Blue Line Aviation, an independent commercial pilot training\nschool in Smithfield, North Carolina has grown the flight school’s fleet to 31\naircraft with the addition of three new Diamond DA-40 NG planes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Together, the new airplanes represent a $1.5 million\n(approximately) investment in education in Johnston County. This investment is\njust a small portion of the total order for 50 Diamond aircraft that Blue Line\noriginally placed in 2021 and further exercised the additional 50 options in\nthat order in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commercial airline pilots are in demand. According to the US\nBureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), over 18,000 pilots are needed per year\nthrough 2031, with an average pay of $134,630. And Blue Line’s goal is to help\nfill the positions with highly skilled pilots that have been trained at Blue\nLine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With its growing Diamond Fleet, Blue Line Aviation will now\nbe able to train an additional twenty students each year, and the purchase will\ncreate seven new jobs in Johnston County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The addition of these airplanes will play an integral\nrole in our tireless efforts to train the next generation of professional\naviators” says Adam Walters, President of Blue Line Aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new aircraft purchase will directly impact the recipient\nof this years ‘Fly Right Scholarship’. The newly announced Blue Line flight\ntraining scholarship will award $100,000 to a graduate of Johnston County\nPublic Schools. The opportunity to pilot these state-of-the-art planes will be\nan invaluable asset for the student chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“In spite of the efforts of some in the local\ngovernment, Blue Line continues to grow. We look forward to announcing further\nexpansion plans soon, which will include relocating some assets from Johnston\nCounty to a new training center” says Trey Walters, Co-Founder of Blue\nLine Aviation.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n