UND Aerospace Seals Historic $155M Deal with Piper Aircraft Fleet
The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota has penned a record-breaking fleet agreement with Piper Aircraft Inc. The deal, valued at an estimated $155 million, involves up to 188 aircraft and marks the largest domestic training order in the history of Piper.
This eight-year contract, unveiled at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, commits to the delivery of 145 aircraft starting in 2027. These new additions will replace the existing fleet at both the Grand Forks and Mesa, Arizona campuses of UND. The agreement also includes a potential two-year extension that could extend the contract through 2036.
“The aircraft are dependable and play a big part in keeping our students safe in all their phases of pilot training,” said Mark Roesler, UND’s flight operations director. The new aircraft will also feature enhanced Garmin datalink systems, further improving safety and maintenance analysis.
Key Highlights:
- Historic fleet agreement between UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and Piper Aircraft Inc.
- Deal valued at approximately $155 million for up to 188 aircraft
- Largest domestic training order in Piper’s history
- Eight-year contract announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025
- Delivery of 145 aircraft to start in 2027, replacing existing fleet at UND’s Grand Forks and Mesa campuses
- Potential two-year extension through 2036
- New aircraft to feature improved Garmin datalink systems
Source: https://blogs.und.edu/und-today/2025/08/und-aerospace-purchases-record-order-from-piper-aircraft/