Patria Pilot Training has purchased five training aircraft and two flight training simulators from Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH. The purchase consists of four single engine DA40 NG aircraft and one DA42-VI multi-engine training aircraft, together with two Flight Navigation and Procedures Trainers (FNPT II) for DA42-VI aircraft. The fleet of DA40s will be used for basic and instrument training, while the DA42 will be used for multi-engine training.
“The new Diamond fleet will increase Patria´s training capacity considerably and will allow us to train our students faster in the very competitive training market. Diamond is well-known for its high quality aircraft and we are pleased to extend our cooperation with the company”, said Lassi Matikainen, President, Patria Aviation.
The first flight training device will be delivered in April and the first DA40 NG aircraft in June 2017. The remaining fleet and the second simulator will be delivered before the end of August 2017 to Patria’s new training center in Tampere-Pirkkala. The contract includes an option to order more DA40 NG aircraft before the end of 2018.
Currently Patria operates two DA42 NG aircraft, with the new purchase, Patria´s Diamond fleet will include seven training aircraft and two flight training simulators. Patria will continue to operate nine Tecnam P2002JF aircraft together with the new trainers to answer what they say is strong demand in pilot training markets in Finland and internationally. All trainers will be used for Finnair’s MPL cadets’ training. Patria has recently also purchased an Airbus A320 Flight Training Device for their MPL training program.
