Pipistrel's Newest Aircraft Selected As The School's Primary Training Aircraft

St. Petersburg Aviation Training Center in Russia has ordered four Alpha trainers from Pipistrel. When they introduced their newest airplane in May, Pipestrel said the aircraft is designed for Light Sport Aircraft Flying Schools in markets and countries which have the FAA-LSA (or adaptation of ASTM rules) categories. The Pipistrel Alpha Trainer is fitted with the Rotax 912 - 80 horsepower engine, the airframe is a composite, two-seat, side by side, high wing. Like all Pipistrel aircraft the Alpha demonstrates very frugal fuel consumption averaging 3.4gph at cruise and only 2.1 gph in the pattern for basic exercises like touch-and-gos.

"We selected the Alpha Trainer because Pipistrel has an excellent reputation" said Arkadiy Orlov, the director of the St. Petersburg Aviation Training Center. "The Alpha Trainer has showed itself as an outstanding price-performance trainer solution". The four Alpha-trainers will be delivered this summer and Orlov said it will give the St. Petersburg Aviation Training Center a clear price advantage in cost of flight hour in training as well as a modern aircraft for the students.

"To be successful in the training market these days, the training organization demand a modern aeroplane, with glass cockpit, student friendly handling and lowest possible cost of operations," said Pipistrel CEO Ivo Boscarol. "The Alpha was designed to meet and exceed all of the above. It is rewarding to see flight schools worldwide selecting the Alpha to modernize their fleet."

(Pictured: Pipistrel distributor for Russia, Mr Vladimir Zinchenko, takes delivery of the Alpha Trainers, with Pipistrel CEO Mr Ivo Boscarol.)

FMI: www.pipistrel.eu