BAA Training, part of the Avia Solutions Group family, is to acquire 48 Cessna 172 Skyhawks from Textron Aviation; described by the training provider as ‘an important step in developing the biggest pilot training base in Europe’ as it plans to launch a second centre.
As the company aims to accommodate up to 1,000 students a year, the additional aircraft – described by Chris Crow, vice president of Piston Sales as “the world’s leading flight trainer’ - will significantly elevate the student-to-aircraft ratio, as well as providing modernised platforms on which to train cadets. “We are delighted to continue the relationship with BAA training to provide their students access to the most-produced single-engine aircraft globally,” concluded Crow.
BAA Training will operate the newly purchased aircraft in Spain, where an additional flight base (to be launched in the second half of 2024) will augment its existing facility at Lleida-Alguaire International Airport. Other European bases are also planned for 2025 and 2026.