Wichita, KS - July 25, 2005 - Cessna Aircraft Company began providing customers with its exclusive Garmin G1000 factory-authorized training program in June 2004. Since that time, over 850 customers have completed the course.
The program, which meets the FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS), spans three days. Each customer is assigned an individual workstation and a computer equipped with a sophisticated, Garmin G1000 simulator program. Using a combination of classroom time, simulator exercises, and actual flight time, customers quickly become well acquainted with the G1000's capabilities.
According to Ken Smoll, Manager of Pilot Training, "Customer response in post training surveys has been overwhelmingly positive. Most attendees find the course to be 'excellent'. A recent customer who had been through other courses stated that Cessna's G1000 Transition Course was more in-depth than other courses they had experienced."
The course is taught by a staff of 11 full-time flight instructors with a wealth of experience. These instructors were selected based not only on their aviation and teaching experience, but also excellent customer service skills.
In addition to the factory-based instructors, there are more than 90 Cessna Pilot Center flight instructors trained to conduct the Cessna G1000 transition course in the field.
Currently, Cessna is training 20-30 customers per week and continues to expand the training department capability to keep up with the increasing demand for training.
The G1000 system integrates all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather, and Engine Instrumentation and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) data on two 10.4-inch, high-definition LCDs in all new Cessna Single-Engine Piston models. These active-matrix displays feature XGA resolution (1,024 x 768-pixel count) and are capable of presenting data in brilliant, sunlight-readable color at wide viewing angles.
Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron. Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company with 44,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com or www.cessna.com.
For additional information or questions about the general aviation industry, contact the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) at 202-393-1500 or www.GAMA.aero.