SALINA — Kansas State University Salina aviation students will have a new piece of technology to train on thanks to a generous donation from a Wichita, Kan. aviation company.
K-State president Kirk Schulz along with K-State Salina CEO and dean Verna Fitzsimmons and Kurt Barnhart, K-State Salina aviation department head and executive director of the Applied Aviation Research Center, joined representatives from Yingling Aviation on Wednesday, April 30 for a purple ribbon cutting on a donated Frasca Mentor flight simulator. Several aviation students and faculty, local media and K-State Salina staff watched as the flight simulator was officially declared into the university’s aviation program.
“One of the things that Dean Fitzsimmons has talked about is that we need to make sure K-State Salina has current technology and modern equipment and that we’re updating our laboratories and facilities,” President Schulz said. “I really appreciate the donation, and we want to continue to partner with companies like Yingling Aviation to produce what I think are the best graduates in the country.”
The Frasca Mentor is equipped to simulate a Cessna 172/S with Garmin G1000 avionics and a GFC700 autopilot. Dean Fitzsimmons says this kind of technology is a welcomed addition to the K-State Salina aviation program.
UPDATE: Garmin G1000 NXi upgrades now available.
“I know the students are anxious to start putting some time in on the simulator and getting accommodated with the instrumentation,” Dean Fitzsimmons said. “We are so grateful for this donation – it will provide comprehensive training that will allow students to experience piloting scenarios that are usually unavailable in this class of airplane.”
Yingling Aviation has been using the simulator for the past six years until they discontinued their flight instruction program. President Lonnie Vaughan says donating the equipment to K-State Salina was an undeniable choice.
“We decided to find it a home where it can be put to valuable use and K-State Salina obviously fits that bill,” said Vaughan. “It’s our hope that this simulator be an efficient, cost-effective and well-utilized addition to their flight training fleet.”
K-State Salina is awaiting FAA approval to incorporate the new simulator formally into the pilot training curriculum. The university has three other simulators that students use in the professional pilot program.
Under its revised regulation14 CFR Part 61, the FAA has approved FTDs as substitutes for actual flight time in fixed wing aircraft when specific conditions are met. They can be utilized for 2.5 of the 40 hours of flight time required as a minimum for obtaining a private pilot’s license and up to 20 of the 40 hours of instrument time required to earn an Instrument Rating. Kansas State-Salina will also be able to offer portions of the Instrument Check Ride—one precision and one non-precision approach and other maneuvers specified in the Primary Training Syllabus (PTS)–as well as all maneuvers required for Instrument Currency. FTDs are also approved for all or part of Instrument Proficiency Checks.
About Yingling
Yingling Aviation has been affiliated with Cessna Aircraft Company longer than any other fixed base operation, having been named the first Cessna dealer more than 60 years ago. Its 80+ employees are dedicated to serving customers. Yingling offers award-winning service operations, a spacious pilot’s lounge, and an outstanding selection of equipment, specialty items, and gifts at its Aviator’s Attic, Wichita’s foremost Fixed Base Operation also provides exceptional hospitality and service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Yingling is the largest Cessna parts supplier in the world, offering fast worldwide delivery and competitive pricing, with A.O.G. orders received before 11:30 AM shipped the same day. Yingling Aviation can be reached by calling (316) 943-3246 or on the web at yinglingaviation.com.
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A high resolution photo of the ribbon cutting ceremony at K-State Salina is available at http://fransonconsulting.com/gallery/view/7
Photo cutline: Representatives from Yingling Aviation and Kansas State University cut the ribbon on a flight simulator donated to K-State Salina by Yingling Aviation. Featured in the photo, from left to right: Jerry Pickett, Yingling Aviation vice president of customer programs, K-State Salina CEO and dean Verna Fitzsimmons, Lonnie Vaughan, Yingling Aviation president, K-State president Kirk Schulz, Andrew Nichols, Yingling Aviation vice president of finance and Kurt Barnhart, head of the department of aviation and executive director of the Applied Aviation Research Center at K-State Salina