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ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø College of Aviation and Aeronautical Science, the only comprehensive, university-level aviation program in the state of Texas, was selected by Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation, as a Top Hawk Partner University.

As part of the Top Hawk program, LETU aviation students will have the unique opportunity to take recruiting and outreach trips to airports around the country, as well as conduct flight training, in a brand new Cessna Skyhawk 172S, which will feature the university's colors and logo.

Top Hawk is leading the way for collegiate aviation programs to continue training the next generation of pilots. Top Hawk is a partnership between Textron Aviation and top university aviation schools to provide students with access to the world's most popular trainer, the Cessna® Skyhawk®, and provide unique internship opportunities with the leading general aviation manufacturer.

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø and three other selected universities will participate in Top Hawk 2016 to promote general aviation and connect future pilots to higher education. The selected Top Hawk universities will receive their logo-branded Cessna Skyhawk to use from February to September of 2016 to promote university aviation programs at air race competitions, recruiting events and more, as they showcase Textron Aviation's reputable internship program, and support discovery flights and learn-to-fly programs.

One LETU student, who is a certified flight instructor, will be named to an internship with Cessna and will have the opportunity to job-shadow different areas of Textron Aviation and participate in marketing, sales and customer service events.

"ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø is honored to have been selected to participate in this Top Hawk program," said LETU Dean for the School of Aviation and Aeronautical Science Fred Ritchey. "This new Cessna Skyhawk, with our LETU logo on it, will be a great asset for us. We already operate a fleet of Garmin G1000-equipped Cessna 172Rs for our commercial and instrument flight training."

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø's Abbott Aviation Center is a world-class facility located at the East Texas Regional Airport in Longview. LETU also offers flight training at its new facility in McKinney, Texas. LETU flight students initially fly tailwheel-configuration aircraft while they learn basic flight skills during flight training through the Private Pilot certificate. The school uses the fleet of Cessna aircraft for commercial and instrument flight training. Besides flight training, LETU offers degrees in aviation management, aircraft maintenance, remotely piloted aircraft, and air traffic control.

Travel schedules for the LETU Top Hawk aircraft will be determined in the weeks to come. ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø the LeTourneau Aviation Facebook Page for more information being posted in the next few days. https://www.facebook.com/LeTourneauAviation