Training Outfit Orders 20 Planes; Will Provide Owner Training

Nothing kicks off an event such as AOPA Expo like a big order... and Diamond Aircraft announced Thursday that Airline Transport Professionals (ATP) has purchased 20 single-engine Diamond D-Jets to be utilized in ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program.

ATP President Derrick Dennis adds his company will also use the D-Jets -- and five Diamond Flight Training Devices (FTDs) ATP also ordered -- to train new owners, and allow them to receive type-ratings for their new planes.

"ATP also looks forward to working closely with Diamond to ensure that D-Jet training is readily available to D-Jet owners," Dennis said.

ATP currently employs a Cessna CitationJet for jet aircraft introductory flight training. Dennis (shown above right, with Diamond CEO Peter Maurer) says the D-Jets will allow the company to dramatically increase the amount of jet experience for their Airline Career Pilot Program students.

"Our dispatch and flight operations team does an excellent job managing the logistics of our current fleet of nearly 100 aircraft nationwide. While monumental in the history of our company, 20 D-Jets will seamlessly integrate into the ATP system."

"The D-Jet is the perfect fit for our company," Dennis said. "It was the only choice for ATP."

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com, www.allatps.com