35 training aircraft from Piper are added to the CAE Oxford fleet

Piper Aircraft, Inc.and CAE announced today the introduction of 35 Piper single engine and twin engine training airplanes to its CAE Oxford Aviation Academy fleet.

The agree ment includes firm orders for 22 single-engine Archer TX training airplanes and 13 twin-engine trainers, as well as parts and service. Deliveries will start this spring with 27of the new aircraft going to CAE Oxford Aviation Academy in Phoenix, United States,and eight being sent later in the year to CAE Oxford Aviation Academy in Oxford, UK.

This initial order for 35 aircraft is part of a five-year fleet replenishment initiative agreement between the two companies. Under the agreement, CAE has designated Piper as its Preferred Aircraft Provider. CAE’s long term needs include the possibility of additional orders to continue its efforts to modernize its CAE Oxford Aviation Academy fleet.

“These Piper aircraft are equipped with multiple systems designed to enhance training and safety of flight, including flight data feedback systems and traffic awareness technology,” said Jeff Roberts, CAE Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services. “This addition of modern glass-cockpit aircraft is part of our goal to continue to make CAE Oxford Aviation Academy the highest-quality, safest network  of cadet flight schools in the world. Once cadets complete their flight training at our academy, part of the world’s largest commercial pilot training network with long-term and joint venture relationships with airlines on every continent, they will be ready to fully realize their dream of becoming airline pilots.”

“Piper is absolutely delighted that CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, a recognized world leader in civil aviation pilot training, has selected our company for its next large fleet procurement of learning aircraft,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. “The dual country destination for this fleet order is a first for Piper’s recent fleet sales and CAE’s order is confirmation that Piper single andtwin-engine aircraft provide the best value and most appropriate training platforms in the industry for today and tomorrow.”

All of the aircraft will be equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics suites and Garmin Traffic Advisory Systems. The aircraft will have satellite enhanced dual antenna traffic awareness technology, enabling one-second updates for traffic situational awareness.

The aircraft will also become the first ab initio aircraft in the world to be factory-equipped with CAE-designed flight data analysis and cockpit video recording systems. These systems record data, audio and video and are important new additions to CAE's Safety Management System (SMS). The recorded information will be replayed through the CAE Flightscape Insight flight data analysis software. It will enable students to debrief immediately after a flight using flight animation with synchronized audio/video and will allow CAE to gather statistical trends for longer term safety and performance benefits. This initiative provides for more consistent high-level training with objective flight animations and metrics to enhance the overall learning experience.

CAE Oxford Aviation Academy is the largest ab initio flight training network in the world with the capacity to train more than 2,000 cadets per year across 11 flight schools on five continents. Drawing upon over 85 years of pilot training expertise, CAE Oxford Aviation Academy cadet pilot training programs provide high quality, focused ab initio training to aspiring pilots across the globe. The range of programs includes CPL, ATPL and MPL training routes, all of which combine premier ground school courses with high quality flying instruction delivered in accordance with national aviation authority requirements. Training locations include Australia, Belgium, Cameroon, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

About The Piper Archer fulfills two missions with one airplane. The first mission is learning to fly. The second is gaining experience and knowledge in a very capable instrument cross-country airplane. As a classroom, the Piper Archer provides everything needed to learn to fly safely. Standard instrumentation includes the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit system, a perfect mixture of low workload and high technology. Comfortable  leather seats are standard, and the option for factory-installed air conditioning adds to the Archer’s appeal as a training aircraft. It is powered by the 180 hp Lycoming 0-360-A4M and offers 128 ktas / 237 km/h cruise speed.

About the Piper Seminole
The Piper Seminole is an advanced training aircraft with consistency and proven reliability in more than 20 years of service and hundreds of thousands of hours in flight school environments throughout the world. Students admire the airplane for its ability to teach advanced flight training maneuvers and procedures. Instructors appreciate the Piper Seminole's ability to teach these lessons in a safe and forgiving manner. Flight school owners appreciate the Piper Seminole's ability to keep students and instructors happy while increasing operating revenue. The Seminole is a twin-engine piston powered aircraft that seats four and is equipped with ThermaCool air conditioning. It is powered by two Lycoming  L/O -360-A1H6 each generating 180 hp. Its cruising speed at 75 percent power is 162KTAS / 300 km/h. Its range is 700 nm / 1,426 km. Standard equipment includes the Garmin G1000.