Lufthansa US training center selects Cirrus SR20
Airline's Arizona flight center orders 25 aircraft
Lufthansa Aviation Training has selected Cirrus Aircraft’s technologically advanced SR20 single-engine aircraft to lead its Goodyear, Arizona, airline pilot flight training program.
A June 13 news release said Lufthansa had chosen the Duluth, Minnesota-based aircraft manufacturer for its primary training fleet “to provide advanced, easy-to-fly modern aircraft to prepare students to fly tomorrow’s commercial airliners.” Lufthansa’s desert training center ordered 25 of the Lycoming IO-390 powered, parachute-equipped, composite-constructed aircraft.
The news release explained that SR20 aircraft have dual-screen Cirrus Perspective+ by Garmin flight deck displays, a flight management system keypad controller, integrated engine indicators, an electronic stability system, and crew alerting/warning systems that are typically “found on today’s advanced airliners.”
Todd Simmons, Cirrus’s customer experience president, said the aircraft manufacturer’s line is well-matched for Lufthansa’s cockpits because its navigation and safety systems are “similar to the systems these new pilots will use in the airlines’ larger aircraft.”
Lufthansa joins other flight training programs operating Cirrus aircraft including the U.S. Air Force Academy, Western Michigan University, Southern Utah University, St. Louis University Parks College, Aerosim Flight Academy, Cassidian Aviation Training Services, Emirates Airline, the Royal Saudi Air Force, and more.
Simmons praised Lufthansa’s “forward-thinking” and complimented its pilot training program for “realizing the immediate benefits of teaching and learning in the most effective equipment available.”
