Cessna announces Skyhawk order at Sun ‘n Fun opening

Textron Aviation subsidiary Cessna Aircraft Co. said Tuesday it has signed a long-term agreement with the Ohio State University’s flight education program that includes an aircraft order.

Cessna said in a news release the agreement includes an initial order of five 172 Skyhawk single, piston-engine airplanes and support.

The announcement was made at the opening of the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Fla.

Skyhawk deliveries will begin in May. The length of the agreement is through 2022.

“The new Skyhawks will continue upgrades to the fleet that will give aviation students enrolled in the university’s Center for Aviation Studies access to the more advanced avionics and NextGen compatible systems that they likely will encounter when they graduate and move into professional aviation careers,” Brandon Mann, Ohio State’s director of flight education, said in the release.

Ohio State’s training fleet comprises Cessna 152s, 172s and 310s.

Cessna also announced at Sun ‘n Fun on Tuesday that it will begin offering a standard production interior for its single-engine turboprop Caravans that is more comfortable and lighter weight.

Sun ‘n Fun runs through Sunday.

This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Cessna announces Skyhawk order at Sun ‘n Fun opening."