Republics Airways Holdings announced Thursday, May 31st it will open Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy in Indianapolis, selecting the AUSTRO ENGINE jet-fuel piston engine-powered Diamond Aircraft DA40 NG and DA42-VI as the flight school’s fleet, along with Diamond Flight Simulation Devices.
The 50 aircraft order represents the largest order for piston training aircraft by any U.S. based airline in history. Initial deliveries for the new fleet of Diamond Aircraft will begin in 2018, with the majority of deliveries in 2019.
The DA40 NG and the DA42-VI represent the newest versions of Diamond’s technology leading piston aircraft fleet, the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframes, avionics and powerplants.
The DA40 NG and DA42-VI are equipped with efficient, clean and reliable jet-fuel piston Austro engines and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics systems, representing the very best of modern piston aircraft technology. “We commend Republic Airways on their industry-leading vision with respect to training the next generation of airline pilots” said Scott McFadzean, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. “Republic Airways is proactively responding to the global pilot shortage issue by creating a world class direct-to-hire training institution, which will not only utilize the most modern piston training aircraft technology available but also take advantage of Diamond’s operational cost efficiencies, low environmental impact and best safety record in the industry.”
Republic is taking a unique approach to addressing the growing pilot shortage by being the only regional airline to operate its own training academy specifically designed to create a direct-to-hire (classroom-to-cockpit) path for its students. LIFT Academy will position aviation as a highly attractive career path that offers exceptional benefits for those interested in exploring possibilities outside a traditional four-year-degree program. LIFT Academy will revolutionize pilot training by introducing the most technologically advanced training program while removing barriers such as cost and accessibility that currently limit the pilot career to a narrow demographic.
“We believe the joy of flight should be available to all, and by partnering with our local schools and others in our community, we are offering intellectually curious, aspiring aviators a world-class training program and a guaranteed, post-graduation pathway to a career at Republic,” said Matt Koscal, Senior Vice President, Republic Airways Holdings. “We look forward to building LIFT Academy, leveraging Diamond’s industry-leading technology, cost effectiveness, safety and environmental responsibility.”
About Republic Airline:
Republic Airline, based in Indianapolis, operates a fleet of about 190 Embraer 170/175 aircraft and offers scheduled passenger service with about 950 daily flights to 100 cities in 40 U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. The airline provides fixed-fee flights operated under its major airline partner brands of American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express. The airline employs about 5,500 aviation professionals. Visit <link http: www.rjet.com>www.rjet.com for more information, follow the Company on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and connect on Facebook or LinkedIn.