Eagle Flight Centre at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan has ordered a second Ascend 172 from Yingling Aviation for use in Eastern Michigan University’s flight training operations. The remanufactured single engine airplane is currently being configured to be an exact replica of the operation’s first Ascend 172, which Eagle Flight Centre acquired in September of 2016.
“The Ascend 172 we integrated into our flight training program two years ago has proven to be an ideal addition to our fleet,” said Joe Mills, Chief Flight Instructor and General Manager of Eagle Flight Centre. “It has provided us with a platform that allows our primary students to make a seamless transition into different airframes which feature the advanced avionics and glass panels that are compatible with the Next Gen airport and airways system. This second Ascend 172 will give us even more flexibility as we add the largest-ever incoming class of students to Eastern Michigan University’s flight training program this fall.”
“Yingling is helping us meet our increasing demand for this type of aircraft by modifying another Ascend 172 so that the panel matches our existing one. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also recently updated their definition of a ‘complex’ aircraft and revised their standard to require ‘ten hours in technically advanced aircraft’ for a commercial rating. Our two Ascend 172s will allow us to train commercial and instrument pilots as well as primary students to meet those parameters—and do so in familiar aircraft that are more affordable to operate,” Mills added.
“Since we first began flying an Ascend 172 in our flight training program, it was never a question of if we would add another one, just when. With a large number of students currently enrolled and the largest incoming class we’ve ever had, the time is right for us. We’ll be adding both airplanes to our FAR Part 141 certificate. They’re equipped with Garmin 500 series avionics so it’s an easy for our Garmin 1000 student pilots to transition from the G-1000 Skyhawks. It takes less than an hour for them to check out the Ascend 172. The systems are from the same Garmin family so the pilots adapt quickly and have a chance to fly in a familiar airframe with a different suite of advanced avionics.”
“The Ascend 172s are ideal for operations like Eagle Flight Centre,” commented Tom Trumbull, president of EFC. “They more affordable to acquire and to operate and they’re an outstanding alternative to purchasing G 1000 equipped aircraft.”
“We know that flight training operations and flying clubs are facing a true dilemma when it comes to their fleets,” added Lynn Nichols, Yingling’s CEO. “They see the looming requirements to meet the FAA’s mandates for ADS-B and equipment that complies with the Next Generation Air Traffic Control System—and they recognize the high costs to do so. Replacing older aircraft with new models is virtually cost-prohibitive, but updating existing airplanes to a ‘near-new’ configuration is certainly a reasonable alternative. What we’re doing with Eagle Flight Centre and EMU is obvious, relatively quick, and certainly affordable.”
Trumbull anticipates EMU’s Flight Training program will receive the identically configured Ascend 172 in time to begin the fall semester.
