![Star Flight Training in Virginia nearly doubles its fleet size with recent Tecnam P-Mentor order. [Credit: Star Flight Training]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/P-Mentor_Air-2-Air-2-of-6.jpg)
Star Flight Training in Roanoke, Virginia, heads into the spring flying season with four new IFR-equipped Tecnam P-Mentors joining the existing fleet of five Diamond DA40-180s.
According to Tecnam, the P-Mentor has significantly lower fuel consumption compared to traditional training aircraft, allowing the school to operate longer training missions while actively reducing operating costs and environmental impact. The manufacturer also said the aircraft’s modern cockpit ensures students train with technology that closely reflects what they will encounter throughout their aviation careers.
“We are committed to providing the highest quality flight training with the best equipment available,” said Matt Hunt, office manager at Star Flight Training. “The Tecnam P-Mentor delivers a premier training experience that our students truly appreciate.”
The Part 61 flight school, which boasts an intensive training program, is located at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (KROA), a Class C facility. According to Hunt, the Tecnam P-Mentors will be utilized by students enrolled in pursuit of aviation careers as well as hobbyist pilots.
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“Last year we did approximately 5,000 hours of instruction and had 50 students go for check rides,” Hunt said. “The reduced maintenance costs associated with the Rotax 912 [engine] platform has huge potential to make flight training more accessible, which is one of our focuses. Our average fuel burn went from 9 gallons an hour with the Diamond to around 4 gallons now with the Tecnam P-Mentor.”
The lower fuel consumption of the P-Mentor combined with the latest in cockpit technology makes it a good choice for the flight school, according to Richard Donnelly, director of operations at Star Flight Training.
![Tecnam P-Mentor at Star Flight Training in Roanoke, Virginia [Credit: Star Flight Training]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/STAR_Flight_Training-30-of-31-1024x576.jpg)
“The aircraft combines excellent fuel efficiency, modern avionics, and outstanding handling characteristics, making it an ideal platform for teaching students from their first flight through advanced training,” said Donnelly, noting the reduced conserved fuel will help the school maintain strong operational efficiency.
“It burns roughly half the fuel of many traditional training aircraft, which allows us to operate for extended training missions throughout the day.”
According to Tecnam, the P-Mentor represents a new generation of aircraft specifically designed to take a student from ab initio through advanced certifications through a combination of an advanced avionics suite and a training-focused airframe.
