This delivery, marking the second phase of Piper’s Pilot 100i rollout this year, boosts Florida Tech’s fleet to a total of eight Pilot 100i aircraft.
Piper Aircraft, Inc. is thrilled to announce the delivery of four more Piper Pilot 100i aircraft to the Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) in Melbourne, Florida. This delivery, marking the second phase of Piper’s Pilot 100i rollout this year, boosts Florida Tech’s fleet to a total of eight Pilot 100i aircraft. the first phase of Piper’s Pilot 100i was delivered on 31 July 2024.
This expansion comes at a pivotal time for Florida Tech Aviation, which has experienced an impressive 80% growth in enrollment over the past three years. With flight operations expected to rise by 36%, the efficiency and performance of the Pilot 100i are anticipated to be key drivers in supporting this growth. The $3.2 million, future-facing acquisition, approved by the university’s Board of Trustees in January, will bring to nearly 50 the number of aircraft in the FIT Aviation fleet. the diverse fleet now includes nearly fifty aircraft, featuring Archers, Seminoles, Warriors, and the new Pilot 100i.
Dr. John Nicklow, President, Florida Tech,said, “What makes all of this even more meaningful is that many of our alumni working at Piper helped design, build and test these aircraft. It’s a high-flying example of the power of a Florida Tech education in action.”
The excitement surrounding the delivery was palpable as 17 Florida Tech alumni, now employed at Piper Aircraft, joined the Florida Tech team to celebrate. These alumni, working across various roles in engineering, project management, technical marketing, and flight testing, reflected the diverse and successful careers fostered by a Florida Tech education.
Marc Ouellet, Piper’s VP of Engineering and Manufacturing, stated, “It’s an honor to continue supplying planes to our long-term Flight School Alliance member, Florida Tech. Their program is one of the best, and we know from firsthand experience as we have multiple Florida Tech graduates working at the Piper factory. We are proud that Piper trainers are known for their ease of use and reliability, and we know that is what makes us the top choice for flight schools’ training needs, in addition to our outstanding customer support.”
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The celebration continued with an event at Florida Tech Aviation’s Melbourne campus, where the university and Piper Aircraft teams gathered to mark the milestone. The occasion was not only a tribute to the growing aviation program but also a testament to the enduring partnership between Florida Tech and Piper Aircraft, celebrating both the past and future achievements of their collaboration.
