Six Twins Going To Firm Specializing In Airline Pilot Training

A fleet of six Piper Seminole multi-engine piston-powered advanced training aircraft is being acquired by Airline Transport Professionals. The airplanes will be delivered before the end of the year.

Piper Seminole File Photo

The announcement was made in Long Beach, where both companies are exhibiting at the AOPA event. While both companies are not disclosing the fleet purchase price, retail value of six Seminoles is approximately $3.9 million. "The Piper Seminole has proven itself in hundreds of thousands of hours of flight school training around the world," says Piper Executive Vice President Randy Groom. "ATP students admire the airplane for its ability to help them learn advanced flight training maneuvers and procedures while the instructors appreciate the Piper Seminole's ability to teach these lessons in a safe and forgiving manner."

Piper Executive VP Randy Groom

With the purchase, the flight training operation will operate 87 Piper Seminoles in its training fleet. The company also operates 50 Cessna 172s, five Diamond DA40s and a CitationJet. The new Piper Seminoles are powered by two Lycoming O-360-A1H6 engines each generating 180 hp, with a 2,000-hour time between overhaul. Seminoles have a 15,000-foot service ceiling.

FMI: www.piper.com