The Institute of Aerospace Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, has expanded its fleet with a new Piper aircraft. The university acquired it in response to the increasing interest in the Professional Pilot program. Graduates of this program have the opportunity to work as pilots for airlines in the Czech Republic and across Europe. The aircraft will support practical training, which is a key component of the curriculum.
Expansion of the Training Fleet
To become a professional pilot, students must obtain a private pilot license by the beginning of their second year. They arrange their flight training independently and can choose from various private flight schools. The university’s own flight school offers training to ensure high quality, reliability, and timely completion of the required 60-hour program.
This year, nine out of twenty first-year students chose to train through the university’s flight school, marking a significant increase compared to previous years when only five to seven students pursued this path. Over the past three years, the number of students enrolling in the program has doubled, despite the high costs associated with flight training. The private pilot license alone can exceed 250,000 CZK, depending on the chosen flight school. Many students see this expense as a long-term investment, expecting a quick return through high salaries in commercial aviation.
Acquiring a New Aircraft
With the increasing number of students, the demand for training aircraft has also grown. Previously, pilot training was conducted using two Cessna 172 aircraft. However, availability was sometimes limited due to regular maintenance, weather conditions, and additional training needs such as night and instrument flights. To ensure smoother operations and accommodate more students, the university decided to expand its fleet.
The last aircraft purchase was made in 2012, making this acquisition a rare event. The university chose a 2001 Piper PA28-181, a four-seat, low-wing aircraft with a 180-horsepower engine. This aircraft allows instrument flights, enabling pilots to navigate in clouds using onboard systems. It is now in operation, and students are gradually transitioning to it as part of their training.
Like other university aircraft, the Piper will be based at Křižanov Airport. This location was chosen over Medlánky Airport due to its unrestricted airspace, which is particularly beneficial for beginner pilots. When controlled airspace is required, Brno Airport is only a twelve-minute flight away.
To further enhance students’ training experience, the university has introduced observer flights in cooperation with the airline Smartwings. This opportunity allows Professional Pilot students to gain firsthand experience aboard a Boeing 737, providing them with valuable insights into commercial aviation.
Original (CZ): Zájem o studium na pilota roste, VUT pořídilo nové výcvikové letadlo ▪ FSI VUT v Brně