Patria Pilot Training has received its first Tecnam P2002 JF training aircraft at Helsinki-Malmi airport, Finland. Patria has ordered nine similar aircraft in total, to replace its current fleet of seven AS202 Bravos. The flight school has the option of purchasing three more aircraft during 2011.
The first aircraft, registered as OH-TPA, arrived by truck from the factory with its wings detached. Remaining eight aircraft will be flown to Helsinki by Patria´s own staff from the factory in Capua, Italy.
“The new Tecnam P2002 JF will bring Patria’s basic training to an entirely new level of quality in Finland. The aircraft comes with modern avionics based on Garmin 500 avionics. It will provide trainees with a smooth transition from initial to instrumental training, which will be carried out in the Cirrus SR22, states Lassi Matikainen, President of Patria Aviation.
The combined fleet will help Patria’s flight trainees to develop the skills they need in a modern cockpit environment, important to their future professional careers with commercial airlines. With regard to operating costs and engine technology, the new Tecnam represents the latest technology and also allows Patria to enlarge its fleet, should this become necessary in the future.
”The new Tecnam is environmentally friendly, as it has a low noise level and minimum fuel consumption. We want to maintain a modern training aircraft fleet; this will help us to remain a good neighbour to people living within the noise impact zone of Helsinki-Malmi airport”, emphasises Matikainen.
The remaining eight Tecnam P2002 aircraft will be delivered in May, and the fleet will enter service for pilot training by the end of this month. Patria Pilot Training’s new Part 145 maintenance organisation will be responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of the new aircraft. Maintenance will take place in the Patria house at Helsinki-Malmi airport.
