Purdue Aviation, TECNAM combine resources to bring sales, flight training to Purdue Research Park Aerospace District

Purdue Aviation, Purdue Research Foundation and TECNAM will use a P2006T for flight training and rental as well as provide increased flight school integration and maintenance services. The P2006T is a twin-engine certified technologically advanced aircraft with fully retractable landing gear and engines that can run economically on a total of 10 gallons an hour of unleaded fuel as well as 100LL. (Photo provided by Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM) Download Photo

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., and CAPUA, Italy – Purdue Aviation LLC, Purdue Research Foundation and Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM announce a partnership that will support a U.S.-based sales, maintenance and training center in the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District in West Lafayette, Indiana.

"There is a tremendous challenge of pilot scarcity in U.S. aviation. One of our most important endeavors is to train and certify future pilots in an industry that is ever-changing and growing with new technologies and systems," said Scott Niswonger, a Purdue distinguished alumnus, principal owner of Landair Corp., chairman emeritus of Forward Air and chairman of the Purdue Aviation LLC Board of Directors. "Together Purdue University, Purdue Aviation, Purdue Research Foundation and TECNAM have laid a strong foundation to provide future and current pilots with the necessary equipment and technology to help them achieve their goals and further advance air travel around the globe."  

The state of the art TECNAM P2010 is now the most advanced and modern single engine trainer aircraft in the marketplace. This is a single-engine  four-seat aircraft with composite fuselage, powered by a Lycoming IO-360-M1A and Garmin avionics.

The agreement includes a sales center focused on TECNAM's certified aircraft fleet including the TECNAM P2006T, flight school integration, flight training and maintenance services. The TECNAM P2006T is a twin-engine certified technologically advanced aircraft with fully retractable landing gear and engines that can run very economically on a total of 10 gallons an hour of unleaded fuel as well as 100LL.

"We are delighted to begin this partnership with TECNAM," said Dan Hasler, president of the Purdue Research Foundation. "We believe the TECNAM product line to be a game changer in the aviation industry, and we anticipate that this agreement will lead to other opportunities for future collaborations between TECNAM and the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District.”

The 980-acre Purdue Research Park Aerospace District was established in 2015 near the Purdue University Airport. The park's first partner is Rolls-Royce, which will house a research and development group in a 55,000-square-foot facility that is slated to open in the fall.

"Purdue has a rich history in aviation and strong capabilities in aeronautics, engineering, flight training and technology. Coupled with exceptional airport facilities, Purdue is a great place for us to supply and service the U.S. market," said Paolo Pascale, CEO of TECNAM. "We are impressed with Purdue's aerospace district and the future possibilities in research, development and manufacturing."

TECNAM began developing innovative aircraft in 1948 and gained worldwide recognition for its original aircraft models that operated under the name Partenavia. Established in March 1986, Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM now operates in three Italy-based production facilities.

"TECNAM, like Purdue, has a long history in aviation," said Jeff Pittard, president of Purdue Aviation. "The addition of TECNAM's P2006T twin engine retractable gear plane is one we are proud to represent, service, lease and use for flight training."

Purdue Aviation LLC and Purdue's School of Aviation and Transportation Technology have also partnered to provide students with educational opportunities focused on aviation.

"Through this partnership, we have created a real-life working classroom, laboratory, research platform, internship and employment opportunity for students," said John Wensveen, head of the Purdue School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. "The Tecnam P2006T provides an opportunity for students enrolled in the Purdue University Professional Flight program to take advantage of an economical multiengine aircraft for hour building purposes."

For more information about Purdue Aviation call 765-743-9692 or click Purdue Aviation. To learn more about partnership and research collaboration opportunities at the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District, contact pemoses@prf.org or call 765-588-3462.

About Purdue Aviation

Purdue Aviation LLC, located at the Purdue University Airport, KLAF, in West Lafayette, Indiana offers premium flight support including hangar space, catering, ground transportation and is a certified aircraft maintenance center. As one of the premier flight training providers and affiliated with Purdue University, Purdue Aviation provides pilot license training, fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, aircraft rental and aircraft sales.

About TECNAM

TECNAM traces its roots back to the activities of Italian brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, who developed and produced innovative aircraft soon after the end of World War II (1948) and have continued to create original models that gained worldwide recognition under the name Partenavia. Established in March 1986, Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM now operates in three production facilities. The Casoria facility is located adjacent to Naples Capodichino Airport. The Capua facility is located adjacent to the “Oreste Salomone” Airport. 

About Purdue Research Park Aviation District

Purdue Research Park Aerospace District (download a brochure) is situated on the southwest corner of the internationally recognized Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The 980-acre aerospace district, under development by the Purdue Research Foundation, is a flagship for public and private aerospace research and development to advance aviation and aeronautics innovations. Plans for the aerospace district, which encompasses the Purdue University Airport, Purdue Aviation (formerly called Lafayette Aviation) and the Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories, include opportunities for aerospace companies that wish to collaborate with Purdue to build research and development facilities. The site has already been named an Indiana Certified Technology Park by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

 About Purdue Research Foundation

The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park and Purdue Technology Centers. The foundation received the 2014 Incubator Network of the Year by the National Business Incubation Association for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org

Purdue Research Foundation contact: Cynthia Sequin, 765-588-3340, casequin@prf.org

TECNAM contact: Shannon Yeager, 863-655-2280, sales.usa@tecnam.com

Sources: Dan Hasler, 765-588-3826, djhasler@prf.org

Scott Niswonger, sniswonger@landair.com

Paolo Pascale, c/o Shannon Yeager, 863-655-2280, sales.usa@tecnam.com

Jeff Pittard, 765-743-9692, JPittard@purdueaviationllc.com

John Wensveen, jwensvee@purdue.edu