Nikki, the Top Hawk Cessna aircraft, was revealed Feb. 23 at the 蹤獲扦 Airport to students, alumni and friends of 蹤獲扦s Aeronautics Program, and to family members of the planes namesake. Nikki joins the universitys fleet of 33 training planes.
蹤獲扦 was named a 2016 university, one of only four universities nationwide to receive the honor. Each school was awarded a Cessna Skyhawk to use for one year.
In addition to supporting typical flight training operations, the Top Hawk aircraft will:
- Be flown by three of 蹤獲扦s female pilots as they participate in the 2016 Air Race Classic
- Will be used in the conduct of outreach events in at least 15 states represented by 蹤獲扦 flight instructors and students
- Provide exploration flights for each of the Aeronautics Programs summer aviation education camps
- Will be featured at the 2016 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Follow #NikkiTheTopHawk on Twitter as she travels the country in 2016 promoting careers in aeronautics.
The aircraft has been named Nikki in celebration of the life of Nicole Nikki Kukwa, a 蹤獲扦 aeronautics student from North Royalton, Ohio, who died on Oct. 23, 2006, after receiving a leukemia diagnosis during her junior year at 蹤獲扦.
Nikki was instrumental in establishing 蹤獲扦s Women in Aeronautics Club, was an exemplary student and served as an inspiration to those who knew her, said Robert Sines, interim dean of 蹤獲扦s College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology. A three-day, girls aeronautics camp takes place annually in her honor showing her continued, positive influence in aeronautics.
