Piedmont Airlines is a regional airline that has been in operation since 1948. Founded by Thomas Davis in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the airline initially flew single-engine planes between small airports in North Carolina and Virginia. Over the years, the airline has grown to become one of the largest regional carriers in the United States.
The Piedmont Airlines fleet has grown over the years to include more than 100 planes. Initially, the airline operated a fleet of single-engine planes including the Cessna 170, Cessna 180, Beechcraft Model 18, and Piper PA-20 Pacer. By the early 1970s, the airline had added larger, twin-engine planes such as the Fairchild F-27 and the British Aerospace Jetstream 31. In the mid-1980s, Piedmont Airlines began operating a fleet of regional jets and turboprops, including the Fokker F-27, ATR-72, and Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia. Currently, the fleet consists of a mix of regional jets and turboprops, including the Bombardier CRJ-700, Embraer EMB-145, and Beechcraft 1900D.
Piedmont Airlines has had a long and interesting history. Here are five of the most important milestones in the airline’s history:
1. In September 1948, Piedmont Airlines became the first commercial airline to offer scheduled service in North Carolina.
2. In 1979, Piedmont Airlines became the first regional airline in the United States to operate the Fokker F-27 jet.
3. In 1987, Piedmont Airlines acquired Henson Airlines, which made it the largest regional airline in the US.
4. In 1989, Piedmont Airlines merged with USAir, which was later renamed US Airways.
5. In 2015, Piedmont Airlines became part of the American Airlines family and was renamed Piedmont Airlines, Inc.
Over the years, Piedmont Airlines has had its share of incidents. In 1973, one of its planes crashed in North Carolina, killing all 21 passengers and crew aboard. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error. In 1987, Piedmont Airlines was the subject of a federal investigation after a series of incidents that included a plane flying too close to another plane and a plane running out of fuel mid-flight. The investigation resulted in several pilot suspensions and a $500,000 fine.
Today, Piedmont Airlines is one of the largest regional carriers in the United States and is a part of the American Airlines family. It has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1948 and has maintained a solid safety record in the decades since. With its fleet of regional jets and turboprops, Piedmont Airlines is able to provide reliable service to its customers and is well on its way to many more years of success.
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