Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Spain-based Flight School, Quality Fly, Expands Fleet by 37% in 2023 Announces Addition of Training Aircraft

Quality Fly, the Madrid, Spain based flight school announces the addition of a second Tecnam P2006MEP, following the two P2008 SEP aircraft already added earlier in 2023. Quality fly already boasts the most complete and innovative EASA ATPL Integrated course featuring all the latest innovations in airline pilot training, and their 2023 growth has seen them rapidly expand their fleet by a massive 37% in order to maintain the highest quality of airline pilot training.

After the arrival of their 4th and 5th P2008 single engine aircraft earlier in 2023, this month sees them welcome their second multi engine Tecnam P2006. And the expansion doesn’t stop there, with more aircraft arrivals planned in 2024 in order to respond to the growing number of inscriptions in the school.

Tecnam aircraft constitute an impressive 10 out of Quality Fly’s 11-strong fleet, including 3 P2002JF, 5 P2008JC, and 2 Tecnam P2006T models. The remaining aircraft, a Cessna 172S, primarily serves for UPRT training purposes.

But what sets Tecnam apart in Quality Fly’s eyes? Firstly, Tecnam has established itself as the gold standard for flight schools, and is renowned for its exceptional efficiency. This translates to lower operational costs and better sustainability, enabling Quality Fly to maintain its proud status as a carbon-neutral flight school.

The inclusion of glass cockpits ensures unmatched visibility for cadet pilots, enabling them to seamlessly transition between high-wing and low-wing aircraft.

Quality Fly’s fleet are nearly all Tecnam aircraft, meaning fleet standardisation. Why is this important? It means greater ease in learning for students, which in turn keeps costs down, a saving that can be passed onto the client.

Quality Fly’s new Tecnam P2006 comes with factory–installed Traffic Advisory System, with ongoing installation across the rest of the fleet. Additionally, it is equipped with a Garmin terrain detector and accelerometer.

With the eagerly anticipated arrival more aircraft to their fleet in 2024, this is an exhilarating moment to be part of Quality Fly and its groundbreaking ATPL Integrated Pilot Training program.

Source: Quality Fly
Photo Credit: Quality Fly

Related Posts

AeroGuard Flight Training Center Signs Deal with Piper Aircraft to Expand Fleet and Training Capacity with 90 New Planes

Phoenix, Arizona global flight training organisation AeroGuard Flight Training Center is excited to announce a recent aircraft expansion deal with Piper Aircraft where it will receive 90 new Piper Archers.

With this deal, AeroGuard will almost double its fleet in size, bringing it to over 200 aircraft. This order signifies AeroGuard’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for pilot training across the globe and in key markets within the U.S., Middle East, India, and East Asia. As a
result, AeroGuard expects the capacity to consistently train over 2,000 student pilots across its three U.S. campuses and Saudi Arabia campus, preparing student pilots for professional careers at the world’s leading airlines.

AeroGuard’s capacity across these four campus locations is a critical asset for its global airline customers at a time for high pilot training demand. With existing airlines expanding their fleets and new airlines establishing a presence in the industry, thousands of new pilots will be
needed in the Middle East, India, and elsewhere in Asia over the next five years. AeroGuard’s global presence allows it to be a leading flight training provider for the Region and produce highly skilled pilots for airlines all over the world.

Joel Davidson, CEO of AeroGuard Flight Training Center, shared “We are thrilled to sign this agreement with Piper Aircraft to bring 90 new Piper Archers to AeroGuard’s fleet. This investment represents our commitment to providing our airline partners’ student pilots with every resource they need to succeed while experiencing the highest quality flight training in the world. With these additional aircraft, AeroGuard has the capacity to welcome hundreds of new airline cadets to our pilot training programs.”

In addition to this order of 90 aircraft, AeroGuard will have added 25 additional planes to its rapidly expanding fleet by the end of 2023. AeroGuard also recently expanded its Phoenix, USA campus location, growing capacity by 30% with the addition of a new building. AeroGuard’s over 600 U.S. student pilots form the pipeline capable of training hundreds of students from all over the world. These U.S. student pilots are offered Flight Instructor positions with AeroGuard to build their flight experience upon graduation. Combined with this new aircraft order with Piper, AeroGuard is well positioned to become the leading flight training academy in the world.

AeroGuard Flight Training Center has established successful and strategic partnerships with leading airlines and institutions, including Cathay Pacific, SkyWest Airlines and Korea Aerospace University, and several other airline and university partnerships across the Middle
East, India, and the rest of Asia.

