Aircraft and Training Devices

Single-Engine Aircraft

Piper PA-28-161 Warrior

The Piper PA-28-161 Warrior III is our school's flight training workhorse.  There is no finer trainer built today.  The school replaced the entire fleet in 2003 with 10 new aircraft featuring the latest avionics, including Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation. The Aviation Center added two additional Warriors in 2011.  These new Warriors feature the Garmin G500 Glass Cockpit instrumentation reflecting the type of cockpit instrumentation they will see in today's regional and corporate jet aircraft. The warrior features extremely docile stall characteristic and other outstanding handling qualities that make it a joy to fly for our students and instructors. You will become quite familiar with these aircraft as they are used throughout your flight training.

Specifications:

Engine	Lycoming O-320-D3G, 160 hp @ 2700 RPM
Propeller	Sensenich 74DM6-0-60, fixed pitch
Fuel Capacity	48 Gallons
Max Takeoff Weight	2440 lbs
Standard Empty Weight	1336 lbs

Piper PA28R-201

The Arrow is an agile and nimble aircraft; what it lacks in performance it makes up for its handling characteristics. The Aviation Center uses this aircraft in its Advanced Flying course including the Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor courses. The Arrow introduces the student to a complex aircraft with flaps, retractable landing gear, and constant speed propeller. In the commercial pilot course the student will also have a chance to fly this aircraft in an instrument environment giving the student experience with higher approach speeds and more complex systems.

Specifications:

Engine	Lycoming-O-360-CIC6, 200hp @ 2700 RPM
Propeller	McCauley 90DHA-16, constant-speed
Fuel Capacity	72 Gallons
Max Takeoff Weight	2750 lbs
Standard Empty Weight	1603 lbs

Cessna C-172

The Cessna C-172 is used for spin and upset recovery training for our Certified Flight Instructor students.

Specifications:

Engine	Lycoming O-320-H2AD, 160 hp @ 2700 RPM
Propeller	74"; McCauley; fixed-pitch
Fuel Capacity	40 Gallons
Max Takeoff Weight	2300 lbs
Standard Empty Weight	1379 lbs
Maximum Load Factor	+ 4.4g (+3.0g) flaps up (down); -1.76g
Wingspan	36'

Multi-Engine Aircraft

Piper PA44-180 Seminole

For our Multi-Engine program the school operates a PA44-180 Seminole, also purchased new in 2003. Transition to this aircraft from the Arrow and Warriors is almost seamless. The flight characteristics of the Seminole are very similar to the Arrow. It has state of the art avionics, including autopilot, flight director and GPS navigation capability. With this aircraft you will practice simulated engine failures, as well as single engine approaches and landings.

Specifications:

Engines	Lycoming O-360 & LO-360, 180 hp @ 2700 RPM
Propellors	Hartzell HC-C2YK, constant speed
Fuel Capacity	108 Gallons
Max Takeoff Weight	3800 lbs
Standard Empty Weight	2640 lbs

Training Devices

PCATD

Personal Computer Aviation Training Device
Our PCATDs are FAA approved for use in our Private, Instrument and Multi-Engine courses. The PCATD is a very valuable tool in teaching radio navigation, instrument procedures, and multi engine procedures. The system allows for the instructor to "back up" and review instantly any maneuver or procedure that the student may have difficulty with. It is a time and money saver for the student and allows the student to better understand before he climbs into and airplane.

Flight Training Device

FRASCA FTD 142

The Frasca 142 is a flight training device that simulates the flight deck environment of both the Piper Warrior and the Seminole. A widescreen TV in front of the windshield realistically displays a wide variety of environmental parameters; day/night, rain, thunderstorms, low ceilings, etc. The control response of the FTD is similar to that of the actual aircraft. The avionics also duplicate the avionics of the actual aircraft, including a Garmin 430 GPS navigator. The instructor can simulate a wide variety of situations ranging from rapidly changing weather to systems malfunctions. Like the PCATD, this allows the student to get up to speed on instrument procedures before getting into the actual aircraft.

Avionics Training

Garmin Simulator
The Garmin Desktop simulator is a training device that simulates the Garmin GPS Nav/Comm unit GNS430 found in the Piper Warrior, Arrow, and the Seminole. This software allows the student to get up to speed on procedures before getting into the actual aircraft.