ATP Flight School has converted options for 12 more Archer TXs from Piper Aircraft to firm orders, the Vero Beach, Fla.-based aircraft manufacturer announced today. This is part of an agreement made in April 2013 through which the flight school would receive up to 100 aircraft. All of the new airplanes will be equipped with Garmin G500 glass-cockpit avionics suites.

ATP, which specializes in airline pilot training and pilot career development, initially agreed to purchase a fleet of 15 Piper Archer TXs for delivery in late 2013 with the option for 85 more. With this new order, Piper will have delivered 75 of the 100 trainers by the end of 2016.

Piper president and CEO Simon Caldecott said, “We are delighted with ATP's continued confidence in Piper Aircraft and our trainer products. Its consistent pace of aircraft orders and deliveries is a testament to the training equipment that we manufacture but also an indication of the growing pilot training activity. Our training aircraft sales continue to grow given the unmatched performance and operating costs that these airplanes offer.”