Liberty University Top Hawk Team Visits Air Associates of Missouri on Tour of Flight Training Affiliates

By Carmelo Turdo

Phil McLanahan (L) and
Jonny Hewitt

Pilots from the Liberty University School of Aeronautics visited  Air Associates of Missouri today during their Midwest tour on their way to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.  Liberty University is a partner school for the Cessna Top Hawk Flight Training Affiliate program, offering online aeronautical degree programs and flight training opportunities at Cessna Pilot Training Centers such as Air Associates of Missouri.  The Aero Experience met with Jonny Hewitt, CFI, and Phil McLanahan, A&P/IA, to get a first-hand look at the Liberty University Top Hawk Program in action.

Hewitt and McLanahan have embarked on a tour of the network of flight affiliates that have joined together to offer flight training at local home airports for students of the Liberty University School of Aeronautics.  The Flight Training Affiliate Program gives students who do not attend the school's Lynchburg, VA campus an opportunity to earn their Bachelor of Science Degree from Liberty University Online while taking flight training at Cessna Pilot Centers like Air Associates of Missouri.  This arrangement is also available to students receiving federal financial aide and service veterans receiving GI Bill benefits. 

 

 

During the Cessna Top Hawk tour, Hewitt and McLanahan have already made a positive impact on the people they have met at the Flight Training Affiliates around the country.  Numerous students have begun the application process for the Liberty University degree and flight programs.  And as often happens within the aviation community, there are opportunities to interact with some very special aviators:

 

 

During the visit to Air Associates of Missouri, Liberty University CFI Jonny Hewitt gave local service veteran and program applicant, Timothy McKenna, a discovery orientation flight in the local area surrounding Spirit of St. Louis Airport where Air Associates of Missouri is based.  Just prior to the flight, Hewitt explained the financial aide options for service veterans and those using federal tuition assistance:

 

Prospective student,Timothy McKenna (L), with CFI Jonny Hewitt 

The Liberty University Top Hawk team will have their new Cessna 172 Skyhawk at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, and The Aero Experience will visit them at their exhibit next week.  Check out the Liberty University School of Aeronautics and the Flight Training Affiliate Program with Air Associates of Missouri and start your application today. 

The Aero Experience wishes to thank the Liberty University Top Hawk Team and Air Associates of Missouri for their hospitality.   

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014: General and Business Aviation Review

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience closes our coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 with another look at the general and business aviation aircraft that were featured at the exhibits and flying during the week.  New products, such as the Epic E1000, Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet, TBM-900, and HondaJet join the current stable of Aviat Husky, Kodiak Quest, Piaggio Avanti, Embraer, Piper and Cessna aircraft.  We also found that almost any aircraft can be fitted with floats!

The Aero Experience sincerely thanks Air Associates of Missouri and Air Associates of Kansas for sponsoring our year-round coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014.  We are proud to announce that they will also sponsor the coverage EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 beginning next week!   

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014: Vintage Aircraft Review

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience celebrates the final days of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 coverage with this look back on the EAA Vintage Aircraft Association exhibit and other vintage aircraft on display during the week.  In this survey we have a variety of aircraft from the Benoist Lark of Duluth early flying boat, to Ford Trimotors, to Fairchild  24 and 27 models, Wacos, Stinsons, Electras and early Cessnas.  There is one of almost any type of vintage aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014!