Academy to Buy 10 Diamond DA20s from LifeStyle Aviation

Flight school says it expects to buy as many as 40 of the trainers in the coming years.

FLT Academy said it plans to buy as many as 40 new DA20 trainers over the next few years. [Courtesy: Diamond Aircraft]

FLT Academy, a flight training company operating in Utah, said it has agreed to purchase 10 new Diamond DA20 aircraft from LifeStyle Aviation, with an option to increase the order to 20 aircraft.

The flight school, which is also a training partner of regional carrier SkyWest Airlines, expects to further boost the size of its DA20 fleet to as many as 40 aircraft during the next three years as it continues to pursue its growth plans.

FLT Academy plans to integrate the new two-seat, single-engine DA20s into its existing fleet of 50 training aircraft based at Woods Cross and Spanish Fork, Utah. The school’s fleet currently includes DA20s, DA40s, twin-engine DA42s and two-seat Sport Cruisers.

“We are excited to continue our growth by adding these Diamond DA20s to our fleet,” said Jason Clark, founder and CEO of FLT Academy. “As a flight school committed to providing world-class training, we are always looking for ways to improve and provide our students with the best possible learning experience. The DA20 is a perfect fit for our needs, and we are confident that it will help us continue to make flight training more accessible and affordable for our students.”

LifeStyle Aviation, headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, has more than 15 years of experience in aircraft sales to flight schools and other clients worldwide.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with FLT Academy to provide them with the most modern flight training aircraft in the industry,” said John Armstrong, LifeStyle’s founder and president. “Overall, the Diamond DA20’s combination of safety, efficiency, performance, and comfort make it an ideal aircraft for the flight training market.”

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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