Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Air India Orders 34 Trainer Aircraft for its New Flight School

  •  Air India has placed an order for 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft
  • Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2025, strengthening Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has placed an order for 34 trainer aircraft as it prepares to start training of cadet pilots at South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) coming up in Amravati, Maharashtra by the second half of 2025, post regulatory approvals.

The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft in the United States and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in Austria.

The FTO is a leap forward in Air India’s commitment to bolster its training infrastructure as part of its Vihaan.AI transformation program and cultivate a pipeline of pilots as it expands its fleet, becoming self-reliant.

The trainer aircraft, due for delivery starting 2025, are equipped with glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems and Jet A1 engines that will ensure advanced training for aspiring pilots.

The FTO is coming up at Amravati’s Belora airport and will target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year.

“The new FTO is a strategic move to exponentially expand our training infrastructure and our commitment to building a self-reliant ecosystem of qualified pilots for both Air India and the Indian aviation industry. With this order of 34 trainer aircraft to support South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation, we are delighted to be playing a part in building the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and to support the government’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat,”said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.

As part of its commitment to invest in aviation training, Air India opened its new Aviation Training Academy, spread over 600,000 sq ft, the largest in South Asia, in Gurugram. It is also the first airline in India to announce the setting up of an FTO that will complement Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years.

At the FTO in Amravati, Air India is developing a state-of-the-art training institute over 10 acres, with digitally enabled classrooms at par with global academies, hostels, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The FTO is curated to deliver best-in-class training with high safety standards.

Source: Air India

Related Posts

Global Aviation Training Group Airways Aviation Achieves Gold Service Center Status for Diamond Aircraft

Montpellier, France – Airways Aviation France announces its recognition as a ‘Gold’ Service Center for Diamond Aircraft. This signifies a new milestone in the company’s history and is now live on Diamond Aircraft’s official website, diamondaircraft.com underscoring the exceptional standards of maintenance, service and operational excellence that Airways Aviation consistently delivers.

As one of the largest and rapidly growing Diamond Aircraft operators globally, Airways Aviation has cemented its reputation as a trusted partner and leading operator. With the recent inclusion of Italy along with its Australian maintenance and service activities, the company currently ranks a close 2nd worldwide in terms of hours flown with Diamond Aircraft. Airways Aviation is forecasting an ambitious 35% growth in flight hours for 2025 as new Diamond Aircraft acquisitions and new service centres come online.

Speaking on the announcement, Romy Hawatt, Founder and Chairman of the Airways Aviation Group said: “Achieving Gold Diamond Aircraft Service Center status is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our brilliant European team headed by Mauro Calvano and crucially supported by Alex Alves and Lila Attal. A special recognition should also go out to our brilliant maintenance team headed by the dynamic Jose’ Costa. Diamond Aircraft has been an integral and an ongoing part of our journey and this recognition only fuels our commitment to setting new benchmarks in the industry. As we look to 2025, we are excited to explore new opportunities with Diamond Aircraft and expand our Gold Service Center status across Europe and Australia.”

Adding to the significance of the milestone, Mr Frank Zhang, CEO of Diamond Aircraft, said: “Airways Aviation has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Their growth trajectory and dedication to quality have been consistent over time and align perfectly with the values and ethos of Diamond Aircraft. We are proud to recognise Airways Aviation as a Gold Service Center and look forward to seeing their continued expansion and success in the coming years. Both Diamond Aircraft and Airways Aviation are committed to innovation, quality and collaboration in aviation excellence and this remarkable growth and dedication have been recognised by Diamond Aircraft, ever strengthening the relationship between the two organisations.”

A Partnership for the Future

The partnership between Airways Aviation and Diamond Aircraft continues to thrive, with negotiations underway to significantly expand the Airways Aviation Groups Diamond Aircraft training fleet and extend the Gold Service Center recognition to other locations across Europe and Australia. This expansion will further enhance service accessibility for Diamond Aircraft operators and reinforce both Diamond and Airways reputation as a leaders in the aviation industry and together make 2025 a golden year of innovation, excellence and growth.

About Airways Aviation
Airways Aviation is a leading global aviation education and training company, renowned for its extensive fleets, high-quality training and commitment to operational excellence serving aspiring pilots and aviation professionals worldwide.

