TAL Academy Had Great Success With C172's

Turkish Airlines pilots will be soon be training in Citation Mustangs. Cessna announced Monday at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) that Turkish Airlines Flight Training Academy has ordered two Citation Mustang business jets. The new aircraft, which are to be delivered this month, will be based at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and used for flight training purposes. The Academy selected the Mustang following its successful experience of operating Cessna 172s as training aircraft.

“Turkish Airlines’ successful growth reflects our commitment to world-class standards in all activities, including flight training. The Citation Mustangs will bring a new dimension to the work of our Training Academy, giving our pilots invaluable jet experience and the best possible learning environment,” said Menderes Cakici, Turkish Airlines’ director of Flight Training.

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“We are delighted with this order from Turkish Airlines Flight Training Academy, which follows similar Mustang orders from other airlines. This confirms the Mustang’s great flexibility and docile handling characteristics, which make it as suitable for pilot training as for charter operations,” said Trevor Esling, Cessna vice president, International Sales.

The Citation Mustang is the world’s first fully-certified entry-level business jet. With a price tag of just over $3 million (2010 delivery), the Mustang features Garmin avionics, Pratt & Whitney Canada engines and boasts a maximum 1,200-nautical mile range.

FMI: www.cessna.com