OSHKOSH, WIS. – Cessna Aircraft Company developed a unique internship program this summer which challenged high-energy aviation students from around the country to see who could generate the most awareness and hands-on experience for the innovative Cessna Skycatcher. The inaugural “Cessna Discover Flying Challenge” commenced on June 23 at the Cessna Open House in Independence, Kan., an event, which commemorated the company’s 85th anniversary, and concluded at EAA AirVenture in July 2012.
The interns departed from Cessna’s Independence facility in new Skycatchers with customized paint schemes that identified their participation in the program. During the program’s run, the pilots attended various fly-ins, air shows and visited Cessna Pilot Centers. As part of their creative efforts to drive awareness and virtual engagement in their journey, they posted videos on the Cessna YouTube channel, and updated Facebook and Twitter feeds documenting their adventure as they flew from one destination to the next.
“Our pilot interns had the unique ability to introduce people to the product and take them on training flights to experience the aircraft firsthand,” said Tracy Leopold, Cessna business leader for the Skycatcher. We have found when people are exposed to flight in a Skycatcher, their interest in the product increases.”