Vincennes University Spending $5.8M On New School Planes

VINCENNES, Ind. (AP) — Vincennes University is spending $5.8 million to modernize its fleet of airplanes for its aviation program at Indianapolis International Airport.

Aviation program chairman Mike Gehrich says the 11 new planes will replace nine current aircraft that average 14 years old. Gehrich says the new planes with updated technology will give the program an edge over other schools.

The Vincennes Sun-Commercial reports the university's finance committee approved the purchase of eight single-engine Cirrus SR 20 aircraft, which will be used the most in training aviation students. The others are two twin-engine Piper Seminoles and a single-engine Piper Arrow.

The aviation program now has about 60 student pilots and 150 studying aviation technology, and Gehrich says the additional planes will allow it to enroll more student pilots.