University of Maine Acquires New Aircraft

ME – The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), the only college in the state and one of only two in all of New England offering aviation degree programs, has acquired a new Cirrus SR-20 GS that will enable it to enhance its already state-of-the-art pilot training program. UMA’s aviation program was established in 2013 as a public-private partnership between UMA and Maine Instrument Flight (MIF) in Augusta. Academic instruction takes place at UMA, and MIF, a Part 141 flight school, handles the flight training side at Augusta State Airport (AUG).

The Cirrus provides training in high-performance aircraft as well as the most advanced digital glass avionics available with the Cirrus Perspective suite. UMA has two FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Devices, a Redbird FMX and a commercial Boeing 737 at its Brunswick facility. UMA has also begun incorporating the use of Virtual Reality in its training, adding a layer of safety and reducing the cost of flight training compared to actually flying the airplane. In addition to its manned pilot training, UMA offers FAA-approved Part 107 Remote Pilot certification. Maine Instrument Flight provides a wide range of aviation services, including aircraft maintenance, air charter, and FBO ground services. Its partnership with UMA furnishes a steady supply of pilots and instructors for its own operations as well as pilots advancing into the workforce for commercial air carriers.