Cessna selects 2017 Top Hawk schools

Cessna, a Textron Aviation subsidiary, launched the Top Hawk program in 2015, and leases each school (for the academic year) a new aircraft with a custom livery: the logo of each school displayed on the tail. The program puts Cessna aircraft on the school flight lines, and the 2017 edition adds some other goodies, including Bose headsets and Garmin avionics and action cameras.

The top students from each of the five schools will be selected for a Textron Aviation summer internship, offering real-world experience in many aspects of aviation beyond the flight training programs, working in various corporate departments from marketing to engineering.

“Each year, the Top Hawk program continues to expand its reach and we are excited to grow the program with five university partners in 2017,” said Doug May, Textron Aviation vice president for piston aircraft. “These universities are renowned for their innovative aviation programs and we are confident they will represent the Top Hawk program and Cessna brand very well as we work together to provide students state-of-the art resources and empower them to choose a rewarding career in aviation.”

Educators interested in participating in future editions of the program can contact the company online.