Moorabbin flight training organisation Avia Aviation today accepted the keys of the first Tecnam P-Mentor to be delivered into Australia.
The P Mentor is a low-wing single-engined aircraft certified to FAR 23 for IFR training. It was first introduced to the Tecnam range in April last year.
Avia CEO Charles Gunter took delivery of P-Mentor VH-TMG from Tecnam Chief Sales Officer Walter Da Costa on the Tecnam stand at Avalon.
“During a visit to the Tecnam factory last year, the P-Mentor really caught my eye, as the perfect trainer for tomorrow’s pilots," Gunter said. "It has a stunning look, sports car like interior, and the best Garmin avionics package a student could ever ask for.
"Operating a Tecnam fleet can save up to 10 tons of CO2 for every graduated commercial pilot, something that is increasingly important for us all. This is the first of many Tecnam aircraft we will be offering our students.”
Da Costa said the P-Mentor was a versatile training aircraft that offered a more economical option for flying schools.
“The P-Mentor is the only IFR, FAR/EASA certified, two-seat training aircraft. It is technologically advanced, safe, and easy to fly, with a whole of aircraft ballistic parachute option.
"It allows flight schools to take a student from ab initio, right through to a commercial license, and command instrument rating, at a fraction of the acquisition and operating cost of competitor aircraft.
"The P-Mentor has attracted a lot of attention at the airshow, and we expect to announce more Australian sales soon.”
The P-Mentor is compliant with the latest FAR/CS-23 EASA and FAA standards, enabling PBN/RNAV/AFCS capabilities. It is powered by a Rotax 912 iS with a variable pitch propeller. It also has a simulated landing gear retraction option for more advanced training.
Michael Loccisano of distributor Hallmarc Aviation said he believed this delivery was just the first of many for the P-Mentor.
“We are delighted that a leading flight school, as prestigious and astute as Avia, has chosen a Tecnam fleet," he said. "We expect to see more flight schools embrace the P-Mentor, as an attractive, economic, green fleet.”