Top Hawk is leading the way for aviation programs to continue training the next generation of pilots. Top Hawk provides students with access to the world’s most popular trainer aircraft, the Cessna® Skyhawk® piston.
Select universities and Cessna® Pilot Centers will participate in Top Hawk to promote general aviation and connect future pilots to higher education. They will receive a factory new, custom branded Cessna® Skyhawk® aircraft to use for the duration of the program to promote aviation at air shows, aviation contests, and recruiting events. Top Hawk aircraft also allow schools to showcase their connection to Textron Aviation’s reputable internship program and support discovery flights and learn to fly programs.
Congratulations to Flex Air, Lunken Flight Training Center, United Flight Systems and VNE Aviation who are participating in the 2025 Top Hawk program to promote general aviation and connect future pilots to higher education!
United Flight Systems
unitedflight.com
United Flight Systems (UFS), founded in 1989 at David Wayne Hooks Airport (KDWH), has been a trusted Cessna® Pilot Center serving North Houston for over three decades. As a Part 141 flight school, our mission has always been to train pilots to maximum proficiency—not merely to meet minimum standards. Our continuously growing fleet of Cessna® aircraft and our advanced full-motion Redbird Simulator, which replicates various Cessna® training models, offer our students top-tier training experiences. Family-owned since its inception, UFS boasts a dedicated team and an outstanding Student Success staff that works closely with every student, providing personalized guidance and support. Our students benefit from the web-based Cessna® Training Kits, used alongside our expert instruction to consistently achieve high first-time pass rates for both knowledge and practical exams.
In addition to top-notch training, UFS is a proud host of the popular "Behind the Prop" podcast, listened to across five continents daily! We are also a flight training affiliate for Liberty University, VA-approved and SEVIS-approved, ensuring that we offer opportunities for a wide range of students. Over the past two years, UFS has earned the honor of being named an AOPA Distinguished Flight School. This year, we’re thrilled to be recognized by Cessna® as a Top Hawk recipient. With four decades of excellence in training pilots, we’re excited for the future and eager to introduce the latest Cessna® innovations to our students as we continue our legacy of creating safe, proficient pilots for years to come.
The content of this bio was written and provided by United Flight Systems.
Lunken Flight Training Center
flylftc.com
Based at Cincinnati Ohio’s historic Lunken Airport, Lunken Flight Training Center (LFTC) is the only Cessna® Pilot Center in Ohio. With a long-standing reputation for quality training, LFTC provides many flight training programs for aspiring pilots of all backgrounds. LFTC features a new AATD flight simulator, a late-model Cessna® 172 Skyhawk fleet, and several classrooms and briefing rooms. As an FAA approved Part 141 flight school, flight training is standardized utilizing the Cessna Flight Training System. LFTC also partners with Purdue Global where students can achieve a college degree while completing their flight training.
LFTC offers two different programs that meet the needs of all students, PATH and FLEX. The PATH program is designed as an accelerated course geared toward individuals who want to make aviation their career. The FLEX program gives the student the ability to learn at their own pace, control their own schedule, all with the same quality of training expected at Lunken Flight Training Center.
Founded in 2006, Lunken Flight Training Center has grown to be one of the largest flight schools in the tri-state region and is humbled to be one of the recipients of the 2025 Cessna® Top Hawk.
The content of this bio was written and provided by Lunken Flight Training Center.
Flex Air
goflexair.com
Flex Air was founded on the belief that flight training is more than just how to fly an aircraft, it’s about joining a community of pilots and professionals. We are a proudly veteran and minority-owned and operated flight school that specializes in career-focused training for non-traditional students and anyone aspiring to a career as a professional pilot. Our Part 61 / 141 Cessna® Pilot Center operations are based in Southern California and Eastern Kansas at the KMYF, KMHK and KOJC airports, where we have received two AOPA Flight Training Experience Distinguished Flight School awards, five AOPA Distinguished Flight Instructor awards and attained a 100% career placement rate for all our program graduates since our founding in 2016.
Our mentorship programs and connections set us apart at Flex Air. We are a Department of Defense SkillBridge flight training provider for transitioning military veterans and a Project Ascension flight school for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. We are deeply honored to be a Top Hawk 2025 flight school, and are excited to introduce the next generation of professional pilots to the latest and best version of the Cessna® 172 Skyhawk!
The content of this bio was written and provided by Flex Air.
VNE Aviation
vneaviation.uk
VNE Aviation is one of the UK’s most forward-thinking aviation training providers, setting new benchmarks in world-class pilot education and advanced flight simulation. Founded by a team of seasoned aviation professionals, VNE Aviation specializes in professional pilot training, cutting-edge helicopter and fixed-wing simulation, and a range of bespoke aviation services.
With a strong focus on safety, innovation and excellence, VNE Aviation integrates the latest-generation aircraft with advanced simulators to deliver an unparalleled training experience. By combining real-world flying with cutting-edge simulation, the company ensures pilots gain the skills and confidence needed to excel at every stage of their training.
Operating from Leeds Bradford International Airport, a fully operational international hub, VNE Aviation offers students real-world exposure to complex airspace and professional Air Traffic Control operations. This dynamic environment prepares trainees for seamless transitions into commercial and professional aviation roles, equipping them with the confidence and competence to succeed in any flying scenario.
Through exceptional training, immersive simulation and an unwavering commitment to aviation excellence, VNE Aviation is empowering the next generation of pilots and setting new standards for flight training in the UK and beyond.
The content of this bio was written and provided by VNE Aviation.