Air India Flight Training Centre, Air India’s new Pilot training school in Amravati has entered into a new fleet agreement with Piper aircraft for 93 Archer DXs aircraft. The airline has placed a firm order of 31 aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2025 with an option of 62 additional aircraft to be delivered in 226-27.

The first deliveries of this popular trainer aircraft is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025.

"We are excited to welcome Air India to the Piper Flight School Alliance,” says John Calcagno, president and chief executive of Piper Aircraft. “We take pride in supporting institutions like Air India by providing aircraft that are renowned for their reliability and ease of use, ensuring the success of the next generation of airline pilots." 

According to Piper, this agreement is a significant step for the company as it advances its global fleet in the Asian market. Air India's decision to acquire the Archer DX is in line with its strategic vision to support the newly established flight school, which is on track to be the largest aviation training facility in South Asia.

Salient features of Archer DX

  • Powered by a Continental CD-155 diesel engine
  • Low-wing airplane is capable of cruising at a speed of 114 ktas at 70 percent power on only 5.8 gallons of jet fuel
  • Cockpit is equipped with a G1000 avionics suite, described as a "great mix of low workload and high technology
     

Apart from the above, the aircraft boasts a special interior designed to stand up to the rigors of the flight training environment.

"It is an honor to collaborate with Piper Aircraft to bring the Piper Archer DX to our new training center," said Campbell Wilson, CEO and managing director of Air India. "This investment underscores our commitment to equipping our pilots with cutting-edge training tools. The addition of these aircraft will enable Air India to train hundreds of cadets in our pilot programs."

Air India Aviation Academy is a 600,000-square-foot integrated aviation training facility that will eventually train 50,000 aviation professionals, from pilots to ground handlers, within the next few years.