Continental, an AVIC International Holding (HK) LTD company, announces the partnership with Piper Aircraft to launch the Pilot 100 and Pilot 100i training aircraft. Piper Aircraft has selected the certified Continental IO-370-DA3A engine for the new Pilot 100/100i single engine trainer. After careful consideration, Piper determined that the engine met their requirements to answer increasing requests from flight schools of all sizes for a robust, proven trainer platform at a lower price point in both VFR and IFR configurations.

With an all-time high demand for new pilots, Piper Aircraft has announced the Pilot 100/100i, to meet the needs of a wide variety of training schools and curriculums. Based on the PA-28 airframe, one of the most successful training platforms in the history of general aviation, Piper combined an airframe, avionics and engine package that allows the aircraft to be very aggressively priced and fills the need for a trainer tailored to the primary singleengine training needs of these schools. The Pilot 100/100i allows schools to invest in new initial trainers at a price point that is compatible with their needs while relying on a proven and tried design.

"We congratulate Piper Aircraft for their vision, ability to gauge the market trends, and their commitment to the training market. We are very excited to collaborate with Piper on the new certified engine design. We worked with the Piper engineering team to make sure that they benefit not only from an outstanding value, but also from all the enhancements that we have incorporated in our new engine line. This translates into smooth and trouble-free operations for flight academies and schools to let them concentrate on their primary mission: training rather than maintenance", said Rhett C. Ross, President, and CEO, Continental Aerospace Technologies.

"For 82 years, beginning with the original launch of the Piper Cub, we have worked with the Continental team given their commitment to product development, quality and service. With any product, a quality engine is key and for the Pilot 100, Continental stepped up to the plate to collaborate with our team and identity the best possible solution for flight schools both large and small. We identified the new engine as the ideal engine for the Pilot 100/100i given both its performance and support guarantees from Continental. We are excited to add the Pilot 100 series to our training product line at a price point that provides optimal economics for all operators", said Simon Caldecott, President and CEO of Piper Aircraft.