About Diamond Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft is a world-class manufacturer of high-performance, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly aircraft. With a commitment to innovation, safety, and quality, Diamond Aircraft is a trusted name in the aviation industry.

Source: Airways Aviation

US Flight Training Group, Paragon Flight Training, Announces Fleet Expansion Plans; Recaps Key 2024 Successes, Including Growth of its Punta Gorda Location

Fort Myers, Florida, USA – Paragon Flight Training, an award-winning flight training academy based at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida, is increasing its fleet investment in Piper aircraft in 2025, upping the ambitious strategic plan the company unveiled in 2022. The announcement – and other news – was shared by Paragon Flight President and Owner, Chris Schoensee.

“Paragon Flight has benefitted from a multitude of positive business experiences in 2024 that have further bolstered our confidence in the decision to increase our fleet investments for 2025 and beyond,” Schoensee said. “In 2022, we projected the purchase of 50 new Piper Pilot 100i’s by the end of 2027. We’re now planning on 70 Piper P100i aircraft in that same period. It is an exceptional training platform, and we consider it the gold standard in flight training. We have totally re-fleeted our aircraft inventory since 2022, a stretch goal for us that has now been realized.”

On December 11, Paragon Flight took possession of the 200 serial number Piper P100i, after receiving the 100 serial number aircraft in January 2023. Schoensee gave a nod to the company’s second Florida location at Punta Gorda PDG Air Center – and the Punta Gorda airport community – for making an outsized contribution to the company’s success this year.

“We opened our Punta Gorda location in 2023 on the strength of the Paragon Flight brand with one aircraft; we now have eight aircraft there – all Pipers – to meet the increased local demand for flight training in this now bustling region of southwest Florida. We are also nearing completion of renovated space for ground training and for students to study and gather,” Schoensee said. “Plus, the leadership team at the PGD Air Center has been phenomenal.  They understand that a flight school is an introduction to the broader world of general aviation and ultimately helps to support and build up airports and the industry as a whole. We are extremely grateful for the welcome they continue to extend to Paragon Flight.”

Other 2024 Paragon Flight Training Highlights

  • December – approaching completion of a maintenance hangar at the Punta Gorda location which will bring in three new maintenance personnel.
  • November – purchased the assets of Airventures in LaGrange, Georgia, a flight training cornerstone in the region for more than 30 years. The acquisition follows the company’s 2023 entrance into the Georgia market when it began a partnership with LaGrange College to offer the college’s first program in aviation.
  • November – took possession of its 10th Piper P100i, bringing its fleet to 34 aircraft; With more than 30 Piper aircraft currently in its fleet, Paragon Flight owns approximately 15% of the Piper P100i aircraft, introduced in 2020, in existence.
  • May – announced its company-wide student enrollment was at an all-time high.

“As we continue to gain momentum, Paragon Flight is committed to providing our students with a professional flight training experience that they can’t find anywhere else,” Schoensee said.

About Paragon Flight Training
Paragon Flight is an award-winning flight academy headquartered at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida. Holding FAA and SEVIS accreditations, the company trains commercial, professional, and recreational pilots as well as offering military pilot training for domestic and foreign governments. With multiple locations in Florida and Georgia, Paragon Flight now has more than 34,000 square feet of training facilities in the South Eastern United States.

Source: Paragon Flight Training
Photo Credit: Paragon Flight Training

Related Posts

Canary Islands-based Flight School, CANAVIA Aviation Academy, to Expand Fleet with New Tecnam Aircraft

Italy – headquartered training aircraft manufacturer Tecnam announced that the renowned CANAVIA Spanish Aviation Academy based in the Canary Islands, will incorporate a new P2006T NG into their fleet.

The school already operates three (3) multi-engine P2006T MkII’s and seven (7) single-engine Tecnam P2008JC MkII’s 365 days a year, providing high level training to over 140 students.

TheP2006T NG, Next Generation, is the latest version of the P2006T, one of the smartest twin engine aircraft on the market today, offering unbeatable value and innovative design with a modern Garmin avionics suite, integrating all primary flight, navigation, communication and terrain data on two high-definition LCDs.

The aircraft is also equipped with two-axis autopilot, for the most efficient MEP complex training.

