Aircraft & Advanced Aviation Training Devices

The Piper PA-28-161 Warrior III is our school's flight training workhorse.  There is no finer trainer built today.  The warrior features extremely docile stall characteristics and other outstanding handling qualities that make it a joy to fly for our students and instructors. The student will become quite familiar with these aircraft as they are used throughout their flight training.

• 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

The Archer 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 Archer introduces the student to a complex aircraft. 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. The Archer is a perfect combination of durability, reliability, comfort and technology-the Archer TX is the ideal training platform.  Students and instructors will love the one-of a-kind 180 HP Archer with the Garmin G1000NXi cockpit.

• Engine: Lycoming-IO-360-B4A, Flat-Rated Horsepower at 180 hp
• Propeller: Sensenich 2 Blade Fixed Pitch
• Fuel Capacity: Usable 48 US gal/182 L
• Max Takeoff Weight: 2550lb
• Standard Empty Weight: 1658 lbs

For our Multi-Engine program, the school operates a PA44-180 Seminole. 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.

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

The Redbird MCX simulates the flight deck environment of both the Piper Warrior, Archer and the Seminole. The dual controls of the MCX allow an instructor, instructor-in-training or co-pilot to perform maneuvers from the right seat. During initial pilot training , and instructor can demonstrate maneuvers from the right seat before student tries their hand, just like you would do in the real airplane. The control response 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 system malfunctions allowing the student to get up to speed on instrument procedures before getting into the actual aircraft.

The Aviation Center currently has three Redbird Simulators. These two-pilot cockpit AATD's simulate the flight deck environment of the Piper Warrior and Piper Archer. A widescreen TV in front of the windshield realistically displays a wide variety of environmental parameters; day/night, rain, thunderstorms, low ceilings, etc. The Aviation Center uses this AATD throughout multiple phases of training including the Private, Instrument, Single-Engine Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor courses. The Redbird can aid in introducing the student to a complex aircraft with flaps, retractable landing gear, and constant speed propeller.