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.
