flex Suction & Yoke Mounts. This gear helps pilots protect their iPads, headsets and other gear when traveling to and from the aircraft and to make their iPads secure, viewable and operable in flight creating a more productive cabin environment.
Since the launch of this year’s Top Hawk program, the four universities have been using their aircraft for everything from recruiting events to providing discovery flights in an effort to help bolster students’ interest in aviation. Kent State took its Skyhawk to the Piston Power show in Cleveland, Ohio and is utilizing it for one-on-one flight experiences with students, while LeTourneau is using its aircraft to provide discovery flight to students. Westminster traveled to Las Vegas where it provided flights in the Skyhawk to prospective students, and Purdue has given tours of the aircraft to new and prospective students.
Each year Cessna selects four aviation universities to participate in its Top Hawk program and provides a custom branded Cessna Skyhawk aircraft for use by the universities for flight training and promotional activities. Students from the Top Hawk schools will also participate in Textron Aviation’s internship program through the company’s employee flying club. During the summer internship, students gain exposure to business operations, lead ground school classes and continue to build flight hours through flying lessons and discovery flights.
The Skyhawk is the world standard for pilot training and is renowned for offering the best combination of modern features, including the G1000 avionics system and proven dependability. The aircraft’s high-wing design enables superior flying characteristics ideally suited for pilot training. More Skyhawks have been delivered to customers around the world than any other type of aircraft.
Image: Top Hawk 2016 sponsors