Nikki, the Top Hawk Cessna aircraft, was revealed Feb. 23 at the ֱ State University Airport to students, alumni and friends of ֱ State University’s Aeronautics Program, and to family members of the plane’s namesake. Nikki joins the university’s fleet of 33 training planes.
ֱ State 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 ֱ State’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 ֱ State flight instructors and students
- Provide exploration flights for each of the Aeronautics Program’s 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 ֱ State aeronautics student from North Royalton, Ohio, who died on Oct. 23, 2006, after receiving a leukemia diagnosis during her junior year at ֱ State.
“Nikki was instrumental in establishing ֱ State’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 ֱ State’s College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology. “A three-day, girl’s aeronautics camp takes place annually in her honor showing her continued, positive influence in aeronautics.”