Piper Aircraft is proud to share a strong start to 2023 following a successful 2022, which included celebrating our 85th anniversary and rolling out exciting innovations company wide. We delivered 236 total aircraft in 2022, and are on track to surpass our delivery number from previous years in both the trainer and M-Class families in 2023.
Coming out of Q1, Piper Aircraft announced some extraordinary accomplishments and initiatives as a company. In late March, we shared that once again Piper will be the first OEM to market with the latest technology from Garmin—PlaneSyncTM. This new connected aircraft management system will be available in our flagship product, the M600/SLS, later this spring. PlaneSyncTM allows owners to stay connected to their M600/SLS by remotely accessing key information about their airplane through the Garmin Pilot app, including but not limited to viewing fuel levels, oil temperature, exact aircraft location and weather, and database currency status. Another key feature of PlaneSyncTM is that it will automatically update aircraft databases when connected via a 4G LTE connection or Wi-Fi.
In addition to PlaneSyncTM, Piper has worked closely with Garmin to incorporate even more updates into the G3000 system. The expanded software includes enhancements to synthetic vision, onboard weather radar, taxiway routing depiction, glide range ring capabilities, and stabilized approach callouts for increased situational awareness, to name a few.
In April at AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany, we announced the approval of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Piper turboprops, including the M600/SLS, M600, M500, and Meridian. This represents an exciting next step toward Piper’s commitment to making aviation a safer, greener, and more accessible industry. The new SAF includes the designation as Jet A and Jet A-1, and the introduction of SAF to the Piper turboprop line will not require a change in aircraft placarding or Pilot’s Operating Handbooks. SAF is not only FAA approved via SAIB NE-11-56R4, but is available for use in every country that turbine M-Class aircraft operate.
The SAF announcement comes at the heels of another recent commitment from Piper to promote sustainability in general aviation, initially revealed at EAA AirVenture 2022. Piper Aircraft and CAE are collaborating on an electrically powered conversion kit via a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for in-service Archer TX aircraft. Upon certification, CAE plans to convert two-thirds of their existing Piper Archer TX training fleet, and will be the first to develop a curriculum for new pilots to conduct training in an electric airplane. These Archer TX advancements will significantly reduce carbon emissions, while preparing pilots to operate greener, electric aircraft.
Within our trainer family, our Flight School Alliance continues to expand, and now includes Blue Line Aviation, best known for their six-month Career Pilot Program, a career-driven program awarding students certifications from Private Pilot through Multi Engine Instructor. Their primary location is in Johnston County, North Carolina, and they have just recently announced an expansion to Winter Haven, Florida. Recently at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, Blue Line Aviation signed a purchase agreement for up to 115 Piper Archer TXs and Seminoles, which will be utilized at both flight training locations. The transition from their existing fleet to an all-Piper fleet will take place over the next four years.
For more information on recent updates from Piper Aircraft, come see us at EBACE 2023 at Booth AD_12 and i46. We will have three aircraft that will be showcased at our booth; the flagship M600/SLS, M350 and Archer DLX.
Business Aircraft:
M600/SLS
Safety, Luxury, and Support—the Piper M600/SLS brings even more meaning to Piper’s Freedom of Flight legacy. Powered by the reliable Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 600 SHP turboprop engine, you’ll climb high above traffic and weather in luxurious, customized comfort. Your aircraft also comes standard with HALO® technology, including Garmin’s Collier Award winning Emergency Autoland system. The M600/SLS was the first aircraft ever to market with this technology, and Piper is proud to present it to you as standard equipment. You’ll feel performance and comfort in and outside the cockpit, thanks to a clean-sheet wing design, autothrottle, and the state-of-the-art Garmin G3000 avionics package.
M500
From Piper’s first single engine turboprop legacy, the Piper Meridian, comes the incredible Piper M500. Featuring the reliability of Pratt & Whitney’s PT6A-42A engine and the tried-and-true PA-46 airframe, the M500 is ready to support you throughout a variety of missions. Your passengers will appreciate the luxuriously appointed interior, with an added level of safety coming from the impressive Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite.
M350
Take flight in the only pressurized piston single engine aircraft in production today, the Piper M350. With a 350 HP Lycoming TIO-540 twin-turbocharged engine, and a maximum cruising altitude of 25,000 ft/7620 m, the M350 effortlessly provides the Freedom of Flight to you and your passengers. With an advanced Garmin G1000 NXi three-screen avionics display and an impressive group of safety features that come standard, your M350 gives you the flexibility to bring you and your passengers to your favorite destinations in luxurious comfort.
Personal Aircraft:
Archer DLX
Building on over 60 years of manufacturing excellence, the Archer DLX elevates the venerable PA-28-181 airframe to a new level. The Archer DLX is the luxury model of the Archer DX, that features a customizÂable interior and numerous avionics options. The Jet A burning ContiÂnental CD-155 FADEC system adds efficiency and range with decreased fuel consumption, compared to the competitors’ AVGAS-burning airÂcraft. Whether you are starting your aircraft ownership experience or looking to elevate your daily commute with a comfortable cross-counÂtry machine, the Archer DLX is ready to help you meet your goals.
