Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Aerospace recently received delivery of six new Diamond Aircraft 2020 DA 40 XLT aircraft to its student training fleet and the Austria-based manufacturer also refurbished 13 aircraft in the university’s existing fleet.

The final two new planes arrived Friday, June 19. Diamond imported them to the U.S./Canadian border and university officials picked them up near Detroit, Michigan. MTSU received the first four planes from Diamond in April.

MTSU students and certified flight instructors Cole Ferraro and Copher Kashif land one of six new Diamond Aircraft DA40 planes acquired by the university’s Aerospace Department on Friday, June 19, at Murfreesboro Airport. The final two planes arrived from Canada. Partner Diamond Aircraft is also refurbishing 13 MTSU planes. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU, a Diamond customer since the early 2000s, and the company made a joint announcement of the purchase of the new planes and refurbishing of more than half of the current fleet. MTSU utilizes 27 Diamond planes for training student pilots.

The six new planes and 13 refurbished planes cost a combined $3,586,330.

“We have been experiencing record growth (of professional pilot majors) prior to COVID-19,” said Nick Lenczycki, MTSU Flight Operations Center program manager, citing the need for additional student training planes. “As a result, we have been adding aircraft for the last few years.”

MTSU’s Department of Aerospace has grown into one of the most respected aerospace programs in the nation. Seventeen full-time faculty members, 75 flight instructors, and around 1,000 majors place it among the largest of the nation’s collegiate aviation programs.

Dr. Bud Fischer

Dr. Mark Byrnes

“We’re excited to add these new planes to our fleet,” MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes said. “Our Aerospace program ranks as one of the best in the nation, and these planes will be key in our flight instruction.”

College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer said Diamond Aircraft “are our choice because of their superb maintenance record and their track record of reliable service in a busy flight-training environment.”

“Diamond Aircraft would like to congratulate MTSU on the new aircraft purchase and on choosing to refurbish their existing fleet,” said Scott McFadzean, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.

“MTSU and Diamond Aircraft have a long and outstanding relationship and Diamond will continue to support MTSU’s mission to prepare students to become leaders of the next generation of aviation professionals. We are honored to continue to provide the industry’s safest training platforms for student pilots.”

Following the arrival of the first four planes, Lenczycki said students “were able to fly them as soon as we reopened from our COVID-19 shutdown.”

MTSU students and certified flight instructors Ryan Patterson, front, and Cole Ferraro and Copher Kashif fly in the newest additions to the MTSU fleet of Diamond Aircraft from the Canadian factory to Murfreesboro Airport on Friday, June 19. Diamond flew four new planes to Murfreesboro in April. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

The two newest additions will soon be available for students’ training use.

Lenczycki credits Diamond Aircraft “for flying the original four new planes down for us and for bringing the remaining two across the border.”

Nick Lenczycki

“When the first four aircraft received certification, the university had just announced that all travel was suspended,” he said. “The U.S./Canadian border was closed to nonessential traffic. In order to assist us, Diamond had its pilots (already deemed essential) deliver our aircraft at no cost. The manufacturer sent a chase plane to pick up the team.”

Regarding the refurbishing of 13 aircraft by its factory service center, the Diamond announcement said since the airframes (airplane bodies) do not have a life limit, the company is revamping the interior, updating some avionics options and painting and restriping the old aircraft to look as good as new.

“The 13 aircraft are mid-life aircraft, so to keep them looking great we sent them back to the factory to be returned in like-new condition,” Lenczycki said. “Six of these aircraft also had an avionics upgrade that resulted in a more standardized training fleet — a better experience for our students.”

MTSU senior and certified flight instructor Jesse Rigsby and junior aerospace professional pilot major McKayla Petty perform maintenance and check off their list after flying a new Diamond Aircraft back to Murfreesboro Airport Friday, June 19. Two new planes and a refurbished aircraft flew in late in the day. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

About MTSU/MTSU Aerospace

A comprehensive, innovative university, MTSU attracts students to more than 300 distinctive bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs that prepare graduates to thrive in their chosen professions and a changing global society. MTSU’s Department of Aerospace has grown into one of the most respected aerospace programs in the nation. Seventeen full-time faculty members, 75 flight instructors, and around 1,000 majors place it among the largest of the nation’s collegiate aviation programs.

About Diamond

Diamond Aircraft, headquartered in Austria with facilities in Canada and China, is among the leading aircraft manufacturer in general aviation. Founded in 1981, Diamond has pioneered many aviation first and achieved numerous milestones and industry expert accolades. It has more than 1,000 employees. More than 5,000 Diamond airplanes are flown by private pilots, professional flight training operators and institutions worldwide. For more, visit here.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

As sunset approaches, MTSU aerospace students and certified flight instructors Ryan Patterson, partially hidden left. Cole Ferraro and Copher Kashif perform their final checks and unloading after flying in two new Diamond Aircraft on Friday, June 19, from Michigan near the Canadian border. MTSU purchased six new planes and is having 13 planes refurbished. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)