Piper Aircraft said flight school Sierra Charlie Aviation has ordered 50 Piper Archer TX trainer aircraft to replace its current fleet of competing single-engine models. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.
The Vero Beach, Florida-based company announced the order during EAA AirVenture this week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“We are looking forward to expanding our fleet partnership with a premier flight school such as Sierra Charlie Aviation,” said Ron Gunnarson, vice president of marketing, sales and customer support for Piper Aircraft. “Piper trainers are known for their reliability and ease of use, and we are honored Sierra Charlie has chosen Piper to help elevate their program to new heights. We are excited to officially welcome them into the Piper Flight School Alliance.”
The Archer TX is set up for training, with a Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit and a G5 standby display. Its standard interior is designed to withstand the stress and strain of flight instruction and factory air conditioning is an option. Piper said the aircraft, powered by a 180 hp Lycoming IO-360, cruises at 128 knots at 75 percent power.
“This strategic move marks an exciting chapter in our company’s growth, enabling us to deliver even greater value and exceptional flight training for our students and instructors,” said Scott Campbell, owner of Sierra Charlie Aviation. “The addition of these 50 Piper Archers allows us to offer increased availability, flexibility, and efficiency, ensuring that we continue to set the standard for excellence in flight training.”
Sierra Charlie Aviation, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, currently operates a twin-engine Piper Seminole, which is on display at the Piper Booth in Oshkosh, the company said, adding that the new Archers “will support the substantial growth the company plans to see over the coming years.”
