Aircraft manufacturer Tecnam announced that United States based flight training organisation Kilo Charlie Aviation has placed orders for a total of 30 Tecnam aircraft over the next two years. Kilo Charlie Aviation is located near Kansas City at New Century Air Center, formerly known as Naval Air Station Olathe, a joint civil-military general aviation airport. The school has 96 students and was founded in 2020 by Robert Renfro and Drew Konicek, experienced pilots.

The Tecnam solution selected by Kilo Charlie Aviation is based on the full IFR P-Mentor and the twin-engine P2006T.

Students start their training in a P-Mentor with a modern Garmin G3x glass cockpit. In addition to an already very stable platform, the aircraft will be equipped with the optional BRS ballistic parachute. After completing their instrument rating (IFR) in the P-Mentor, students can transition into the P2006T twin engine to train for their MEP (Multi Engine Propeller).

The first of 15 deliveries will be 3 P2006T and 15 P-Mentor aircraft.

• P2006T x1 already delivered;
• P2006T x1 delivered scheduled in Q3/2023
• P2006T x1 delivered scheduled in Q1/2024
• P-Mentor x12 delivered scheduled 4 in Q4/2023, 4 in Q1/2024 and 4 in Q2/2024.

Phase II of 30 aircraft will follow after the last of these first 15 have been delivered.

About the P-Mentor

The P-Mentor is a two-seat, single engine, piston, fully IFR aircraft, compliant with the latest CS-23 EASA & FAA requirements, allowing PBN/RNAV/AFCS capabilities. It gives modern flight schools a single platform to train students from their first flight, up to their commercial pilot license, and instrument rating. It has a variable pitch propeller, and a simulated retractable landing gear option.

The P-Mentor is designed to offer the best human-machine interface, resulting in the most effective VFR/IFR training. The generous fuel tank allows flight schools to fly all day long, without refueling, which improves operational value. With its outstanding operational cost, this aircraft offers a unique profit opportunity for flight schools.

About the P-2006T

The Tecnam P2006T MkII is a twin-engine four-seat aircraft with fully retractable landing gear.  Its simplicity, great performance, efficiency and ergonomics are what make this aircraft ideal for multi-engine training, as well as cross-country flying.  The P2006T offers unbeatable value and innovative design with a modern Garmin avionics suite, integrating all primary flight, navigation, communication and terrain data on two high-definition LCDs.

“We are very pleased that so many American flight schools are choosing TECNAM to replace or upgrade their fleet. Today’s students are very demanding and deserve a brand new aircraft with the latest technology. We thank and welcome Kilo Charlie for their choice,” said Walter Da Costa, Tecnam Chief Sales Officer.

“We have been in a two-year process trying to find the right aircraft partner for our career flight training school. Once Tecnam presented the P-mentor we knew that all the work over the last two years had to be re-evaluated and compared to this aircraft. Safety and Technology are our two highest priorities here and after comparing everything it was without a doubt the best option for our school and students,” said Robert Renfro, Kilo Charlie Aviation Chief Operating Officer.

“When we met with Tecnam for the first time we were unfamiliar with their organization or aircraft. Immediately we knew that we had found a true partner. The award-winning aircraft combined with the expertise of an international leader in aviation made it an easy choice to move Kilo Charlie Aviation’s fleet to Tecnam,” said Drew Konicek, Kilo Charlie Aviation Chief Business Officer.

“With a shared ambition for developing great pilots, we are thrilled to partner with Kilo Charlie Aviation in this venture! It is because of flight schools like theirs that this industry has such a promising future.

Kilo Charlie’s training program offers students a competitive advantage for hiring opportunities once they graduate and I can’t think of a better place for our latest Tecnam training fleet!,” said Derek Riddle, Director of Aircraft Fleet Sales for Volare Air.

About Kilo Charlie Aviation

Robert Renfro and Drew Konicek, experienced commercial and corporate pilots, founded Kilo Charlie Aviation in 2020. Their goal: to build the best flight school in the world.

Today, Kilo Charlie Aviation, centrally located in New Century, KS, the heart of the Midwest, is recognized as the premier school for all levels of flight training. Students from all over the United States come to Kilo Charlie Aviation to earn their private pilot certificate, obtain their instrument rating, become certified flight instructors, and learn about flight at all levels.

About TECNAM; “Quality Aircraft since 1948”

Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and one of the world’s leading piston aircraft manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, the company is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates two subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, to serve and support the needs of local Tecnam owners and operators. Tecnam designs and manufactures a wide range of aircraft for personal use, commercial operations, business travel, flight training, surveillance, law enforcement and other specialised applications.

Source: Tecnam Press Release
Photo Credit: Tecnam (shown as meta image)