Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) has purchased two brand new Diamond DA40 XLT aircraft from Utility Air, the exclusive Diamond Aircraft distributor for the region.
Both aircraft will be delivered directly from the Diamond factory in October 2026 and based at FTA's academy at Parafield Airport in Adelaide.
The new DA40 XLTs will join FTA's training fleet of more than 50 aircraft across its Parafield and Wellcamp campuses, further strengthening the school's position as the largest operator of Diamond DA40 aircraft in the region.
Utility Air managing director Stephen Pembro congratulated FTA on the acquisition. 'Their continued commitment to investing in brand new platforms further reinforces our view of FTA as one of the leading flight training schools, not only in the region, but in the world,' Pembro said.
FTA chief executive officer and director Pine Pienaar said the order reflected a longstanding relationship with Utility Air. 'Utility Air has consistently delivered the right aircraft solutions when we have needed them most,' Pienaar said. 'This acquisition was no exception, reinforcing the strength of our longstanding relationship and the confidence we place in their team.'
FTA, founded in 1982, delivers ab initio through to advanced airline pilot training for carriers including Cathay Pacific, IndiGo, STARLUX, Skymark Airlines, J-AIR, Air Niugini and Vietnam Airlines, and operates the Qantas Group Pilot Academy in Toowoomba.