Press Release
Lunken Flight Training Center Selected as a 2025 Top Hawk Recipient
Cincinnati, OH – April 2, 2025 – Lunken Flight Training Center (LFTC) is honored to be selected as a 2025 Top Hawk recipient by Textron Aviation. This prestigious program, now in its tenth year, provides select aviation schools with a factory-new, custom-branded Cessna® Skyhawk® to support flight training, industry outreach, and student pilot development.
Lunken Flight Training Center joins United Flight Systems, Flex Air, and VNE Aviation—as part of this milestone year, which also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Cessna Skyhawk.
“We are honored to be selected in the 2025 Top Hawk Program,” said Jay Schmalfuss, Owner of Lunken Flight Training Center. “The addition of a Top Hawk Skyhawk to our fleet will allow us to enhance our programs, introduce more students to aviation, and strengthen our impact on the next generation of pilots.”
As a Cessna Pilot Center, LFTC is committed to delivering high-quality training programs that prepare students for professional aviation careers. With the addition of the Top Hawk, LFTC will expand its ability to connect with the local aviation community and continue to provide collegiate-level flight training.
The Top Hawk incorporates modern technology, including Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, an angle-of-attack display, USB charging ports, and a new modern interior including upgraded seats for enhanced comfort. The aircraft’s Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine and McCauley fixed-pitch propeller provide exceptional performance and dependability, making it the ideal training aircraft for aspiring pilots.
Lunken Flight Training Center looks forward to using this incredible opportunity to inspire the next generation of aviators. For updates on LFTC’s Top Hawk journey, visit flyLFTC.com/top-hawk or find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Top Hawk Program
The Top Hawk Program is to promote general aviation and connect future pilots to higher education. They will receive a factory new, custom branded Cessna® Skyhawk® aircraft to use for the duration of the program.
View MorePress Release
Textron Aviation celebrates ten years of Top Hawk program with four new recipients, including first in the U.K.
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We are two weeks out from our 20th Year Anniversary Party! Take advantage of this opportunity to meet our staff, see our aircraft, and learn more about Lunken Flight Training Center!
Food, music, giveaways, airplanes, and great people, what could be better?
Register for free through the link in our bio!
#flylftc #cessnapilotcenter #flighttraining #aviation #lunkenairport
Sep 8
Grab a spot while you can! Get your COMMERCIAL MULTI ADD-ON or your MULTI-ENGINE INSTRUCTOR in our state-of-the-art Diamond DA-42NG!
Course details:
-Up to 10 hours of dual instruction in the DA-42NG.
-Unlimited use of our Redbird Simulator.
-A 1 day ground school led by one of our experienced MEIs.
Course cost: $6,495
For more information or to save your seat, give us a call or email:
(513)-321-3211 info@flylftc.com.
#flylftc #flighttraining #multiengine #aviation #da42
Sep 2
August was an incredibly busy month here at LFTC! We had 17 students complete a license or rating, 10 of which were completed under Part 141 Self-Examining Authority!
Congratulations to everyone who completed a new certificate, rating, or first solo!
#flylftc #cessnapilotcenter #flighttraining #aviation #pilottraining
🔹James K-PPL
🔹Jackson S-PPL
🔹Patrick D-PPL
🔹Deeptanshu U-PPL
🔹Brendan B-PPL
🔹Addison C-PPL
🔹Daniel M-PPL
🔹Xavier T-PPL
🔹Feona M-PPL
🔸Luke K-INS
🔸Josh H-INS
🔸Chase M-INS
🔸Luke N-INS
🟩Brett F-ME
🟩Jack E-ME
🟩Taylor C-ME
▫️Ryan E-FIRST SOLO
▫️Henry P-FIRST SOLO
▫️Kevin K-FIRST SOLO
▫️Sophie P-FIRST SOLO
▫️Brendan O-FIRST SOLO
▫️Eli F-FIRST SOLO
▪️Owen R-COMM
Sep 1
We’re excited to be speaking at Ascend Flight Training Summit 2026 this September in Dallas.
Our Chief Flight Instructor, Rick Miller, will be presenting Student Personalities - And What To Do About Them, a topic that’s becoming increasingly important as aviation continues to shift and evolve. We’re Looking forward to exchanging ideas with peers across flight training, operations, and the broader aviation ecosystem.
The most valuable moments at events like this often happen outside the agenda, in the side conversations, shared challenges, and unexpected insights.
If you’re in aviation, this is one of those rooms you’ll want to be in.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the conversation. Register today.
#flylftc #ascend #nafi #flighttraining
Aug 22
🚨LFTCs 20th Year Anniversary Party is 7 weeks out!🚨
💰For your chance to win this awesome Lego DC-3, Brightline Flight Bag, YAESU Transceiver, or an LFTC Swag Bag-Register for and attend our 20th Year Anniversary Party!
📲To register, follow the link in our Bio
#flylftc #cessnapilotcenter #flighttraining #20thanniversary
Aug 4
July gave us some awesome weather and allowed our students to finish up those certificates, ratings, and first solos! Well done everyone!
🔹Cayden D. FIRST SOLO
🔹Matt A. PPL
🔹James R. PPL
🔹Alexander D. FIRST SOLO
🔹Braiden C. FIRST SOLO
🔹Harley C. INS
🔹Dillon T. FIRST SOLO
🔹Deetya p. FIRST SOLO
🔹Ebin A. INS EOC
🔹Lindsey J. PPL
🔹Kennith B. PPL
🔹Luke K. INS EOC
🔹John G. FIRST SOLO
🔹Jack B. PPL
🔹Sophie P. FIRST SOLO
🔹Luke G. CFI
#flylftc #cessnapilotcenter #flighttraining #pilottraining #aviation
Aug 1
June was a busy month here at LFTC for our students! Congratulations to everyone who completed a First Solo, Checkride, or End of Course Test! Way to go everyone!
🔹Chase M. PPL EOC
🔹Hannah M. First Solo
🔹Luke F. First Solo
🔹Deeptanshu S. First Solo
🔹Addison C. First Solo
🔹James M. First Solo
🔹Aiden C. INS EOC
🔹Nicholas B. PPL
🔹Spencer E. COMM ME
🔹Patrick C. PPL
🔹Max N. COMM
🔹Ryan M. First Solo
🔹William S. PPL EOC
🔹Cooper M. PPL
🔹Eddie J. First Solo
🔹Troy G. INS
🔹Chase W. CFI
🔹Matt C. INS
🔹Austin E. PPL
🔹Drew B. First Solo
#flylftc #cessnapilotcenter #flighttraining #pilottraining #aviation
Jul 1
No more waiting months for a checkride! With Part 141 Self-Examining Authority, you can take your End Of Course Test here at LFTC.
To learn more about Self-Examining Authority, visit flylftc.com or give us a call at 513.321.3211
#flylftc #cessnapilotcenter #selfexaminingauthority #flighttraining #part141
Jun 17
