By Prosper Makene
Two new Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft manufactured by US-based Textron Aviation, Kansas for Tanzania’s National Institute of Transport (NIT) have arrived in Tanzania to be used by aviation students at the Institute’s School of Aviation and Technology.
“The procured aircraft that will be used mainly by the aviation students have arrived in Tanzania. This investment reflects our commitment to excellence and the overall growth of our aviation industry through quality training,” said Prof. Zacharia Mganilwa, the NIT Rector said: “It also ensures that we have world-class training resources for our aviation students.” He added: “The Cessna Skyhawk offers a safe, stable, and reliable training platform. “That’s important to the National Institute of Transport. It is a good sign for the Institute to start offering pilot courses.”
The NIT’s new Skyhawk is the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built and has achieved a reputation for being the ultimate flight training aircraft for student pilots. The plane offers simplistic flight characteristics, a slow landing speed, a lenient stall, great visibility, and a sophisticated glass cockpit outfitted with Garmin G1000 avionics.
Prof. Zacharia Mganilwa, the Rector, NIT after receiving the Aircrafts in Tanzania.
“The Institute is thankful for the continued support from the six-phase government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan for this investment in our School of Aviation and Technology,” the Rector said.
He noted: “After the planes are handed to our Institute by the Government, we will therefore conclude the final processes to be accredited by Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) on pilot courses.” “NIT is ready to start offering pilot programmes that will help satisfy the industry with competent manpower. The good news is that we will start offering the courses too soon after being accredited by TCAA,” he pointed out.
However, the new planes will ensure NIT aviation students are trained with the latest technological innovations within the realm of general aviation avionics systems. In addition, the new Cessna 172 aircraft are equipped with a factory-fitted Safe Flight Angle-of-Attack (AoA) indicator and a new Garmin GI275 solid-state standby attitude indicator. Both of these advancements provide heightened awareness and overall increased safety of the flight training program.