Loper Flight Academy Cleared for Takeoff: University of Nebraska at Kearney Launches Flight Academy with a Fleet of Seven Tecnam P-Mentors
OSHKOSH, WI – July 23rd, 2026 – The Nebraska Safety Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) has officially announced the launch of the Loper Flight Academy, set to be inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 20. To power this new initiative, the Academy has selected Tecnam, acquiring a brand-new fleet of seven (7) Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft to train the next generation of aviators.
The Tecnam P-Mentor was chosen as the ideal fit for the Loper Flight Academy because it perfectly aligns with the institution’s core safety mission while delivering a modern, affordable, and scalable aviation training model. Featuring low operating costs, full IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) capability, advanced avionics, and a highly student-centered design, the P-Mentor serves as much more than a training aircraft. For UNK, the fleet will act as a foundational platform for workforce development, rural access, innovation, and the growth of Nebraska’s future aviation pipeline.
“Loper Flight Academy represents the next chapter of the Nebraska Safety Center’s mission to prepare people, strengthen communities, and keep Nebraskans safe,” said Ryo Suzuki, Senior Director of the Nebraska Safety Center. “With strong partners and a student-centered approach, we are building a pathway that connects education, aviation, and workforce development in a way that can change lives.”
The establishment of the Loper Flight Academy within UNK’s College of Business and Technology provides a vital local resource for aspiring pilots, directly addressing the global demand for well-trained aviation professionals.
“This Academy is about more than learning to fly,” added Dan Smith, Director of the Aviation Program. “It is about creating confidence, discipline, professionalism, and opportunity for students who want to enter one of the most exciting and essential industries in the world.”
The P-Mentor is Tecnam’s latest two-seat, single-engine piston aircraft, specifically designed for modern flight schools. It is the only EASA/FAA CS-23 IFR and RNAV approved aircraft in its class, offering the ultimate flight training experience while significantly reducing emissions and operational costs. https://tecnam.com/aircraft/p-mentor/
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the Nebraska Safety Center for the momentous launch of the Loper Flight Academy,” said Walter Da Costa, Chief Sales Officer at Tecnam. “The P-Mentor was designed specifically to revolutionize the training environment, offering unparalleled safety, state-of-the-art avionics, and exceptional cost-efficiency. Knowing that seven of our aircraft will serve as the cornerstone for Nebraska’s future aviation workforce is a tremendous honor for the entire Tecnam team.”
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Loper Flight Academy will take place on August 20, marking a new era of flight training in Nebraska.
About The Nebraska Safety Center at UNK
The Nebraska Safety Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is a statewide leader in safety education, workforce training, and community engagement. Established in 1978, the Center exists to conserve human and economic resources through safety education and accident prevention. Today, NSC serves Nebraskans across all 93 counties through programs in driver education, traffic safety, motorcycle safety, pupil transportation, mine safety, rural transit, and community outreach.
Administered through UNK’s College of Business and Technology, the Nebraska Safety Center works with state agencies, schools, industry partners, instructors, and communities to deliver accessible, high-quality safety training throughout Nebraska. With more than 80 part-time instructors and a growing mix of in-person, online, and AI-forward learning solutions, NSC continues to expand its impact while helping keep Nebraskans safe, one day at a time.
More info: www.unk.edu/offices/safety_center/index.php
Tradition, innovation and vision. These factors are taking Tecnam to new horizons. Based on recent data and industry benchmarks, Tecnam offers the greenest training fleet in the world. Flight schools using Tecnam’s single and twin engine fleet can save up to 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions for each student who completes a Commercial Pilot Licence – a 60% reduction compared to a fleet using 100LL fuel across 155 flight hours, including 30 hours in a twin (www.Tecnam.com/soar-greener).
Per approfondimenti consulta la fonte
Go to Source