“At Piper Aircraft, we pride ourselves in making high-quality, reliable training aircraft to support each flight school’s individual needs,” said John Calcagno, President and CEO. “We are honored to continue our partnership with Piper Flight School Alliance member, AeroGuard, and provide them with 90 new trainers over the next 5 years.”

AeroGuard is a leading international flight training provider with growing training capacity and facilities, four global locations that offer ideal flight training environments with up to 350 flying days a year, and a high-quality curriculum to develop future industry leaders
worldwide. The new Piper Archers will be delivered to AeroGuard in 2024 and the coming years and further contribute to the efficiency of AeroGuard’s accelerated programs, while continuing to focus on safety and quality training.

About AeroGuard Flight Training Center
AeroGuard Flight Training Center is one of the U.S.’s most successful flight schools, offering accelerated commercial pilot training to candidates from all over the world. With a commitment to safety and student success, AeroGuard has a proven history of training airline ready pilots, with over one million flight hours of training experience and graduating over 7,000 cadets.

Source: AeroGuard Flight Training Center

Related Posts

Piper Aircraft Delivers First of 17 Pilot 100i Aircraft to Global Pilot Training Group Skyborne’s US Campus

Piper Aircraft is proud to announce the delivery of Skyborne Airline Academy’s first Pilot 100i. Skyborne recently signed a multiyear fleet agreement for eleven (11) new Pilot 100i aircraft, building upon their existing all-Piper fleet at their Vero Beach, Florida campus.

The Pilot 100i has successfully made its mark in the flight training space since production began over three years ago and is popular amongst flight schools of all sizes. With a full Garmin suite of avionics, including the GFC 500 digital autopilot, GNX 375 transponder, G5 standby display, and G3X touch screen PFD/MEFD, the Pilot 100i is a technically advanced platform that optimizes the venerable PA-28-181 for the flight school market.

Skyborne has risen to popularity in recent years, attracting talented international and domestic students to their career-focused professional pilot training programs. Earlier this year, their popularity expanded with the launch of the “Propel Flight Academy by Delta”, a new partnership between Skyborne and Delta Air Lines. The program provides a defined pathway to a career at Delta and includes financial support and other resources for students to make the most of their flight training. Skyborne earned this exclusive designation from Delta as a result of their stellar industry reputation and ideal facility location. Both Skyborne and Piper Aircraft are based at the Vero Beach Regional Airport, named the top general aviation airport in the state of Florida in 2022 by the FDOT.

Presently, Skyborne operates an existing fleet of over fifty Piper Warriors, Arrows, and Seminoles. Their Pilot 100i fleet order enters them into the Piper Flight School Alliance, a one-of-a-kind initiative designed to highlight elite flight training programs operating a new-production Piper fleet. Skyborne’s Pilot 100i deliveries began late last week and will continue through the remainder of 2023 into 2025.

“Piper Aircraft is proud to partner with Skyborne, our neighbors just down the taxiway from Piper headquarters,” said Ron Gunnarson, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support. “Skyborne has an impressive history of training professional and competent pilots using Piper fleet products, and now with the addition of the Pilot 100i, we look forward to continuing to support that legacy.”

“We are incredibly excited to add 11 Piper Pilot 100is to our fleet of 52 Piper aircraft,” said Skyborne’s Managing Director, Dan Peterson. “With these new Pilot 100is, we will be able to continue delivering world-class training to our student pilots. Piper being our neighbor and partner has been extremely beneficial to us both, as we train the next generation of pilots, and Piper continues to provide top-of-the-line aircraft.”

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 M600/SLS, 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 Skyborne

Skyborne Airline Academy is a modern airline training academy based at Vero Beach, Florida, United States, and Gloucestershire Airport in the United Kingdom. Established by industry experts, Skyborne brings a fresh approach to airline pilot training. Founders Tom Misner (chairman) and Lee Woodward (CEO) have unsurpassed experience in commercial aviation, education, and training. It is their vision to create a training environment where the highest standard of teaching, safety and relevant airline-style training is maintained, and interactive learning is encouraged. Using a combination of tried and tested methods and the latest technology to assess competence, suitability, aptitude, and resilience, Skyborne aims to recruit the very best candidates to minimize additional training, reduce failure rates, and provide airlines with better pilots and cabin crew. Skyborne is proud to hold close relationships with the world’s leading airlines, offering opportunities for trainees as part of British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy, the Delta Propel Career Path Program, the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme, and the SkyWest Professional Pilot Pathway.

