Patria invests in new basic flight training aircraft

Patria's Pilot Training has ordered nine Italian made Tecnam P2002JF De Luxe aircraft for basic flight training purposes. The first aircraft will be taken into use in February 2011 while the rest of the fleet will arrive in Helsinki in May. Tecnam P2002JF´s will replace Patria´s current fleet of seven FFA AS-202 Bravo aircraft. Patria has also reserved an option to order three more Tecnam´s during 2011.

Patria chose Tecnam P2002JF De Luxe aircraft as they fulfil Patria´s requirements in respect of modern cockpit technology, flight characteristics and cost-efficiency. The new fleet also meets the environmental requirements in fuel efficiency and noise level. Patria fleet will be equipped with Garmin 500 avionics, which makes Patria the only Flight Training Organisation in Finland to provide training in class cockpit environment from the first flight.

With this order Patria strengthens its role in the field of domestic and international civil pilot training. Patria also continues to set new training standards in Finland when it comes to applying technological solutions in the harsh Northern training environment.

”Our investment in new training aircraft is already the second within a year and strengthens further Patria’s position as the leading pilot training organisation in Finland”, states Mr Lassi Matikainen, President of Patria’s Aviation Business Unit. ”We are confident that the modern Tecnam P2002JF fleet significantly improves our ability to successfully operate in the ever tougher competition in Finland and abroad.”

”We are very proud to be able to partner Patria Pilot Training in their aspiration to offer the most modern, affordable and widely available flight training offering in Europe’’ said Mr Paolo Pascale, Tecnam’s Managing Director. The P2002JF has proven to be the single engine aeroplane of choice by so many Flight Training Organisations and we anticipate delivering over 200 this year alone!

Further information:

Mr Lassi Matikainen, President, Aviation, tel. +358 40 869 3351

Mr Mikko Paronen, Accountable Manager, Pilot Training, tel. +358 869 3113

Patria is a defence, security and aerospace group with international operations delivering its customers competitive solutions based on own specialist know-how and partnerships. Patria is owned by the State of Finland and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V.

www.patria.fi or www.tecnam.com