Piper Aircraft, Inc. has taken orders for three twin-engine piston-powered Training Class Piper Seminole aircraft from the UND Aerospace Foundation who provides training and aircraft for the University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. The pilot training aircraft will be delivered later this year and join the Aviation Department’s training fleet of more than 120 aircraft. UND Aerospace flies over 130,000 hours of flight training annually.
The announcement was made at the start of Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany held from April 9 to 12. The Piper Seminole is the training aircraft of choice for UND’s multi-engine and MEI flight courses. The new Seminoles will be fully IFR equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics and GFC 700 autopilots. This initial delivery will add to the 17 Avidyne equipped Seminole aircraft that UND plans to replace with the G1000 Seminoles over coming years.
“These new Piper Seminoles will help our Aviation Department continue to graduate student pilots with exceptional aviation skills and technical abilities,” said Dr. Bruce Smith, dean of the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. “These Piper multi-engine trainers, equipped with modern glass cockpits and autopilots, will give our students the ability to attain the greatest knowledge, technical abilities and modern proficiencies possible prior to entering the work force.”
“The Piper Seminole is the best multi-engine piston-powered trainer available today,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. “With over thirty-five years of proven service, the Seminole’s ability to perform advanced maneuvers and procedures skillfully and safely continues to earn the appreciation of students and instructors. We are honored that UND Aerospace exclusively flies our twin-engine piston-powered trainers to prepare students for the next level of flight training.”
Each Piper trainer interior is designed for maximum comfort and durability. Ergonomic seating keeps students and instructors relaxed, increasing the ability to focus on flight operations. Heavy-duty vinyl and wear-resistant leathers are hand-fitted to the seats and sidewalls to withstand repetitive use.
Standard Seminole equipment includes: two 10.4″ high resolution XGA (PFD/MFD) displays, an Aspen Standby System (EFD-1000), an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), a solid state Air Data Computer (ADC), solid state 3-Axis Magnetometer, Dual IFR Enroute/Approach and WAAS Certified GPS systems. Also included is an Electronic Engine Indication System (EIS), Dual Nav/Comm (16 watt) radio, a GTX 33ES Transponder with Extended Squitter, Digital Audio Panel, Traffic Information Systems (TIS), and Terrain and Obstacle Mapping.
While neither party is announcing the value of the contract, a standard equipped Piper Seminole starts at $683,400. Seminoles are powered by two 180 HP Lycoming engines, have a maximum takeoff weight of 3,800 pounds, a max speed of 202 kts and a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet.
