Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University To Purchase Up To 60 Cessna Skyhawk Trainers Through 2022

    Posted On: July 31, 2019

    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has agreed to purchase of at least 60 Cessna Skyhawk trainers. The flight training school has reportedly purchased more than 75 aircraft from Textron Aviation since 2014. (Photo courtesy of Textron Aviation.)

    Textron Aviation, owner of the Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker aircraft brands, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have a more than two-decade relationship. Since 2014 alone, Embry-Riddle has purchased more than 75 aircraft from Textron Aviation, the majority them Cessna Skyhawk piston trainers.

    In late July, the companies built on their relationship by announcing a Memorandum of Understanding in which Embry-Riddle has agreed to purchase at least 60 more Cessna aircraft through 2022 with options for more. The companies inked the deal at the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture 2019 event that took place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in late July.

    The Trainer Of Choice

    Embry-Riddle’s roots date back to 1925 when John Paul Riddle and T. Higbee Embry formed the Embry-Riddle Company to provide flight training. Today, the university has residential campuses located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, and also provides various online educational programs. Both campuses are equipped with fleets of Cessna Skyhawks, which will be replenished by this latest deal, Textron says.

    Textron claims that with more than 44,000 Skyhawks entered into service, more Skyhawks have been delivered to customers than any other type of aircraft. Ron Draper, Textron Aviation CEO and president, says Embry-Riddle making the Skyhawk its long-time trainer of choice is a continued testament to the aircraft’s status as the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built. Embry-Riddle President Dr. P. Barry Butler says the university chose the Skyhawk following an “exhaustive evaluation” by a team of university experts that was rigorously focused on aviation safety.


    Textron Aviation, maker of the Cessna Skyhawk single-engine piston aircraft, has a more than 20-year relationship with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has purchased dozens of Cessna trainer aircraft from Textron over the years. (Photo courtesy of Textron Aviation.)
    The Skyhawk Soars

    While Cessna offers the Skyhawk in a standard four-passenger configuration, the Skyhawk trainer configuration includes three seats. Designed for instructors, students, and observers, the aircraft measures 27.2 feet (8.3 meters) long, provides a maximum cruise speed of 124 ktas and a maximum range of 640 nautical miles (1,185 kilometers), is equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, and is powered by a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine rated for 180 horsepower.

    You’ll find a wide selection of new and used Cessna aircraft for sale every day on Controller.com, including scores of new and used Cessna single-engine piston planes for sale.

    Source: Textron Aviation

    Questions? Comments? Visit the Controller Forums to ask questions, get answers, and share your thoughts.

      Blog Archive
    Used Aircraft Segment Sees Notable Year-Over-Year Inventory Declines, Mixed Trends For Asking Prices
    Posted 8/17/2026
    Watch our new Sandhills Global aviation market report video for inventory and value trends affecting used jets, piston singles, and other aircraft on Sandhills platforms. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Used Aircraft Inventory Remains Low Compared to Year-Ago Levels While Asking Values See Mixed Trends
    Posted 8/10/2026
    Sandhills Global aviation market reports show double-digit year-over-year inventory level decreases for pre-owned jets, single-engine piston aircraft, and turboprop aircraft. ...
    Read the full blog post
    What's New At Sandhills Global
    Posted 7/17/2026
    Find out about the latest Sandhills news, including AI to write your asset descriptions, the new UCC Search app, a new e-commerce solution, and more. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Auction & Realty Company Kiko Auctioneers Sees Quick Success, Future Growth With Sandhills
    Posted 7/16/2026
    Kiko Auctioneers began working with Sandhills in 2025, when the company partnered with Controller.com, Executive Controller, and Equipmentfacts to sell several Cessna and Embraer business jets, and has never looked back. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Cirrus Aircraft Aims To Transform Flight Training With New TRAC10
    Posted 7/14/2026
    Cirrus Aircraft has expanded its flight training aircraft lineup with the new TRAC10, a three-seat, single-engine aircraft designed specifically for professional, collegiate, and career-oriented flight schools. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Year-Over-Year Used Aircraft Inventory Levels Continue To Slide In June
    Posted 7/13/2026
    Watch our new Sandhills Global market report video for inventory and value trends affecting used jets, piston singles, and other aircraft on Sandhills platforms. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Dassault Aviation Completes Maiden Flight Of Falcon 10X Business Jet
    Posted 7/6/2026
    Dassault Aviation’s all-new Falcon 10X, designed to be the largest dedicated business jet in service, recently moved a step closer to certification after completing its maiden flight in France. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Supply Constraints Remain in Pre-Owned Aircraft Market as Inventory Levels Continue to Decline
    Posted 7/6/2026
    The newest Sandhills Global aviation market reports show continued year-over-year inventory decreases across several used aircraft categories in June. ...
    Read the full blog post
    AAI: How We Create FAA-Certified Specialized Repairs For King Air Landing Gear
    Posted 6/29/2026
    AAI explains how maintaining aircraft isn't just about replacing worn parts, it's also about knowing when and how to repair them the right way. ...
    Read the full blog post
    Bombardier Delivers First Global 8000 In Asia, Marking A Key Milestone For Ultra-Long-Range Aviation In The Region
    Posted 6/23/2026
    With a top speed of Mach 0.95, a range of 8,000 nautical miles, and access to 30% more airports than its closest rival, the Global 8000 sets a new benchmark for performance, flexibility, and productivity in business aviation. ...
    Read the full blog post