Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Skyborne Becomes First U.S. Customer of Piper’s New Seminole DX

USA – Piper Aircraft has received its first domestic order for the newly introduced diesel-powered Seminole DX from global flight training group Skyborne Airline Academy, marking a notable step in the transition toward more sustainable and performance-oriented flight training in the U.S. market.

  • Skyborne Airline Academy has placed an order for five (5) Seminole DX aircraft, the first U.S. customer to do so.

  • The Seminole DX, launched in July 2025, features DeltaHawk’s DHK4A180 heavy-fuel engine and offers:

    • 35% reduction in fuel burn

    • 32% increase in single-engine climb rate

    • 70% higher single-engine absolute ceiling

  • Skyborne will integrate the Seminole DX at its U.S. base in Vero Beach, Florida.

  • The acquisition follows Skyborne’s previous fleet expansion, having ordered over 30 Piper Pilot 100i aircraft since joining the Piper Flight School Alliance in 2023.

Statements

  • “Skyborne’s adoption of the Seminole DX reflects their forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence in flight training. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our vision for innovation and more sustainable future in aviation.” – Ron Gunnarson, VP of Sales, Marketing, Customer Support, and Quality at Piper Aircraft.

  • “The quality of our training is a reflection of the facilities, people and aircraft fleet that make Skyborne. As we continue to grow in the US, these aircraft will play a critical role in ensuring we consistently meet the expected high standards of flight training by our students. Our partnership with a trusted and reliable aircraft manufacturer ensures our students feel confident and safe during flight.” – Lee Woodward, CEO, Skyborne Airline Academy.

Source: Piper Aircraft

Related Posts

AeroGuard Flight Training Center Adds Diamond Aircraft, Scales Fleet Beyond 120 Planes with Plans for Additional Deliveries

Arizona, USA –headquartered global flight training group AeroGuard Flight Training Center, which operates a number of flight training bases, is excited to announce that it now surpasses 120 aircraft in its fleet, with further acquisition plans already underway to further expand the fleet to 130 before the end of 2025. This strategic growth comes as the school prepares to launch training for the United States Air Force, further establishing AeroGuard as a leader in ab initio flight training for both commercial and military aviation.

AeroGuard is adding six Diamond DA42 multi engine aircraft to its fleet in the coming weeks ahead of the launch of a new training program for the United States Air Force. Air Force student pilots will train in single-engine Piper Archers and transition to the DA42 aircraft during their multi engine phase of training.

The fleet growth continues with AeroGuard’s plans to add 5 additional Piper Archers at the end of this month, a continuation of the school’s 90 aircraft order from Piper Aircraft. Altogether, the school’s aircraft acquisition plans will bring the fleet to 130 planes before the end of 2025.

These aircraft will strengthen AeroGuard’s existing programs and support this new program with the Air Force. AeroGuard’s purpose-built program for the Air Force will be tailored to align with their standards and designed to start the officers’ future military pilot career with flight training in a safe, efficient, and professional environment.

AeroGuard continues to drive growth with the start of this new program, not only growing its fleet, but also expanding its footprint at the school’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona at the Deer Valley Airport. With these additional aircraft, the school is also adding more simulators to provide further learning resources and support student body growth.

As it aims to reach 130 aircraft and beyond, AeroGuard is further establishing itself as a leader in career-focused, professional flight training and supporting future domestic and international commercial airline pilots as well as future professional military pilots.

About AeroGuard Flight Training Center
AeroGuard Flight Training Center is a global leader in ab initio flight training with three U.S. campuses that offer accelerated commercial pilot training programs to candidates from all over the world. With a commitment to safety and student success, AeroGuard’s high-quality and career-focused curriculum has established airline-ready cadets for over 25 years with more than one million flight hours of training experience and graduating over 8,000 cadets.

Source: AeroGuard Flight Training Center

Related Posts

Airworks Aviation Academy’s President Visits Elixir Aircraft Factory As Part of Fleet Expansion Initiative

Philippines – Cebu based flight training organisation Airworks Aviation Academy, which is the official abinitio cadet flight training partner of Cebu Pacific, is currently in discussion with multiple aircraft manufacturers as part of its fleet modernisation and expansion initiative. The flight training group’s President Vincent Charles Ong visited France headquartered aircraft manufacturer Elixir Aircraft over the last week to evaluate the aircraft for potential addition to Airwork’s current Cessna Aircraft and Piper Aircraft fleet.

Source: Airworks Aviation Academy

Related Posts

Malaysian FTO HM Aerospace Expands Fleet With 4 New Single Engine Aircraft in 2025

Malaysia — HM Aerospace (HMA) has expanded its training fleet with the delivery of four new Diamond DA40 NG aircraft, enhancing its cadet training capacity and modernising its fleet mix.

  • With this addition, HMA’s current fleet now includes 11 DA40 TDIs, 5 DA42 TDIs, and 4 DA40 NGs.

  • The maiden test flight of the new DA40 NGs was conducted on 17 September by Head of Training Capt. Abu Bakar and Chief Flight Instructor Capt. Naveed Abdullah, ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards.

  • The DA40 NG, powered by an Austro AE300 engine, provides fuel efficiency, advanced avionics, and reliability, making it a preferred choice for ab initio training.

Earlier this year Meritus College hosted a commencement ceremony for approximately 20 new cadets enrolled in the HM Aerospace Diploma in Aviation & CPL/IR, marking the formal start of their pilot training journey. Both organizations are subsidiaries of Halim Mazmin Group. YBhg. Tan Sri Halim Mohammad, Executive Chairman of Halim Mazmin Group, attended to officially receive and inspire the cadets.

HM Aerospace was established 20 years ago, and the academy has graduated some 2,400 pilots who are flying with many of the world’s airlines today.

About HM Aerospace
HM Aerospace Sdn Bhd (HMA) is Malaysia’s Premier Flight Training Academy providing world-class training and facilities for cadet pilots. As a member of the Halim Mazmin Group, HMA has the capacity to train a minimum of 200 cadet pilots per year at its Langkawi facilities.

Source: HM Aerospace

Related Posts