Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Training Aircraft Manufacturer Elixir Aircraft to Open New US Facility in Florida

During the Sun’n’Fun airshow taking place from 9 to 14 April 2024 in Lakeland, Florida, Elixir Aircraft is proud to announce a new site in the United States. Situated at Sarasota Bradenton Airport in Florida, this facility will focus on the reassembly of aircraft intended for delivery to clients in the US. The demand for Elixir aircraft in the American market is substantial, with over 200 units already pre-ordered. This expansion will result in the employment of approximately 200 new staff members at the Sarasota location, in addition to the existing 200 staff members in France.

The 4th generation aircraft manufacturer, Elixir Aircraft, has marked the next phase of their growth by signing a long-term lease for their new, main US reassembly and support facility in Sarasota, Florida.

Located on the flight line at Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ), the facility will consist of two custom and modern buildings. Elixir Aircraft will take occupation of the first 12,500 square feet fully renovated hangar in Q4 2024, mainly for initial re-assembly of aircraft delivered to US clients.

Then a new second building of 6,000 square feet adjacent to the first shall be taken on by Elixir Aircraft in August of 2025, to continue with re-assembly and hold spare parts stock for the east coast of the USA.

Both buildings will support Elixir Aircraft’s long-term growth and talent recruitment in America.

Elixir Aircraft envisions employing around 200 staff at Sarasota Bradenton Airport by 2027. These men and women will provide numerous services to Elixir Aircraft’s North American clients including administration, aircraft reassembly and deliveries, maintaining stock of spare parts and providing any support needed.

In addition to Sarasota, Elixir is currently putting in place additional support partnerships in Arizona and the Midwest USA.

The company’s CEO, Arthur Léopold-Léger, explains: “When we started Elixir, we knew the American market will be key to the future success of the company. After years of looking for the right U.S. location, and many trips to the area, we are excited to tell the world we will be in Sarasota, Florida. We at Elixir Aircraft would like to thank the management team of Sarasota Airport specifically Rick Piccolo Airport CEO, Joseph Filippelli SVP Real Estate and Lionel Guilbert SVP Operations, for making this decision and whole process  both easy and enjoyable.”

Cyril Champenois, Elixir Aircraft co-Founder, further explains: “With over 200 aircraft already on order and pre-order in the U.S., our new Sarasota facility is crucial to our growth globally. Sarasota located on the East coast, with a passionate aviation and sailing community, is similar to our home city of La Rochelle France. We look forward to the future from an office that feels like home. We have also factored in room to grow in the SRQ area, so the Elixir team and I envision many happy years ahead of us.”

In February 2024, Elixir announced an expansion of their headquarters in La Rochelle, France to 14,000 m² (150,000 sqft). This highly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly industrial site will house all production activities. Elixir Aircraft aims to produce more than 300 aircraft a year. To meet demand, Elixir HQ is expected to employ over a thousand people by 2033.

About Elixir Aircraft

Elixir Aircraft, created in 2015 and headquartered in France, offers aviators throughout the world the latest and most advanced 4th generation single engine aircraft. Based in La Rochelle, Elixir Aircraft employs more than 150 employees, is recruiting massively and is constructing new facilities in La Rochelle, France and Sarasota, Florida, USA. 

Elixir Aircraft uses a technology from the world of competitive sailing, the “Carbon Oneshot” (in one piece), to simplify structures. More simplicity means fewer failures, so greater safety, but also less maintenance, and lower costs (estimates of $50/h fuel and maintenance). All Elixir airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit.  

20 Elixir are currently in operation, with over 200 examples on the order book (firm or pre-orders). In June 2023, the French President announces a 13 million euro subsidy for Elixir Aircraft. In early 2024, Elixir Aircraft announces the closing of its development financing for the next 5 years, with a budget of 40 million euros. Elixir Aircraft is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Source: Elixir Aircraft
Photo Credit: Elixir Aircraft

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US Flight Training Group, Hillsboro Aero Academy, Places Order for 10 New Piper Aircraft

Training aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced the purchase of five Archer TX and five Pilot 100i aircraft for Hillsboro Aero Academy, a global leader in airplane and helicopter pilot training. The first delivery of these aircraft is scheduled for early 2027.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Hillsboro Aero Academy in supplying cutting-edge training aircraft and look forward to welcoming them into the Piper Flight School Alliance,” said Ron Gunnarson, VP of Marketing, Sales & Customer Support at Piper Aircraft. “Piper is known for providing flight schools with durable and reliable trainers, and we’re confident these aircraft will help them grow their mission to provide thorough and cost-effective flight training to students in the world’s finest training aircraft.”

