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Republic Airline Training Program Fleet Chooses Diamond Aircraft

Order represents the largest training aircraft order in U.S. airline history.

Diamond Aircraft’s new DA40NG and DA42-VI, both of which burn jet fuel rather than avgas, have been chosen by Republic Airline as the new fleet training aircraft for the airline’s new Leadership In Flight Training program, according to a Diamond Aircraft news release. Republic ordered 50 DA40s and DA42s (along with Diamond Flight Simulation Devices) in the largest order in history for piston training aircraft by a U.S. based airline. Deliveries of the aircraft will begin this year, with the majority of deliveries taking place in 2019.

Republic Airline launched the LIFT program in May in response to the increasing pilot shortage. LIFT Academy, based at Indianapolis International Airport, provides students with a guaranteed path to fly for the airline. Republic is currently the only regional airline offering a training program specifically crafted to offer a direct-to-hire path for flight students.

“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 by creating a world class direct-to-hire training institution, which will not only utilize the most modern piston training aircraft technology available, but will also take advantage of Diamond’s operational cost efficiencies, low environmental impact and best safety record in the industry.”

The DA40NG and DA42-VI are the newest Diamond aircraft and are the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframes, avionics, and powerplants. The DA40NG and DA42-VI offer efficient, clean, and reliable jet-fuel piston Austro engines. In addition, the aircraft are equipped with G1000 NXi avionics.

“We look forward to building LIFT Academy, leveraging Diamond’s industry- leading technology, cost effectiveness, safety and environmental responsibility,” said Matt Koscal, Senior Vice President, Republic Airways Holdings.

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