Announces The Addition Of Three Flight Training Schools to Cessna Pilot Center Network

Cessna said Tuesday is has awarded its 2010 Platinum Awards to Airborne Systems, Inc. and Pinnacle Aviation Academy for exceptional performance in the Cessna Pilot Center network.

The awards were presented by Cessna Pilot Center Manager Julie Filucci to Vincent Bilisi, vice president and director of Airborne Systems, at the Cessna Pilot Center Seminar in February in Orlando, FL, and to George McJimsey, president and owner of Pinnacle Aviation Academy, at Pinnacle’s offices in Carlsbad, CA.

“Airborne Systems and Pinnacle Aviation Academy are two of the most outstanding CPCs in the country,” Filucci said. “The Platinum Award is Cessna's acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication they put forth in everything they do. In particular, both Airborne Systems and Pinnacle surmounted significant challenges in 2010 to earn the respect of their peers.”

Located at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Airborne Systems operates eight Skyhawks, a Skylane, and has a Skycatcher on order. Pinnacle Aviation Academy is located at Palomar Airport, in Carlsbad, Calif., and operates six Skyhawks, a Skylane, and has a Skycatcher on order. In presenting the Platinum Award, Cessna considers a number of factors in evaluating CPC performance including facilities, training, equipment and general operations.

The company's extensive network of more than 250 CPCs around the world was established in 1973. The average time for customers to obtain a private pilot certificate while using Cessna's computer-based instruction training course is only 55 hours. That is approximately 30 percent fewer hours than the national average, resulting in less expense for the customer and a more efficient learning process.

Meanwhile, three new flight training schools have been added to the family, two of them in Canada.

The newest members of the CPC network are:

• Integrated Innovation, Inc., dba Stinson Flight Training Center, San Antonio, Texas
• Springbank Air Training College, Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Exploits Valley Air Services, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada

CPCs are flight training affiliates that use the new Cessna Flight Training System and Cessna aircraft and offer customers an array of services including flight training.

“We continue to look for the best quality additions to our CPC network as part of the company’s effort to make flying more accessible and to re-energize pilot training,” said Julie Filucci, Cessna CPC manager.

FMI: www.Cessna.com