Cessna introduces Corvalis TTX, new simulator flight training program

Cessna Aircraft announced an upgraded version of its Corvalis high-performance aircraft, the Corvalis TTX, at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in & Expo, which opened today in Lakeland, Fla.

The plane features an all-new interor and paint scheme options, redesigned cockpit with ergonomic features, “human factors” engineering and a touch screen-controlled glass flight deck. It’s the first touch-screen glass flight deck ever designed for a piston aircraft, the company said.

The cockpit is a Cessna design called the Intrinzic. It’s powered by the Garmin G2000 avionics suite.

“We’ve taken an airplane with incredible performance and made flying it even more natural and instinctive with Intrinzic,” Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton said in a statement. “The interface is so advanced, it’s the same as what you’ll find in the upcoming Cessna Citation Ten business jet.”

Buyers can choose from four interiors named Stealth, Tranquility, Classic and Twilight.

First deliveries are slated for 2012.

Cessna also announced that it has teamed with King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations to develop a a program that uses guided video instruction with simulators for flight students to practice various maneuvers required for private pilot training.

The program is called Guided Independent Flight Training and will be used at Cessna Pilot Centers.

The program was developed as Cessna looks at ways to lower the time and cost of flight training and to augment lessons with a flight instructor, the company said.

“Customers choose from an extensive list of maneuvers and are able to fly maneuvers as many times as they wish, allowing them to perfect their aircraft handling skills at their own pace in the low-cost environment of a simulator,” Cessna CPC manager Julie Filucci said in a statement.

This story was originally published March 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Cessna introduces Corvalis TTX, new simulator flight training program."