Liberty University Expands Pilot Training Program with 16 Additional Cessna Skyhawks

Textron Aviation has announced an agreement with Liberty University for the purchase of 16 Cessna Skyhawks to be delivered beginning in 2026. The aircraft will add to Liberty University’s existing fleet of 24 Skyhawks to ensure that the university’s students receive the highest quality pilot training aircraft available.

Cessna Skyhawk

“We are proud to support Liberty University’s aviation program and equip students with access to the industry-leading Cessna Skyhawk,” said Chris Crow, vice president, Piston Sales. “Liberty University’s commitment to excellence in aviation education aligns with Textron Aviation’s vision of inspiring the journey of flight, and we are confident that these aircraft will enhance the training experience for their students.”

With a longstanding reputation for excellence in aviation education, the acquisition of these 16 Cessna Skyhawks marks a significant expansion milestone for Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics. The Skyhawk’s stable flight characteristics, advanced avionics, and proven dispatch reliability have made it a trusted training platform for over six decades. The expanded fleet will allow even more students to train on the industry’s most popular training aircraft.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.