Texas Southern University Aviation Program Showcased at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with Historic Cirrus Aircraft Fleet

Texas Southern University’s newly acquired fleet of Cirrus SR20 aircraft is being prominently featured at the Cirrus Aircraft display during the 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — the world’s largest aviation celebration.

This national spotlight underscores a historic milestone for the university’s rapidly growing aviation program. In 2024, TSU placed the largest single order of Cirrus aircraft for the year, securing 12 brand-new, state-of-the-art aircraft to transform its training capabilities and provide students with access to one of the most advanced collegiate aviation fleets in the country.

“This is a proud and historic moment for Texas Southern University and our aviation program,” said Dr. Terence Fontaine, Executive Director of Aviation. “To have our fleet highlighted on a national stage at EAA AirVenture is a testament to our bold vision and the investment our Board of Regents and the state have made in student success. These aircraft will not only modernize our training capabilities but also inspire the next generation of diverse aviators and aviation leaders.”

The featured fleet symbolizes Texas Southern’s commitment to elevating aviation education and increasing diversity in the aerospace industry through hands-on training and cutting-edge equipment.

“Texas Southern is yet again plowing new ground,” added Texas Southern Regent James Benham. “From owning zero aircraft in 2020 to having a brand-new fleet of 12 SR20 aircraft, and a student population of management and pilot students that currently exceeds 150 students and will soon exceed more than 200, we are poised to become the next great aerospace institute in the United States of America. Being featured by Cirrus at the world‘s largest airshow is proof again that Texas Southern is here to win.”

The Texas Southern Cirrus fleet, featuring the advanced SR Series aircraft, represents a new era in pilot education and reflects Texas Southern’s continued leadership in building pathways for underrepresented communities in aviation. In addition to the new fleet, Texas Southern will open a new 25,000 square foot hangar at Ellington Airport in the fall to house the new fleet and enhance capability for training pilots.

The university’s goal is to become one of the nation’s top ten aviation programs by 2030.

For more information about the Aviation Science program, visit: https://coset.tsu.edu/aviation-entry/.