Fitted with two Rotax 912iSc3 injected engines, the Tecnam P2006T exhibits remarkable fuel savings and can be operated on AVGAS and MOGAS fuel, leading to huge cost savings, offering the best training for Multi Engine, Variable Pitch and Retractable Landing Gear ratings. The advanced avionic system offers VFR/ VFR Night, MEP, IR, PBN (LNAV, VNAV, LPV).

Mario Pons, CANAVIA CEO, airline pilot on B737, said: “To provide excellence to our ATPL student pilots in the Canary Islands (Spain,) CANAVIA had just ordered the new P2006T NG to Tecnam completing its fleet of three P2006T and seven P2008 MkII maintained by our approved Service Center.”

“We are very proud to have CANAVIA as one of the major flight schools using our modern fleet solution. Together we are innovating flight training in Europe and offering students and airlines the highest standard of training,” said Walter Da Costa, Tecnam Chief Sales Officer.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have had the opportunity to serve CANAVIA and are delighted that they have chosen to do business with us. We look forward to continuing to build a long-term relationship with CANAVIA and to serving them with the same level of excellence and dedication that they deserve,” said Tecnam’s Spanish Dealer Alvaro Lapetra.

Tradition, innovation and vision. These factors are taking Tecnam to new horizons. Based on recent data and industry benchmarks, Tecnam offers the greenest training fleet in the world. Flight schools using Tecnam’s single and twin engine fleet can save up to 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions for each student who completes a Commercial Pilot Licence – a 60% reduction compared to a fleet using 100LL fuel across 155 flight hours, including 30 hours in a twin.

About CANAVIA
Located in the paradise of the Canary Islands, with one of the best meteorological conditions worldwide, our fleet is always in the air… Besides, an exclusive Aerodrome surrounded by 8 international airports allows CANAVIA to train at a very professional level.

About TECNAM; “Quality Aircraft since 1948”
Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and one of the world’s leading piston aircraft manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, the company is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates two subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, to serve and support the needs of local Tecnam owners and operators. Tecnam designs and manufactures a wide range of aircraft for personal use, commercial operations, business travel, flight training, surveillance, law enforcement and other specialised applications.

Source: Tecnam
Photo Credit: Tecnam

Related Posts

Indian Flight Training Group Chimes Aviation Academy Highlights Fleet Expansion in 2024

Gurgaon, India – Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA), which operates two flight training bases in India and recently announced an order to expand its fleet with additional training aircraft, has reflected on a successful 2024 marked by significant milestones, including a major fleet expansion to enhance its training capabilities.

  • The academy added three new aircraft to its training fleet:
    • 2 Tecnam P2010 TDI
    • 1 Diamond DA 42

It also celebrate the fifth anniversary of its partnership with IndiGo, one of India’s largest and most respected airlines.

Source: Chimes Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: Chimes Aviation Academy

Related Posts

Training Aircraft Manufacturer Tecnam Aircraft Announces Discontinuation of Partnership with ALTISKY

Capua, Italy – TECNAM announces that since November 2024, ALTISKY is no longer part of their official dealer network. The partnership with ALTISKY ended as per its contractual term and was not renewed.

This decision is in line with TECNAM’s commitment to maintain the highest standards of service, quality and customer satisfaction.

While ALTISKY will no longer be authorized to represent TECNAM, the company wants to reassure their customers that their extensive network of authorized dealers and service providers remains dedicated to delivering the exceptional experience and products you expect.

About TECNAM; “Quality Aircraft since 1948”
Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and one of the world’s leading piston aircraft manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, the company is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates two subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, to serve and support the needs of local Tecnam owners and operators. Tecnam designs and manufactures a wide range ofaircraft for personal use, commercial operations, business travel, flight training, surveillance, law enforcement and other specialised applications.

Source: Tecnam
Photo Credit: Tecnam

Related Posts

US Flight Training Group, Paragon Flight Training, Takes Delivery of Pilot 100i SN 200, Expands Pilot 100i Orders

Vero Beach, Florida, USA – Piper Flight School Alliance member Paragon Flight Training of Fort Myers, Florida, has taken delivery of the 200th Pilot 100i produced by Piper Aircraft. This milestone aircraft joins Paragon’s fleet of over thirty (30) Piper Pilot 100is and one (1) Seminole.

