Textron Aviation announces recipients of the 2024 Top Hawk program, elevating pilot training with the new and enhanced Cessna Skyhawk

WICHITA, Kan. (April. 2, 2024) — Textron Aviation is thrilled to announce the recipients of the highly anticipated 2024 Top Hawk program. This program, aimed at promoting general aviation and inspiring young individuals to pursue a career in aviation, places the renowned Cessna Skyhawk training aircraft with top pilot training programs across the country.

The Cessna Skyhawk is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

Textron Aviation is proud to welcome the following organizations as the recipients of the program:

Air Fleet Training Systems 

Cactus Aviation 

Equus Flight Academy  

Oklahoma Aviation 

Spirit Aviation 

Each of these organizations will receive a factory-new, custom-branded Cessna Skyhawk equipped with the all-new interiors announced in 2023 for the duration of the program. These aircraft will be utilized for student pilot training and for pilot recruitment purposes at air shows, aviation contests and industry events. 

"We are excited to continue supporting general aviation and the future of pilot training through the renowned Cessna Skyhawk," said Chris Crow, vice president, Piston Sales. "The Top Hawk program provides these organizations with access to the most advanced flight training platform available, empowering students and inspiring the next generation of aviators." 

Textron Aviation works with universities, training organizations and flight schools throughout the world, and the Top Hawk program plays a vital role in the initiative to support the advancement of general aviation and modernization of aircraft training fleets.  

Since launching the program in 2015, Textron Aviation has placed over 45 Cessna Skyhawks with participating Top Hawk organizations around the world, supporting student training to help fill the pipeline of skilled aviators and inspire the journey of flight.  

About the Cessna Skyhawk   

The Cessna Skyhawk is considered the aircraft of choice for pilot training, and it is the most popular single-engine aircraft in aviation history. Since the aircraft first took flight in 1955, over 45,000 Cessna 172 aircraft have been delivered to customers around the world — more than any other aircraft in the industry. The single-engine four-seat, high-wing Skyhawk is renowned for offering the best combination of modern features, including the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with wireless connectivity, a standard angle-of-attack display system and proven dependability. The Cessna Skyhawk's new and modern interior includes features such as power headset plugs at each seat, USB charging ports and upgraded seats for enhanced comfort. The aircraft also features McCauley's aluminum fixed pitch propeller, providing greater reliability and operating time and a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine with 180 horsepower.  

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About Textron Aviation   

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com| www.defense.txtav.com| www.scorpionjet.com.   

About Textron Inc.   

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipstrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com