Italian-based Urbe Aero Flight Academy have “placed a large order for the purchase of brand-new training aircraft”; an investment that will see their existing 11-strong Diamond fleet bolstered by an additional eight airframes.
Joining seven other Diamond DA20-C1 aircraft already in use, seven new DA40-NG single-engined aircraft (augmenting Urbe Aero’s current nine examples) will be joined by one additional DA42-VI twin-engined trainer (alongside an existing three) at the training provider’s base in Rome Urbe airport.
The decision to remain with the same manufacturer is the latest chapter in a loyal relationship between Urbe Aero (established in 2003 as ‘Diamond Aero’) and the Austrian-headquartered manufacturer. Accountable Manager of Urbe Aero Flight Academy, Lorenzo Mezzadri, described the partnership as an “important collaboration… in which [Urbe Aero] believed from the very beginning”.
Jane Wang, Sales Director from Diamond Austria, believes this decision to operate “aircraft by the same manufacturer for both single engine and multi engine training” has allowed Urbe Aero Flight Academy to benefit “tremendously”, citing the minimised instructor standardisation, rapid student transition and reduced parts inventories offered by fleet commonality.
Alongside being equipped with Garmin G100 NXi glass cockpits (including an integrated autopilot for the DA40 and DA42), the 168 hp jet-fuel-powered AUSTRO AE300 engines are claimed to bring environmental benefits compared to avgas-burning alternatives. The additional eight airframes will bring Urbe Aero’s fleet of Diamond aircraft to a total of 19; described by Mezzadri as “an important acquisition to cope with current and future partnerships with European airlines”.
Accountable Manager of Urbe Aero Flight Academy, Lorenzo Mezzadri, described the partnership with Diamond Aircraft as an “important collaboration”
