A deal to buy 25 Cirrus TRAC SR20 training aircraft by the new United Aviate Academy shows the pilot training sector is coming back after the pandemic and that purchase price is not the only factor when choosing an aircraft.
The SR20 is not the cheapest new training aircraft out there but it’s stuffed with advanced technology, has a 200hp engine giving good performance and it’s comfortable too.
United Aviate Academy (UAA) is currently the only ab-initio flight academy operated by a major US-based airline. It has the option and purchase rights to 50 more TRAC SR20 aircraft as the Aviate Academy expands.
Curtis Brunjes, United’s managing director for Aviate and Pilot Strategy, said, “United is thrilled to have chosen the Cirrus TRAC SR20 as the single-engine training aircraft for our United Aviate Academy.
“It reflects our commitment to preparing our future Captains using cutting-edge technology and safety systems.”
Over the next decade, United aims to hire more than 10,000 pilots and introduce aviation to about 5,000 new pilots through the academy.
So let’s take a look at the Cirrus TRAC SR series which includes the TRAC 20, TRAC22 and TRAC22T.
Cirrus says it’s designed to be the ultimate training platform with an impressive lists of standard feature:
- Integrated Garmin Perspective+ flight deck with two large flight displays
- Flight Management System (FMS) keypad controller
- Electronic Stability and Protection system
- Integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning systems
David Moser, Vice President of Fleet and Special Mission Sales for Cirrus Aircraft, said, “The TRAC SR20 is the preferred aircraft for ab-initio airline pilot training, with its advanced flight management system and hazard avoidance features, the aircraft offers a training platform with capabilities that prepare students for the transport category jets that United Aviate students will fly during their airline careers.”
The luxury materials used in the cabin of the standard SRs has been replaced with a durable all-weather floor liner and easy to clean wear-resistant seats.
The SRs have big cabins too, so no more rubbing shoulders with an instructor. There rear seats for additional students or observers and optional air conditioning for comfort in all seasons.
Features that are carried through from the standard SRs include all-composite airframe structure with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), which is a whole aircraft parachute system for use should the aircraft have an unmanageable technical fault or some other issue.
It’s not just the aircraft. The TRAC Series is supported by a wide array of interactive, tailored flight training content through Cirrus Approach‚ including online courses, engaging videos and the award-winning iFOM (interactive Flight Operations Manual) for convenient learning anywhere in the world.
Cirrus Aircraft is also developing a digital fleet management solution leveraging the onboard Cirrus IQ system to provide UAA with deeper insight into their flight data for safety and operational efficiency.