Source: Piper Aircraft
Photo Credit: Piper Aircraft

Related Posts

Belgian Flight School, Skywings Flight Training, Places Order for 4 Diamond Aircraft in Addition to Diamond Flight Simulator

On November 8, 2023,  Skywings Flight Training signed an order for four new Austro Engine jet-fuel powered DA40 NG at the European Flight Training Event (EATS) in Cascais, Portugal. Additionally, Skywings has recently ordered one Diamond Flight Simulator. With this new investment, the Diamond Aircraft Fleet at Antwerp Airport in Belgium, will be increased to seven aircraft (6x DA40, 1 DA42) and one Convertible DA40/42 FNPT II.

“The investment in modern, efficient aircraft allows Skywings to provide its students with the latest technology and a more sustainable flying experience. The Diamond DA40 NG is not only economical but also offers advanced avionics, preparing students for the modern cockpit environments they will encounter in their future careers as airline pilots,” says Pieter Brantegem, Chief Commercial Officer, Skywings Flight Training.

“Skywings Flight Training’s mission is to train with the best available on the flight training market while having safety as their number one priority, meaning their aircraft must meet the highest standards, and Diamond Aircraft represents the leading edge of general aviation aircraft, with an all-composite design, proprietary and environmentally friendly jet-fuel piston engines and Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpits, so this is a natural fit for both organizations,” says Jane Wang, Sales Director, Diamond Aircraft Austria. “Besides, they will benefit from all the advantages fleet commonality is offering – minimized instructor standardization, rapid student transition, reduced parts inventory, lower maintenance costs, as well as the convenience of a sole source provider.”

Delivery of the single engine DA40 NG training aircraft and the Diamond Aircraft FNPT II is expected for 2024.

About Diamond Aircraft’s Flight Training Solution

Diamond’s dedication to flight training has shaped its product line of modern fuel-efficient aircraft, each with a specific training application in mind. With its complete line of piston aircraft – including a dedicated flight training concept with Single Engine Piston (DA40 NG, DA40 XLT) and Multi Engine Piston (DA42-VI) trainers, along with type-specific flight training simulators and proprietary jet-fuel engines – Diamond Aircraft is the only sole source provider in the flight training market.

Source: Diamond Aircraft
Photo Credit: Diamond Aircraft

Related Posts

Training Aircraft Manufacturer, Pipistrel, Appoints Apex Aircraft for Sales and Support in Canada

Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, further expands its distributor network with the appointment of Apex Aircraft Sales Ltd. responsible for sales and support of Pipistrel aircraft in Canada.

Apex Aircraft Sales Ltd. will support the growing fleet of Velis Electro’s in Canada used for flight training as well as managing sales, service support and training for Pipistrel’s range of ultralight, light sport and type certified aircraft.

Gabriel Massey, CEO and President at Pipistrel, says: “We’re proud to continue growing our global distribution network with the appointment of our newest distribution partner. Apex has a passionate, dedicated team with a wealth of aviation knowledge who we welcome to the Pipistrel family. I’m looking forward to seeing them bring Pipistrel’s range of products to Canadian aviators.”

Anna Pangrazzi, Founder and President at Apex Aircraft Sales Ltd., says: “Everyone at Apex is excited we’ve been selected as Pipistrel’s Canadian distributor, which is a real endorsement of our team’s expertise. We can’t wait to begin showing Pipistrel’s products to our customers.”

Pipistrel announced the first Velis Electro delivery to Canada last year, to the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics. With a further two Velis Electro orders now secured for customers and due for delivery in 2023, Pipistrel and Apex is helping to develop a sustainable aviation fleet in Canada.

Apex Aircraft Sales Ltd. is based at the region of Waterloo international Airport, Breslau, Ontario.

About Pipistrel

In 2020, Pipistrel’s Velis Electro became the world’s first, and currently only, electric aircraft to receive full type-certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This achievement followed a series of electric aircraft introductions since the company began research and development of electric propulsion in 2000.  Pipistrel’s pioneering work has been recognized through awards from NASA, IDC, and other organizations. The company, which offers a family of gliders and light aircraft with both electric and combustion engines, has delivered more than 2,500 light aircraft worldwide since its founding in 1989 and additionally has both hybrid and electric propulsion models under development. Pipistrel is part of the Textron eAviation segment of Textron Inc.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems.

Source: Textron
Photo Credit: Textron

Related Posts