Piper Aircraft Announces Trainer Fleet Order from Blue Line Aviation

Community Submission

2 years ago

LAKELAND, FL. March 28th, 2023 – Today, Piper Aircraft is proud to announce that popular North Carolina flight school, Blue Line Aviation, has signed a purchase agreement for a large fleet of new Piper aircraft. The long-term agreement includes a full replacement of their existing single- and multi-engine fleet with both Archer TXs and Seminoles. This order consists of an initial firm commitment for fifty-five (55) aircraft, with an additional sixty (60) aircraft as options. Deliveries begin later this year.

Blue Line Aviation, headquartered in Smithfield, North Carolina, has catapulted to popularity over the past ten years in business. They are best known for their six-month Career Pilot Program, a career-driven program awarding students certifications from Private Pilot through Multi Engine Instructor. Their primary flight training location is located at Johnston County airport (JNX) in Smithfield, North Carolina. The organization also announced today their expansion into a new Winter Haven, Florida (GIF) location. Their new Piper fleet will be utilized at both locations, and the transition from their existing fleet to an all-Piper fleet will take place over the next four years.

“Blue Line has a track record of delivering results and rely on our partners to help us do so,” said Trey Walters, founder of Blue Line Aviation. “Expanding our fleet partnership to Piper is a step towards reliably expanding our fleet rapidly to serve more students. We are further excited to be purchasing American made airplanes built in the great state of Florida, which we will soon be calling home.”

Deliveries of Blue Line Aviation’s new Archer TX and Seminole aircraft will begin in the second half of 2023. “Blue Line Aviation has revolutionized the flight training market with their Career Pilot Program,” said Ron Gunnarson, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support. “We are honored to have them joining our Piper Flight School Alliance, and we look forward to helping them grow their mission to provide timely, cost effective and thorough flight training in the world’s finest training aircraft.”

About the Piper Archer TX

As a classroom, the Piper Archer TX provides students everything needed to learn to fly safely. Standard instrumentation includes a Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit and G5 standby display, a perfect mixture of low workload and high technology. Piper’s specially created flight school interior, designed to withstand the rigors of flight training, is standard, and the option for factory-installed air conditioning adds to the Archer’s appeal as a training aircraft. Building on over sixty years of PA-28 manufacturing expertise, the Piper Archer TX stands in a class all its own when it comes to reliability, stability, and ease of operation for students and instructors alike.

Specifications: 128 knots at 75% power maximum cruise speed, 522 nm (967 km) maximum range, service ceiling 14,100 feet (4,298 m) maximum approved altitude. Take-off distance 1,608 feet (490m), landing distance over 50-foot obstacle 1,400 feet (427m). Engine: 180 HP Lycoming I0-360-B4A with a Sensenich fixed pitch propeller.

About the Piper Seminole

The Seminole exceeds expectations with its reliability, durability and value. Generations of pilots have trained in the Seminole, but this Seminole is generations ahead with its tried-and-true construction, reliable Lycoming engines, stable handling capabilities, and standard Garmin G1000® NXi flight deck. Training on a Seminole eases students in the transition from single to multi-engine flying. Each Piper trainer interior is designed with maximum comfort and durability in mind. The ergonomic seating keeps both student and instructor relaxed, making their ability to focus on the flight and lesson easier. Heavy-duty vinyl and wear-resistant leathers are hand-fitted to the seats and sidewalls, proven to withstand repetitive use. The Seminole is designed specifically for efficient, comfortable and safe multi-engine flight training.

Specifications: 162 knots (300 km/h) 75% range maximum cruise speed, range 700 nm (1,296 km), 2,200 feet (671 m) take-off distance, 1,490 feet (454 m) landing distance over a 50-foot obstacle. Engines: two Lycoming IO-360-A1H6 rated at 180 hp each driving Hartzell two-blade propellers, constant speed and full feathering. Air conditioning is available as an option.

About Piper Aircraft, Inc.

Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, FL, offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single- and twin-engine aircraft and is the first general aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland. The single-engine M-Class series–the M600/SLS, M500, and M350–offers businesses and individuals elegant performance, value and a superior ownership experience. The Personal Class Archer LX and Archer DLX balance proven performance, efficiency, and simplicity in a piston-powered aircraft. The Trainer Class Pilot 100i, Archer TX, Archer DX, and Seminole aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. To learn more about Piper Aircraft, visit the company’s website at www.piper.com.

About Blue Line Aviation

Blue Line Aviation, established in 2012, is one of only a few flight schools in the world to provide quality flight training programs at an accelerated pace. In as few as five and a half months, students can go from no experience to fully confident and certified pilots, fully prepared for a career in aviation. Schedule a tour of our new state-of-the-art facility (located at 3149B Swift Creek Road, Smithfield, North Carolina) and let your new career take flight.