Paragon Flight Training, an award-winning flight training academy based at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida, has completed its goal of purchasing 10 new Piper P100i aircraft in 2022, taking possession of the final four aircraft on Dec. 29. The announcement was made by Paragon Flight President Christopher Schoensee and follows November's news that the company purchased a new Piper Seminole, an aircraft model essential for commercial pilot training.
“2022 has been an exceptional year for Paragon Flight Training, as we made significant investments in nearly every aspect of our academy, including new training aircraft and simulation technology, curriculum development and streamlining and, most importantly, adding world-class staff to help us teach the next generation of commercial pilots,” Schoensee said. “We are deeply committed to the flight training industry and our increased training capacity is already being put to excellent use as a record number of students discover the opportunities for a well-paid, fulfilling career in commercial aviation.”
The acquisition of Piper 100i aircraft is part of Paragon Flight’s longer-term fleet modernization strategy, first announced in February 2022, to purchase 40 additional Piper aircraft over the next five years. The company also recently purchased a Frasca flight training device, which will be delivered in early summer 2023, as a complement to the Piper Seminole. Featuring an exact button-for-button replica of the Seminole’s cockpit and characteristics, the Frasca device provides an immersive and positive training experience. Paragon Flight’s investments further support its Professional Pilot Program (P3), an FAA-accredited program for accelerated professional pilot training launched by Paragon Flight earlier this year.
While reflecting on 2022, which included a 28,000-square-foot expansion of Paragon Flight’s facility, Schoensee gave a nod to the Fort Myers community and Paragon’s aviation partners for the company’s successful year despite the challenges wrought by Hurricane Ian.
“The aviation industry locally and nationally, along with the tireless efforts of the Fort Myers community at all levels, are to be commended for their commitment to keeping families safe and businesses viable throughout an extremely traumatic time, which continues to be felt by many today,” Schoensee said.
