Kansas State University's Salina Aerospace and Technology campus took delivery of the first of five Cirrus SR20 piston singles for the school’s flight training program. The delivery late last month is part of a larger order that will see the school add a total of 17 new aircraft between now and the first half of 2022.

"This is a major step toward our vision to meet industry demands by providing students experience from a primary trainer all the way to a business-class airplane," said K-State Salina CEO and dean Alysia Starkey. Cirrus Aircraft expects to deliver the remaining four SR20s in the second quarter of 2022.

Additionally, K-State Salina purchased 10 new Cessna Skyhawk 172s from Textron Aviation, deliveries of which are expected in the first quarter of 2022. The school also added two more Beechcraft Baron G58 piston twins to its fleet.

Clinton Strong, head of K-State Salina's aviation department, said the diversified fleet allows students to begin their training in the 172, move into the SR20, and complete their multi-engine rating in the Baron. “I don’t know of any other flight school that uses this unique combination for training,” he added.