Piper
Piper Delivers Fifth Seminole to United Aviate Academy at EAA AirVenture
Piping in another milestone for its training fleet, Piper Aircraft handed over a factory-fresh PA-44-180 Seminole to United Aviate Academy during the gathering at EAA AirVenture. This latest handoff marks the fifth aircraft of this model received by the academy, with additional twin-engine units slated for arrival during the latter half of the year. The ceremony coincided with the one-year anniver
The academy, situated in Arizona, has seen substantial growth since opening its doors in 2022. To date, the institution has graduated in excess of 400 pilots, accumulated more than 230,000 flight hours, and finished over 170,000 lessons. United Aviate Academy provides student pilots with a direct career route to the flight deck at United Airlines, provided they meet the hiring criteria and successfully complete the Aviate curriculum.
Executives from both organizations highlighted the collaboration during the event. Ron Gunnarson, who serves as the vice president of sales, marketing, customer support, and quality at the manufacturing company, expressed satisfaction in watching the academy integrate the new twins into active operations and supporting their ongoing expansion. Michael Hales, the chief executive officer of the academy, noted that the twin-engine additions represent a significant investment in student futures and help guarantee steady, high-grade multi-engine instruction.
The choice to join the manufacturer's flight school alliance stems from the aircraft's dependable service record, straightforward handling, and the comprehensive fleet support provided by the maker. Industry training providers frequently utilize this twin-engine type for student instruction due to its predictable behavior, standard six-lever throttle arrangement, and overall ease of handling from the initial takeoff.
Manufactured as a certified four-seat, twin-engined aircraft, the model has a maximum take-off weight of 1723.65 kg and a wingspan of 11.58 m. Powered by two air-cooled flat-four engines delivering 134.23 kW of power each, the machine achieves a cruise speed of 300.95 km/h and a range of 1694.58 km. The airframe incorporates a high T-tail configuration and serves widely across global markets for professional flight instruction.
Sources: Piper Aircraft