Cessna Aircraft Company announces the delivery of seven 172R Skyhawks to Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). The Skyhawks will be used for flight training in SIUC's aviation program.

"We traded in seven of our old Cessna 152s in order to make this purchase," said David A. NewMyer, chair of SIUC's Department of Aviation Management and Flight.

"This is the first time in 18 years that we've been able to add new equipment to our fleet. These planes all use the latest flight technology, including GPS navigation systems, which will be good for our students' training." The aircraft order was awarded through Mid-Continent Aircraft, a Cessna Sales Team Authorized Representative (CSTAR), located in Hayti, Missouri, where the delivery took place.

SIUC Aviation is Illinois' premiere post-secondary aviation program. Since 1960 SIUC has been training students as professionals in the aviation industry. Currently under-graduate degree programs are available in Aviation Flight, Aviation Management, and Aviation Technologies as well as a Masters of Public Administration with an Aviation Administration Concentration.

FMI: www.textron.com, www.siu.edu