TOMORROW'S TRAINER? Jet tech for future pros comes at a premium B Y DAV I D T U L I S SMALL DIFFERENCES on the outside set the JT-A apart from its Lycoming-powered cousin. The inspection port on the cowling allows a modest view of the engine, but the oil filler door is located on the pilot's side of the aircraft. THE CESSNA JT-A is as familiar and predictable as any Skyhawk, yet there are differences in equipment and procedures that could begin to familiarize airline-bound students with the cockpit controls they are likely to encounter in their careers. This similarity also could make the aircraft a good fit for flight schools-if they can justify the extra cost of the diesel model. Engine operations are fairly simple-a potential advantage for students, who can shift their focus from mixtures and hot starts to learning fundamental flying principles. The JT-A's advantages over the avgas version of the Skyhawk when starting and during run-up are obvious by looking at the two handbooks. Setting aside all the Garmin steps, the 172S takes about eight hands-on steps to start, including some fancy twohanded work with the key and mixture control. The JT-A takes six, and no two-handed dancing. Put the thrust lever to idle, turn on the aircraft and engine master switches, press the starter button, and turn off the fuel pump. That's all it takes. During run-up the differences are even more dramatic. Even though the avgas 172 and the JT-A each have roughly the same www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 59http://www.aopa.org/pilot