Skyhawk 172

China-based Shandong Hairuo General Aviation has placed an order with Textron’s subsidiary Cessna Aircraft to purchase six Skyhawk 172 aircraft.

The order was announced at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, US. This is the second order by the Chinese firm this year.

Shandong Hairuo agreed to buy two Cessna Skyhawk airliners for pilot training in China earlier this year at the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE).

Cessna China and Mongolia region international sales vice-president Kevin Wu said: "The opening of China’s low-altitude airspace has boosted the pilot training market in the region, and this additional order further demonstrates the Cessna Skyhawk’s continued leadership in pilot training around the world."

"This additional order further demonstrates the Cessna Skyhawk’s continued leadership in pilot training around the world."

A Part 91 general aviation operator, Shandong Hairuo is an authorised sales representative and customer service facility for Cessna single-engine aircraft in China.

The company currently operates four Skyhawks, and is planning to provide Part 141 training for personal, commercial and airline pilots.

Shandong Hairuo General Aviation chairman Chen Maosen said: "The new aircraft will join our existing fleet for expanding our business in pilot training.

"As the authorised sales representative and customer service facility for Cessna aircraft in China, we are devoted to the future of the general aviation sector, and reinforce the cooperation with Textron Aviation for a win-win solution for our customers."

Skyhawk aircraft incorporates advanced technologies, including the G1000 avionics system, and is said to be the world standard for pilot training.

Since 1955, more than 48,000 Skyhawks have been delivered and are in service with customers around the world.

Image: A Cessna Skyhawk aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Textron Aviation.