Cirrus Aircraft has delivered seven TRAC20 G7 aircraft to Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation at the Cirrus Vision Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. This delivery is part of a previously announced purchase agreement for 32 TRAC20 G7 aircraft, which will replace the university’s current fleet of 28 SR20s. The TRAC20 G7 is the latest model in the TRAC Series, which is specifically designed for pilot training.
The TRAC20 G7 features advanced avionics and safety systems, including the Garmin Perspective Touch+ flight deck system with dual Garmin Touch Controllers. This system provides larger, high-resolution displays and enhanced system integration, resulting in a more intuitive flight deck. The aircraft also includes the Electronic Stability and Protection system, an integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning system, and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).
Western Michigan University has been a Cirrus aviation collegiate partner for nearly 25 years, and this new fleet of TRAC20 G7s will help maintain the university’s position as a leader in training the next generation of aviation professionals. “Supporting one of the largest collegiate flight programs is exciting, especially during a time when pilots are in high demand,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus. “The TRAC Series G7 offers the students at Western Michigan University a fantastic opportunity to position themselves for a successful career in aviation by training on the most advanced flight deck available with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) for a primary trainer.”
“In 2005, WMU entered into a partnership with Cirrus that persists to this day,” said Dr. Raymond Thompson, Dean of Western Michigan University. “When the University was looking to take collegiate flight training into the 21st Century, they looked no further than Cirrus. Since the arrival of the first TRAC20, WMU has fully embraced the sophistication and benefits of the Cirrus aircraft. From a functional standpoint, the benefits students obtain from learning to fly in the Cirrus result in professional pilot candidates who are career-ready.”
Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation is the only comprehensive aviation program at a public university in Michigan and, with approximately 1,100 undergraduate students, stands as one of the largest aviation programs in the nation. With 85 years of experience in aviation education and an excellent industry reputation, WMU’s College of Aviation is a formidable entity in shaping the future of aviation training.
