Tue, Mar 10, 2009
Massey University Orders 14 Aircraft
A new contract announced Monday marks an impressive "get" for
Diamond Aircraft. The planemaker recently signed an agreement with
New Zealand's Massey University for 14 aircraft for its School of
Aviation.
The agreement is for two DA42 Twin Stars, and 12 DA40 Diamond
Star aircraft. Massey is New Zealand's only university with an
aviation school, and one of just a few worldwide to offer degrees
in aviation with professional pilot training incorporated.
Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says he is delighted with the
purchase, which reflects a major commitment by the University to
the school. "We're looking forward to great things in terms of the
programs we can provide for aviation students both here and around
the world," he said.
The aircraft will operate from the Milson Flight Systems Centre
at Palmerston North Airport. Diamond expects the first four
aircraft to be delivered by the end of May and the entire new fleet
will be in place before the end of the year.
School General Manager Ashok Poduval says Massey will now be the
first flight training organization in New Zealand with an entire
fleet of training aircraft that have Garmin G1000 cockpit display
systems.
"By the time our students are ready to join the airlines, most
aircraft, including general aviation aircraft, will have glass
cockpits with sophisticated automated navigation and flight
management systems. We are modifying our training syllabus so that
we can introduce the required competencies at an early stage,"
Poduval said. "Flying an aircraft today is not merely about 'stick
and rudder' skills -- it is about managing a
technologically-advanced machine. We are investing resources to
keep our students ahead of the rest."
The aircraft will also be fitted with Spidertracks, a device
developed with the aid of Massey University mechatronics graduate
James McCarthy, that enables real-time tracking of the aircraft
position from the flight operations center. The new aircraft will
replace the school's current fleet of Piper Warrior single engine
and Piper Seneca twin-engine aircraft.
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