Piper Aircraft has produced the Pilot 100i for four years, and Piper’s Flight School Alliance partners value the high dispatch reliability of the platform, which utilizes Garmin full panel avionics, a Lycoming IO-360 180 HP engine, and a three-seat configuration. The Pilot 100i is classified as a Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), allowing schools an unmatched level of versatility in flight training.

Paragon began taking delivery of Pilot 100i aircraft in early 2022, including SN 100. Now, at the end of 2024, they have received another milestone serial number, SN 200.

Paragon recently finalized another large order for additional Pilot 100i and Seminole aircraft, placing Paragon on the path to becoming the largest Pilot 100i fleet operator worldwide by 2027. These increased orders also support the company’s most recent expansion outside of Florida, with its 2024 acquisition of Airventures, a flight school in LaGrange, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. The purchase follows the company’s 2023 entrance into the Georgia market, when it began a partnership with LaGrange College to offer the college’s first program in aviation.

Paragon’s Pilot 100i deliveries will resume in early 2025 and continue throughout 2027. “Paragon Flight continues to enjoy a mutually rewarding relationship with Piper. We work collaboratively and confidently together as we build up our fleet of Piper P100i aircraft and train the next generation of pilots using this outstanding platform,” Chris Schoensee, Paragon Flight Training President, said. “We are incredibly pleased to now have possession of both the 200 and 100 serial number P100i’s.”

“It is our honor to partner with well-respected training establishments like Paragon Flight Training as they leverage the Pilot 100i platform to make the most of their operations,” said Ron Gunnarson, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, Customer Support, and Quality at Piper Aircraft. “We are thrilled to renew our commitment to Paragon through our collaborative relationship and look forward to watching serial number 200 and beyond bring great success to all three of Paragon’s flight traininglocations.” 

About Piper Aircraft, Inc.
Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fl., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single and twin-engine aircraft and is the first general aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland. The single-engine M-Class series – the M700 FURY, M500, and M350 – offers businesses and individuals elegant performance, value and a superior ownership experience. The Personal Class, Archer LX and Archer DLX balance proven performance, efficiency, and simplicity in a piston-powered aircraft. The Trainer Class Pilot 100i, Archer TX, Archer DX, and Seminole aircraft form the most complete technically advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

About Paragon Flight Training
Paragon Flight is an award-winning flight academy headquartered at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida. Holding FAA and SEVIS accreditations, the company trains commercial, professional, and recreational pilots as well as offering military pilot training for domestic and foreign governments. With multiple locations in Florida and Georgia, Paragon Flight now has more than 34,000 square feet of training facilities in the South Eastern United States.

Source: Piper Aircraft
Photo Credit: Piper Aircraft

Related Posts

Training Aircraft Manufacturer Blackshape Aircraft Achieves Early Approval for New European Safety Management System

Monopoli, Italy – Blackshape Aircraft, a manufacturer of advanced light aircraft, has announced the approval of its Safety Management System (SMS), achieving compliance with new European aviation safety standards well ahead of the March 2025 deadline. This development underscores the company’s commitment to proactive risk management and operational excellence.

  • The SMS implementation represents a systematic approach to managing safety, engaging all organizational levels, including Design Organization Approval (DOA) and Production Organization Approval (POA) functions, as well as external stakeholders.
  • The system is designed to identify and mitigate risks, enhancing flight safety and operational reliability.
  • Blackshape views the SMS not only as a regulatory requirement but as a strategic opportunity to optimize processes and foster a culture of safety

Blackshape Aircraft manufacturers the popular training aircraft – Gabriel.

Source: Blackshape
Photo Credit: Blackshape

Related Posts

Training Aircraft Manufacturer Cirrus Aircraft Achieves EASA and UK Type Certification for G7 Aircraft

Cirrus Aircraft has announced that its SR Series G7 aircraft has achieved type certification from both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA).

  • The SR Series G7 is equipped with the Garmin Perspective Touch+ avionics suite, offering advanced technology for personal aviation.
  • The aircraft integrates Cirrus’ industry-leading safety systems, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).

About Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft, headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, USA is a global leader in personal aviation, renowned for its innovative SR Series including TRAC version for flight training organisations, which feature advanced technology and safety systems.

Source: Cirrus
Photo Credit: Cirrus

Related Posts