The Silesian University of Technology has a new training plane
The Academic Aviation Training Centre of the Silesian University of Technology has acquired a new Tecnam plane. The machine, worth over PLN 3 million, will be used in the training of students of air navigation, mechanics and aviation operation of the Silesian University of Technology.
The Silesian University of Technology is gradually expanding the teaching base for training pilots and mechanics. – “Today our fleet has been enriched with another aircraft - the twin-engine Tecnam aircraft, which will be intended for advanced training of pilots. It is equipped with full avionics for flights, also in difficult conditions. Until now, we had to outsource these trainings, now we are able to do them ourselves, at the university” - said prof. dr hab. Eng. Bogusław Łazarz, Vice-Rector for General Affairs.
The Silesian University of Technology is one of the five universities in the country that specializes in air navigation, mechanics and aviation operation. – “We train pilots to the ATPL line license level, and mechanics to the B1.1 license level - turbine airplanes. Both the first and the second license are in great demand on the labour market today. Both professional airline pilots and aircraft mechanics are needed” - said dr hab. Eng. Jarosław Kozuba, prof. of Silesian University of Technology, director of the Central and Eastern European Civil Aviation Staff Training Centre at the Silesian University of Technology.
Thanks to the new machine, the training possibilities of the centre will increase. – “Until now, the University was able to carry out about 60 percent of training on its own, the acquisition of this aircraft will increase our training independence to about 80 percent” - added dr hab. Eng. Jarosław Kozuba, prof. SUT.
Until now, the Silesian University of Technology had AT3 single-engine airplanes. The new acquisition is a twin-engine aircraft. – “During aviation training, it is necessary to have a certificate for multi-engine airplanes and this machine will be used for such training. Its equipment will also allow us to perform flights according to the indications of instruments, which is a direct preparation for work in airlines” - said Katarzyna Brzeska, a graduate of air navigation at the World Cup.
The new plane flew to the aviation centre of the Silesian University of Technology from Łódź. Zuzanna Dobrowolska, an instructor, sat at the controls of the machine. – “Students will now have the opportunity to learn to pilot a twin-engine aircraft, to make "instrument-based" approaches to airports such as Łódź or Katowice. They will be able to prepare for flying in airlines or on smaller business flights” - explains Zuzanna Dobrowolska.
The base of the Academic Aviation Training Centre of the Silesian University of Technology is systematically expanded, which gives great opportunities in the training of future pilots and aircraft mechanics. – “The opportunity offered by the Silesian University of Technology is undoubtedly huge. The university is one of the few in Poland and in general in the world that offers such opportunities. The base that the University has, is prepared in accordance with the highest standards and all kinds of norms, which allows students to get to know the secrets of this profession better and better “- adds Katarzyna Brzeska, a graduate of air navigation at the SUT, who in the future wants to become a pilot in airlines on transatlantic routes.
The new training plane cost over PLN 3 million. Its purchase was fully financed by the University.