Aligned in their unwavering dedication to safety, quality, and student achievement, Hillsboro Aero Academy and Piper Aircraft continue to shape the future of aviation together with the purchase of these 10 new Piper trainers to add to their fleet.

“Our commitment at Hillsboro Aero Academy is to provide top-notch training for our students, and these new aircraft will be pivotal in achieving that objective. The Piper brand represents aviation excellence, and we’re positive these aircraft will equip our students for success in their aviation careers,” stated Nik Kresse, Vice President of Airplane Operations at Hillsboro Aero Academy. “We are pleased to announce the purchase of these 10 new aircraft from Piper, and look forward to this new partnership.”

About Hillsboro Aero Academy

For four decades, thousands of pilots from more than 75 countries have started their career paths with Hillsboro Aero Academy, earning us a global reputation as one of the world’s top flight schools. Our focus on career readiness is still matched by our founding belief in personal attention, mentorship, and support. HAA delivers an extended visa option for international students, an industry-leading reputation, the industry’s top safety certification, and one of the world’s most diverse flight environments.

About Piper Aircraft

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. To learn more about Piper Aircraft, visit the company’s website at www.piper.com.

Source: Piper Aircraft
Photo Credit: Piper Aircraft

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France based Mermoz Academy Takes Delivery of 10 New Training Aircraft

The recent acquisition of 10 Tecnam P-Mentors completes French aviation and pilot training group Mermoz’s fleet expansion programme. The aircraft will be used for both PPL (Private Pilot Licence) and MPL (Multi Pilot Licence) courses.

One of the reasons for this choice, apart from the excellent fuel consumption, is the lowest CO2 emissions, making the P-Mentor the aircraft of choice for students and flight schools.

Students at the Mermoz base in Tours are now happy to begin and complete their IFR training on a modern platform with digital screens and all the features of the large aircraft they will be working on. The academy, which has been operating in France since 2018, currently has 220 students and a fleet of ten (10) P-Mentor, five (5) P2006T twin-engine and four (4) P2010 single-engine four-seaters.

The P-Mentor is a two-seat single engine piston aircraft fully IFR – is compliant with the latest CS-23 EASA & FAA requirements, allowing PBN/RNAV/AFCS capabilities. The modern flight school have today one platform to train students from their first flight up to CPL- IR, including Variable Pitch Propeller, Simulated Retractable Landing Gear and UPRT.

The P-Mentor is designed to offer the best human machine interface resulting in the most effective VFR/IFR training while the generous fuel tank allows Flight Schools to fly all day long without refueling, no interruption is equal to improve operational value. Lowest cost of maintenance, lowest fuel consumption, and the greatest value for money, make this aircraft a unique profit opportunity for any Flight School.

Stephane Larrieu, Mermoz Academy Managing Director said “With this new acquisition, we now have a harmonised Tecnam fleet that allows us to offer modern flight training, from PPL to IR ME. Mermoz Academy owns its own fleet and maintains it internally through its Authorised Tecnam Service Centre. We feel that we have all the “tools” to offer training at the highest level, helping airlines and students to meet their needs.”

Walter Da Costa, Tecnam’s Chief Sales Officer said “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Mermoz Academy and to see its growth. The Tecnam fleet is a unique solution on the market, ensuring reliability, cost control, intelligent training and low emissions. Together with Mermoz, we are proud to innovate the flight training paradigm in France.”

About Mermoz Academy

MERMOZ ACADEMY is a reference ATO in Europe since 1957, which operates a modern fleet of airplanes and the biggest Tecnam fleets in Europe. The academy trains 150 students a year on different bases South of France, (Nimes), near Paris (Tours), in the USA and Canada. Instructors are former Air Force pilots and Airliners pilots to offering students the highest industry’s standards training.

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 Aircraft
Photo Credit: Tecnam Aircraft

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