Vero Beach, FL – Piper Aircraft is proud to announce a new fleet agreement with the Air India Flight Training Center. The center has placed an order for 93 Archer DX aircraft, with 31 firm orders for delivery in 2025 and 62 additional options for 2026 and 2027. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
Air India’s decision to acquire the Archer DX aircraft is in line with their strategic vision to support their newly established flight training school in the city of Amravati, Maharashtra, India. This flight training school is set to become the largest aviation training facility in South Asia. This agreement also marks a significant step in Piper Aircraft’s ongoing global fleet expansion, particularly into the Asian market.
“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.”
“We are excited to welcome Air India to the Piper Flight School Alliance,” stated John Calcagno, President and CEO 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.”
About Air India Aviation Academy
Air India Aviation Academy is a 600,000 sq ft integrated aviation training academy, the biggest of its kind in South Asia, in Gurugram, India. It aims to train 50,000 aviation professionals, including pilots, cabin crew, ground handling, engineering and security staff over the next few years. Part of the Aviation Academy’s plan is to set up flight schools in preparation for the anticipated pilot shortage. The first flight school will be located in Amravati, Maharashtra and aims at training up to 180 pilots annually.
About the Piper Archer DX
Powered by the Continental CD-155 diesel engine, the Archer DX cruises at a speed of 114 KTAS / 211 km/h (at 70% power) on only 5.8 gph / 22 kph of jet fuel. The G1000 avionics come standard and provide a great mix of low workload and high technology. The special flight school interior, and the aircraft overall, -are designed to stand up to the rigors of flight training. The Archer DX offers competitive operating economics with a proven airframe perfect for flight training organizations worldwide.
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.
