Embry-Riddle and Cessna Aircraft Company Announce Partnership
Oshkosh, Wis., Aug. 2, 1997 -- Today Cessna and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced a sales contract for nearly 300 Cessna Single Engine aircraft over a 12-year period. Also included in the transaction are the details of a partnership that will include joint marketing activities and flight training support.
The aircraft fleet order, the largest in recent history between a university and an airframe manufacturer, will commence with the delivery of the first 15 aircraft in Fall 1997. Aircraft on order include Skyhawks and future high performance single engine models developed by Cessna.
 In addition, Cessna and Embry-Riddle are committed to joint advertising, mutually beneficial marketing programs, and the integration of the Cessna Pilot Center Computer-Based Instruction (CBI) Program into the university's flight department.
"Cessna and Embry-Riddle have had a long-standing relationship and we are very pleased to be able to extend that partnership well into the future," stated Cessna Vice Chairman Gary Hay. "The Single Engine Team at Cessna is committed to providing the best single engine aircraft in the world, and in turn, we will benefit greatly from Embry-Riddle's extensive experience in flight training."
Founded in 1926, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has the largest aeronautical science (professional flight) degree program in the U.S., making it the country's leading institution in aviation and aerospace education. With residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, plus an extensive network of education centers throughout the United States and in other countries, Embry-Riddle offers a comprehensive education to prepare students for productive careers in aviation, aerospace engineering and related fields.
Embry-Riddle President Steve Sliwa, Ph.D. commented, "In order to meet our educational objectives, we must have aircraft that are reliable and well-suited for repeated training exercises. We are confident that Cessna understands our needs and will be the ideal flight training partner, both in personnel and in aircraft." Embry-Riddle will assist in the development of the CBI integrated ground and flight training curriculum. The partnership will also produce a new Cessna Pilot Center management and chief flight instructor training and standardization program to support the high quality standards of the CPC network.
"This new partnership between Embry-Riddle and Cessna is a clear demonstration of our joint commitment to the revitalization of general aviation," continued Hay. "We share a vision of the future in which thousands of people all over the world will enter the rewarding and exciting world of flying."
Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), a $9.3 billion global, multi-industry company with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and Finance.
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