NE North Dakota News

The University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences has entered into a new agreement with Piper Aircraft Inc. to update its training fleet. The contract, signed last month, is the largest domestic training order in Piper’s history and will see 145 new aircraft delivered over eight years beginning in 2027.

This new agreement replaces a previous deal made in 2016 between UND and Piper. It covers both the Grand Forks campus and the school’s location in Mesa, Arizona. There is also an option for a two-year extension through 2036, which could increase the total number of aircraft purchased to as many as 188.

Robert Kraus, dean of the Odegard School, highlighted the long-standing partnership between UND and Piper Aircraft. “Piper remains a vital partner in the continued success of flight training at UND,” Kraus said. “We look forward to strengthening this collaboration as we prepare the next generation of pilots for careers in the airlines, business aviation and the U.S. military.

“The entire Piper team has been outstanding — responsive to our needs and collaborative in enhancing the components and capabilities of the Archer and Seminole fleets,” he added.

As part of this transition, older planes from UND’s fleet will be leased or sold once new aircraft arrive. “Our maintenance team has done an outstanding job taking care of the aircraft over the years, and the new owners will be able to use them for years to come,” Kraus said.

Piper Aircraft Inc., based in Vero Beach, Florida, manufactures single- and twin-engine models such as the Archer TX and Seminole—both key elements of UND’s current training fleet, according to Jeremy Roesler, Director of Flight Operations.