(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Pilot Training program debuted five new single-engine Piper Pilot 100i airplanes used for student instruction on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the TSTC Airport.
The airplanes arrived earlier this week from Piper Aircraft Co.’s headquarters in Vero Beach, Florida.
While the new planes still need to go through some steps for flying, the program’s certified flight instructors and students have been enjoying the Piper airplanes they already have.
Reid Rademacker graduated from TSTC’s Aircraft Pilot Training program in 2024 and is a certified flight instructor. He said he is proud that the college is making investments that will last for years.
“It modernizes the fleet with brand new aircrafts which should mean less problems,” Rademacker said.
Sawyer Tacker, of West, is in his first semester in the Aircraft Pilot Training program. Tacker said he is having fun in the program and is eager to pursue a field he dreamed of growing up.
“Once they start giving you the controls, it’s surreal,” he said.
Tacker said he enjoys the avionics system in the new airplanes because they are easier on the eyes.
The program has been replacing its fleet since fall 2023 when the first shipment of Piper Pilot 100i airplanes arrived. Additional planes were added to the fleet in 2024.
“With 15 of these Piper Pilot 100i, as the latest technology aircraft and our already flying multiple Twin Piper aircraft, we are pleased to offer these safe aircraft for our students to start their flying careers in,” said Angel Newhart, director of alignment and program team lead for TSTC’s Aircraft Pilot Training program.
Some of the features on the airplanes include Garmin-label electronic flight instruments and primary flight displays, synthetic vision, LED wing tip lights, and vinyl floor covering. Each airplane can hold 48 gallons of fuel, according to company information.
TSTC’s Aircraft Pilot Training program offers an associate degree along with a certificate of completion in Aircraft Pilot Training Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at the Waco campus.
Registration continues for the spring semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.