New Sling Next Generation Trainer
So, what is the ideal training aircraft to satisfy the demands of modern-day high flight time fixed wing flight school operations?
Well that depends. Legacy 60-70s era C172 / PA28 used to be that aircraft. However, the goalposts have moved considerably with today’s demanding flight training requirements. To a point where the typical legacy aircraft of the past can no longer meet these requirements and the call for modern day equipment is now a necessity.
Firstly, the traditional analogue six pack instrumentation no longer allows for a truly seamless transition to the modern-day glass cockpits typical of commuter and airliner aircraft. In most instances the typical modern-day flight school student is looking to move into a professional pilot career where the glass cockpit is now the norm. In addition, the younger age of the student now demands a more digital cockpit experience and will choose a flight school whose fleet will accommodate this. Furthermore, retrofitting of a modern-day glass cockpit to these legacy aircraft is both prohibitive in cost and complexity and the risk of over capitalisation of the value of the aircraft looms large.
Secondly, costs to operate and maintain a fleet of these 40-50-yearold aircraft are becoming prohibitive (In the USA the current average age of General Aviation single engine piston aircraft is 46.8 years). Aircraft efficiency has also moved on with modern day power plants, moving away from Avgas to cheaper and more freely available alternatives such as Mogas and Diesel / Jet A1.
Fuel injection systems have also contributed further to a massive reduction in fuel efficiency.
Thirdly, any alternative must be able to follow in the footsteps of these legacy aircraft who have over many, many years proven as great flight training platforms withstanding hour after hour of ab-initio training abuse.