USU flight program to fly in style
The Utah State University aviation technology program is receiving 10 DA40 Diamond Star single-engine aircraft that will land on the Logan-Cache Airport runway Wednesday, July 19, at noon. They were originally scheduled to land Thursday, July 20, at noon.
Diamond’s DA40 is a low-wing, four-seat airplane built using the latest composite and carbon-fiber technology. The computerized glass cockpit displays and records flight and engine data for the pilot.
“Our students will log flight training hours in one of the most modern airplanes available,” said Rick Charles, director of USU’s aviation program. “The new airplanes strengthen our program because our students will not only fly in the plane, they will be able to research and study the recorded flight and engine data, thus enhancing their education.”
Three hundred students are currently enrolled in USU’s aviation technology program, which offers a choice of emphasis in professional piloting or aircraft maintenance management. Charles said the new airplanes are already allowing the flight program to grow. Forty new professional pilot students will enter the program this fall.
Students graduating USU’s aviation technology program are employed by corporate airline and aviation companies, the government, military and in the private sector.
The DA40s replace several older Cessna models owned by USU’s aviation technology program. The program is entirely self-funded, and USU was able to purchase the new airplanes through a lease program with financing from a commercial bank.
The program is also purchasing two multi-engine Diamond DA42 Twin Stars that will arrive in August. They will replace two older multi-engine aircraft that were manufactured in 1958.
Diamond Aircraft Industries is the largest general aviation manufacturer of single-engine aircraft in Canada and the third largest in North America. The airplanes purchased by USU were built at Diamond’s London, Ontario, Canada, factory.
For more information on USU’s aviation technology program in the College of Engineering, visit http://www.engineering.usu.edu/ete/.