Textron flies into Lynchburg
School of Aeronautics will host the Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference
Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics (SOA) has had a robust relationship with Textron, owner of the Cessna brand, primarily due to several agreements and partnerships over the course of 2014. Because of these extensive partnerships, the Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference will be held at Liberty University for the
first time. The conference will take place June 17-19.
State-of-the-art — School of Aeronautics fleet has been outfitted with latest avionics packages. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
Beginning in April 2014, SOA began a unique affiliation with Cessna. The agreement consisted of a two-fold relationship, allowing students to train with Cessna at their Pilot Centers while taking online courses with SOA, achieving a Cessna certification and a college degree.
“This has opened doors to many who have dreamed of becoming a pilot but who were unable to come to Lynchburg,” Brian Hough, chief flight instructor with Freedom Aviation, said. “Uniquely, the Flight Training Afflilate program has made funding available to these students to cover the cost of their degree and flight training, by way of Federal Financial Aid and Veterans Benefits.”
In August 2014, Textron delivered its 10,000th Skyhawk to SOA as an act of friendship, customizing the plane with a special paint job denoting the milestone.
In November 2014, Textron executives came to Lynchburg Regional Airport to sign a long-term agreement with SOA. This agreement ensured continuing delivery of Cessna Skyhawk aircraft for the growing program. According to Cessna’s website, more than 48,000 have been delivered.
These partnerships have accumulated to the distinct honor of hosting the Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference, which is expected to bring aviation professionals from around the globe to Liberty’s campus. Cessna reached out to Liberty, requestingits acceptance to host the conference.
“Hosting the annual Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference is but one example of the recognition our program is garnering throughout the country as well as internationally,” Dave Young, president of Freedom Aviation and Liberty associate professor, said. “Two hundred or more attendees will have first time exposure to one of the nation’s top university-level aviation programs, as well as the Freedom Aviation first-rate Cessna Pilot Center.”
According to a Liberty news release, the attendees will receive tours of the campus, as well as a tour around Liberty Mountain Snowflex Cent. The event will include a special session for Chinese flight schools. It covers current trends in aviation, including effective strategies when managing a flight school.
According to Hough, Liberty’s on-site Cessna Pilot Center enabled the campus to host the annual event.
“Textron Aviation, the parent company of Cessna Aircraft Company, created an elite organization of pilot training schools located throughout the U.S.,” Hough said.
“These Cessna Pilot Centers (CPC) set the highest of standards and are selected by Cessna for the quality of their training.”
In addition to the onsite Cessna Pilot Center, the partnership with Freedom Aviation has proven to be a valuable asset.
“LU aviation is unique in that it encompasses a School of Aeronautics and also owns a full service Fixed Base Operator (FBO),” Young said. “This combination has afforded the university and its FBO, Freedom Aviation, unprecedented opportunities.”
Young added that this relationship is what has driven the growth of SOA, combined with the overall success of Liberty University.
“As this model continues to develop, I envision it morphing into an Aviation Center of Excellence,” Young said. “(This includes) incorporating the headquarters for a nationwide franchise of LU’s Flight Training Affiliates, a laboratory environment supporting the SOA and the curriculum of other LU schools, a venue for hosting aviation conferences and seminars, a stimulant for incubating and attracting aviation related businesses and a regular occurring major airshow.”
Van Dyk is the news editor.