Piper Aircraft Receives Another Record-Breaking Fleet Contract

press release



VERO BEACH, FL. - April 2, 2019




Piper Aircraft announced today that L3 Commercial Aviation has placed an order for up to 240 new Piper aircraft options to expand and modernize its aircraft training fleet across its Airline Academy pilot training sites. The new fleet will support the growing demand for its cadet pilot programs in light of the global shortage of pilots. This is the largest civilian fleet order received in company history and comes on the heels of a similar deal announced in 2018 for 152 aircraft from Fanmei Aviation Technologies.

The aircraft on order will be equipped with the latest technology used on commercial jets, providing the perfect training environment for pilots of the future as they prepare for their goal of joining a commercial airline. As part of the contract, the first 26 aircraft will be delivered in 2019 from April onwards. The order includes 19 single-engine Piper Archers and seven twin-engine Piper Seminoles.

“Many cadets tell us that the first time they take to the skies is one of the most exhilarating and important momentswithin their training journey. That’s why we are continuously exploring ways to improve both the quality and capacityof our training facilities,” said Geoff van Klaveren, Vice President of Airline Academy, which is part of L3 Commercial Aviation. “This significant investment in expanding and modernizing our fleet with these brand-new aircraft will help us in our aspiration to provide the highest-quality training while meeting the increasing international demand for new pilots from our airline customers.”

“We are delighted to sign this long-term agreement with L3, knowing that trusted Piper trainer aircraft will once again launch thousands of aspiring pilots’ careers around the world,” said Simon Caldecott, CEO and President of Piper Aircraft. “Our advanced training aircraft are the ideal classrooms for cadets to learn and first experience theunique joy of flying.”

The new aircraft will be based at L3’s Airline Academies in Florida, U.S.; Ponte de Sor, Portugal; and in the U.K.The deal represents a significant investment in L3’s infrastructure and training capacity throughout its international footprint.



About L3 Commercial Aviation

L3 Commercial Aviation provides holistic solutions across a wide range of services to the commercial aviation industry. From check-in to touchdown, L3 Commercial Aviation’s integrated solutions work to make air travel safer,more efficient and more effective. Its expertise spans on-aircraft avionics, integrated airport security and completepilot training offerings. It combines products and services from L3’s Aviation Products, Commercial TrainingSolutions, and Security & Detection Systems business units, as well as ACSS, a joint venture of L3 and Thales. Tolearn more about L3 Commercial Aviation, please visit the company’s website at www.L3CommercialAviation.com.



About L3 Technologies

With headquarters in New York City and approximately 31,000 employees worldwide, L3 develops advanced defense technologies and commercial solutions in pilot training, aviation security, night vision and EO/IR, weapons, maritime systems and space. The company reported 2018 sales of $10.2 billion. To learn more about L3, pleasevisit the company’s website at www.L3T.com.



About Piper Aircraft

Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single- and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series – the M600, M500, and M350 – offers businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Personal Class Seneca V, Archer LX and Archer DLX balance proven performance, efficiency, and simplicity in a piston powered aircraft. The Trainer Class Warrior, Archer TX, Archer DX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V 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 learnmore about Piper Aircraft, visit the company’s website at www.piper.com.