Piper Aircraft received EASA type certification for its M600 single engine turboprop here at EBACE yesterday. The type certificate was presented by Steven Higgins, EASA section manager for high-performance aircraft and turboprops. “This is a very significant day for Piper,” said Simon Caldecott, Piper president and CEO. “With the recent approval by EASA for single-engine turbine airplanes to operate at night or in instrument conditions, the M600 is ideally positioned to take advantage of this expanded opportunity.” Caldecott noted this was the fifth certification for the six-seat M600, which received FAA certification last year. Here at the show the company has an M600, which is currently in the midst of a European tour, making its EBACE debut on the static display line.

The U.S. company (Booth Y65), celebrating its 80th anniversary, is already on a roll in 2017, Caldecott reported, with Q1 revenues up 60 percent (€21/$23.4 million) on a 13 percent increase in deliveries (25 aircraft), driven primarily by the M600. The company also delivered 19 trainers, including single-engine Archers and twin-engine Seminoles. Caldecott noted that 40 percent of the deliveries were outside the U.S., pointing to strengthening international demand.

The M600’s European tour has already led to three firm sales contracts, with more pending, Caldecott said, and he expects more sales growth during the year “as the aircraft demonstration tours continue and international type certifications are achieved.”

The M600, powered by a 600-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A, has a maximum cruise speed of 274 ktas, range of 1,484 nm, 2,400-pound useful load, and a Garmin G3000 avionics suite. A Hartzell five-blade propeller and flight into known icing system received FAA certification this year, and the company has introduced a personalization package for the aircraft, enabling customers to incorporate customized interior elements in the cabin as well as the exterior paint scheme.

Caldecott also announced that Australia’s Airflite will become Piper's exclusive distributor in Australia and New Zealand.