Six Piper Archers received and purchase agreement for 100 Piper Trainers: ATP Flight School

ATP Flight School accepted delivery of six new Piper Archer TXs and renewed a 100-aircraft order with Piper Aircraft. ATP operates the largest fleet of 402 flight training aircraft, the majority of which are Pipers. Despite the setback from COVID-19, the airline industry anticipates a recovery and strong long-term demand for airline pilots. Over 80,000 U.S. airline pilots will be forced to retire at age 65 over the next 20 years, in addition to those taking early retirement.

"Anticipated airline pilot demand exceeds the current capabilities of the flight training industry," said Michael Arnold, Director of Marketing, ATP Flight School. "ATP continues to invest in our graduates' careers with the best flight training fleet in the industry." ATP has opened six locations in 2020, and plans to add five more before the end of the year. The new Piper aircraft provide ATP students access to a reliable, technologically-advanced training platform.

"ATP continues to expand as one of the largest private training organizations in the United States. Piper Aircraft is delighted to be a part of their continued growth. The Archer and Seminole are durable training products that feature advanced avionics technology which make them ideally suited to the demands of ATP's rigorous training programs," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "We look forward to continuing to work with ATP as they continue their commitment of providing well trained pilots for the commercial aviation industry."

ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program prepares pilots for airline careers from zero time to 1,500 hours, with airline employment. Addressing the pilot shortage, airlines attract new pilots to the industry with ATP's Tuition Reimbursement Program, where airlines sponsor a portion of pilots' flight training loan repayment. ATP also provides type-rating and ATP CTP certification. ATP's 400-plus aircraft fly 350,000 hours annually to provide over 8,800 FAA pilot certificates each year. As America's largest flight school, ATP is the leading supplier of professionally trained pilots to the nation's regional airlines.