![Tecnam P-Mentor [Credit: Tecnam Aviation]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8680.jpg)
Tecnam has been selected to supply P-Mentor aircraft to the Portuguese Air Force for its new elementary flight training program.
According to Tecnam, the contract was awarded by the country’s Ministry of National Defense. The company said the arrangement was made possible with the cooperation of Spanish aviation group World Aviation S.L.
World Aviation will deliver seven new Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft, supported by synthetic training systems and flight instructor training. The partnership includes a five-year integrated logistics support package that covers both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
“World Aviation is deeply honored to support the Portuguese Air Force in preparing the next generation of military pilots,” Fernando Casado, training manager of World Aviation, said in a news release. “This program reflects our long-standing commitment to delivering high-quality aviation services based on safety, professionalism, and operational excellence. We are proud to work alongside Tecnam and to contribute to the mission readiness and future capability of the Portuguese Air Force.”
World Aviation has an established relationship with Tecnam, operating five of the manufacturer’s P2008JC aircraft within an Approved Training Organization (ATO) fleet that has logged over 20,000 flight hours and trained over 2,000 students.
About the Aircraft
The P-Mentor is a modern, purpose-built training platform designed for the rigorous demands of military elementary flight training. The aircraft features advanced avionics based on the Garmin G3X suite. The company describes it as an efficient, reliable, and effective learning environment.
“The P-Mentor was designed to revolutionize flight training by offering the most modern, safe, and cost-effective platform on the market.” said Walter Da Costa, Tecnam’s chief sales officer. “Seeing it selected to train the next generation of military aviators in Europe is a testament to the aircraft’s incredible capabilities. We are extremely proud that the Portuguese Air Force, through our trusted partner World Aviation, has selected the P-Mentor for their elementary flight training program.”
About the Company
Tecnam was established in 1986 by Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, and the “P” in P-Mentor stands for Pascale.
According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Tecnam is one of the world’s top producers of piston-powered aircraft, having delivered 7,500 as of 2025.
