Flight Schools

Hal Shevers, founder of world-renowned Sporty’s Pilot Shop, is retiring along with his wife, Sandy, after more than six decades in the business.  “Throughout his tenure, Hal spearheaded Sporty’s evolution from a small pilot shop into a respected global aviation brand, offering a vast array of aviation products, online courses, and educational resources,” Sporty’s said […]

In a Dec. 7 press release, ATP Flight School announced it has placed an order for an additional 40 Textron Aviation Cessna Skyhawk single-engine piston aircraft, with delivery scheduled to begin in 2026.  According to the Florida-based pilot training program, the latest agreement marks ATP’s fourth fleet purchase amounting to a total of 135 Cessna Skyhawks […]

The seemingly insatiable appetite for pilot training continues to grow unabated, as Textron Aviation announced today (Nov. 22) it recently signed an agreement with Lithuania-based Baltic Air Academy (dba BAA Training) for 48 Cessna 172 Skyhawks. The piston trainers are to be delivered in 2026. BAA Training is a member of the Avia Solutions Group, […]

Tecnam recently announced that New Zealand Airline Academy Ltd. (NZAAL) has ordered 10 training aircraft. The order includes eight single-engine Tecnam P2008 JC Night VFR models, one single-engine P-Mentor IFR trainer and one twin-engine piston P2006T Premium Edition advanced multi-engine trainer. The twin is currently en route from the Tecnam factory in Capua, Italy, to […]

Piper announced yesterday (Nov. 14) it has received an order for 90 Archer TX training aircraft from AeroGuard Flight Training. AeroGuard has four locations, three in the U.S. and one in Saudi Arabia. The company specializes in airline training, partnering with training providers at Cathay Pacific, SkyWest and Korea Aerospace University, among other airline and […]

KLM Flight Academy has ordered 14 Diamond aircraft with the goal of replacing its aging training fleet. The firm order includes 12 single-engine DA40 NGs and two twin-engine DA42-VI aircraft, with deliveries slated to begin during the first quarter of 2024. The school is currently using Socata TB-10s and TB-20s for single-engine training. “With the […]

The FAA has opened applications for a pair of grant programs designed to generate interest and prepare students to step into careers in aviation. Together, the Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants and Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants fund programs that educate pilots, aerospace engineers, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drone) operators and aviation maintenance technicians. […]

Tecnam recently announced that it has received fleet orders from U.S.-based flight schools HCH Aviation and Melbourne Flight Training. HCH Aviation, which provides flight training for Texas’ Stephen F. Austin State University, has signed up for 15 single-engine P-Mentors. The school currently flies Piper 100i and Tecnam P2002 Sierra MKII for single-engine training and the […]

Piper Aircraft announced at Sun ‘n Fun 2023 that it has received an order for a trainer fleet from North Carolina-based flight school Blue Line Aviation. The purchase agreement covers a firm commitment for 55 aircraft and options for an additional 60. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year. “Expanding our fleet partnership to […]

Over 700 people attended a “200 Free Flights” event held by California-based flight school Sling Pilot Academy earlier this month. The event brought high school and college students to Torrance Municipal Airport (KTOA) for free introductory flights and other aviation-related activities including simulator sessions, a tour of Sling’s aircraft manufacturing facility and a one-hour presentation […]