Cessna has clinched an order from Russian pilot training provider ViraZH for 79 Skyhawks.

The four-seat, piston-engined 172 Skyhawks will be handed over during the fourth quarter of 2014. Upon delivery of the final aircraft, the Moscow-based company will become one of the world’s largest operators of the high-wing type.

The Textron Lycoming IO-360-L2A-powered Skyhawk will be incorporated into ViraZH’s flight school network situated throughout western Russia.

“We are delighted to have a strong relationship with ViraZH and are proud they have selected the Cessna 172 Skyhawk to be their training platform,” says Kriya Shortt, Cessna senior vice president of sales. “This order augments an additional 11 Skyhawks purchased by ViraZH in 2011.”

Source: Flight International