Kansas State University's Polytechnic Campus Expands Learning Fleet with Four New Beechcraft Bonanza Aircraft

SALINA — The aviation program at Kansas State University's Polytechnic Campus is enhancing its students' flying experience with the addition of new aircraft to its fleet.

Kansas State Polytechnic has purchased a quartet of Beechcraft Bonanza G36 aircraft from longtime university partner Textron Aviation as part of its plan to continuously provide professional pilot majors with the most relevant and cutting-edge flight training possible. The new planes arrived intermittently throughout 2015 and 2016, with the final delivery in mid-October. Kansas State Polytechnic's aviation program is now outfitted with 34 learning aircraft, all of which are Textron Aviation products.

"For more than 50 years, this campus has been offering innovative aviation education and it is important that we continue that rich tradition with an investment in our students' future," said Verna Fitzsimmons, dean and CEO of Kansas State Polytechnic. "We are proud to add the Bonanza G36 to our fleet family because its state-of-the-art technology and amenities are exactly what students will experience professionally, preparing them for a successful transition from college to career."

"Kansas State Polytechnic continues to be a strong partner for Textron Aviation and we are thrilled they have selected Textron Aviation products to modernize their flight training fleet," said Doug May, vice president, Piston Aircraft. "The Beechcraft Bonanza will provide the students a modern and sophisticated training platform to advance their skills. We are excited to continue building our relationship with the university to support the next generation of aviators."

The Bonanza G36 aircraft, which are being used primarily in the aviation program for commercial and certified flight instructor, or CFI, ratings, feature a Garmin G1000 avionics system that aids situational awareness, simplicity and safety in the cockpit. They also are equipped with the satellite-based surveillance system ADS-B, which broadcasts an airplane's location to air traffic control as well as other nearby airplanes that are outfitted with the technology. An FAA requirement of all aircraft by Jan. 1, 2020, ADS-B gives the professional pilot students increased awareness by alerting them to approaching aircraft and is another component they will use in industry.

Zach Davis, Hutchinson, who graduated from Kansas State Polytechnic with a bachelor's degree in professional pilot in May, is now a CFI for the aviation program and believes the students he is teaching are getting a well-rounded experience when flying the G36.

"An early variant of the Beechcraft Bonanza was first produced in the late 1940s, so students are getting to fly a solid aircraft with a well-established track record," said Davis. "Beyond its prestige, the brand-new planes give students increased reliability and current technology found in the commercial and corporate world. And because the G36 is a high performance aircraft, it trains students to think ahead and make smart decisions more quickly."

"I think the Bonanza G36 offers our students a more diverse and advanced aircraft that many other schools are not able to provide for training," said Austin Bally, Wichita, a senior in professional pilot, captain of the campus's flight team and a CFI. "Having G36s in our fleet introduce students to a more complicated aircraft early in their training, giving them the confidence and experience needed to fly complex aircraft in their careers." 

Along with the boost in its fleet, Kansas State Polytechnic's aviation program will be upgrading a portion of its flight center. Textron Aviation recently donated $150,000 to modernize the Certified Flight Instructor Lab. The renovation will increase the area's square footage, creating more workspace for flight instructors and a better learning environment for students enrolled in the program.

Kansas State Polytechnic also was recently approved as a Cessna Pilot Center, one of only five in the state of Kansas. Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc.

To learn more about Kansas State Polytechnic's aviation program, including its professional pilot, airport management, aviation maintenance management, and unmanned aircraft systems bachelor's degrees, contact admissions at 785-826-2640 or [email protected]. For more information on Textron Aviation products, visit txtav.com.