ATP, the USA’s leading flight school, has taken delivery of six new Piper Archer TXs, taking its predominantly Archer-manufactured training aircraft to a fleet total of 412. In addition, the company has renewed an order for an additional 100 Piper aircraft.
While the airline industry currently battles against the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-range forecast is that recovery will be very positive. It is estimated that within the next 20 years, there will be 80,000 pilot retirements, excluding those who opt for early retirement.
“Anticipated airline pilot demand exceeds the current capabilities of the flight training industry,” said Michael Arnold, Director of Marketing, ATP Flight School. “ATP continues to invest in our graduates’ careers with the best flight training fleet in the industry.”
Currently operating from six locations, ATP is looking to expand that number to eleven by the end of 2020. “ATP continues to expand as one of the largest private training organizations in the United States. ATP’s 400-plus aircraft fly 350,000 hours annually to provide over 8,800 FAA pilot certificates each year.