FEATURED MANUFACTURER – PIPER AIRCRAFT
Category: GA Buyer Europe Magazine
Author: GA Buyer Europe
Fuel Efficiency Drives
European Demand for Pipers
Spurred by higher European demand for fuel-efficient business aircraft,
Piper Aircraft Inc. grew its new aircraft deliveries and sales revenue
during the first quarter of 2012. The robust first-quarter performance
continued an upward trend established by Piper the previous two years,
when its new airplane market share grew in a declining overall market.
“Recently, we have seen many European
owners and operators focus on the miserly
fuel flow of Piper’s M-Class single-engine
airplanes,” said Enrico Evers, Piper’s Director
of Sales for EMEA". “So far this year, we have
delivered three Piper Meridian
turboprops
into France
and a Piper
Mirage
pressurized
single in
Switzerland,
and already
we have four
more M-class
models set
for delivery
to retail
customers
located in
Europe yet
this year.”
He indicated that the reception so far in 2012
has been much stronger than anticipated.
Evers said several of the new Pipers replace
older, larger and less fuel-efficient twinturbine
aircraft, with the greater attention to
the high price of aviation fuel in the region.
Strong International Sales
Piper’s international aircraft deliveries
continued to outpace those in the United
States, with sales in Europe especially
vigorous. The company’s international
success clearly demonstrates the wisdom
of its aggressive globalization strategy,
Evers added.
He attributed the boost in Piper M-Class
sales to the potency of Piper’s European
dealer network. “All of our dealers are fielding
more customer inquiries and the recently
ended AERO Friedrichshafen aviation trade
show generated more leads and aircraft
demonstrations
than past
years.”
“Winters
Aviation, with
responsibility
for new Piper
airplanes sales
in Belgium and
France, has
been particular
effective,”
Evers said.
“But indeed the
whole EMEA
Piper dealer
network has
been strong,” he added. Businesses are
focusing on more economical and efficient
aircraft throughout Europe, consistent with
the impact of European and American debt
issues on companies, he noted. During the
first quarter, Piper delivered 21 airplanes
internationally and 16 within the United
States. Six of the 37 deliveries were for
the company’s flagship Piper Meridian
single-engine M-Class turboprops, while
the company delivered 12 Piper Mirages,
the popular single-engine pressurized
piston-powered M-Class business aircraft.
Piper’s training aircraft also remained strong,
with 17 total deliveries of Seneca V,
Seminole, Archer, Warrior and Arrow
airplanes.
New Dealer in Netherlands
Earlier this year, Piper Aircraft named Piper
Netherlands, at Teuge International Airport,
as the company’s sales representative in the
Western European country. Its affiliate, Stella
Aviation Maintenance, is responsible for parts
and service.
EMEA Dealer Network
Much of the company’s recent sales success
is tied to Piper’s strong international dealer
organizations.
About M-Class Aircraft
Three refined derivatives comprise the full
line: the Meridian, the Mirage and the Matrix.
Each product fits it own niche and price
point, and each aircraft provides a seamless
step-up to the next level. Created to maximize
the private travel experience, the MClass
line balances performance, efficiency and simplicity.
The Piper Meridian is a single-engine
turboprop that seats six with club seating.
It is powered by the P&WC PT6A-42A 500
shp engine and has a 260 KTAS / 482 km/h
max cruise speed and a range of 1,000 nm /
1,885 km. The standard equipped list price is
2,134,000 USD, equipped with the Garmin
G1000 avionics suite.
The Mirage
The Piper Mirage is a single-engine pressurized
piston that seats six with club seating.
It is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A
350hp engine and has a 213 KTAS / 394
km/h max cruise speed and a range of 1,343
nm / 2,491 km. The standard equipped list
price is 1,038,000 USD, equipped with the
Garmin 1000 avionics suite.
The Matrix
The Piper Matrix is a single-engine
unpressurized piston that seats six with club
seating. It is powered by the Lycoming
TIO-540-AE2A 350hp engine and has a 213
KTAS / 395 km/h max cruise speed and a
range of 1,343 nm / 2,491 km. The standard
equipped list price is 904,000 USD, equipped
with the Garmin 1000 avionics suite.
Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft, Inc. is headquartered in Vero
Beach, Florida. A global force in aviation,
Piper is an investment of the Ministry of
Finance of the Government of Brunei.
The company offers efficient single-engine
and twin-engine trainer, personal and
business aircraft. With economical acquisition
and operating costs, Piper airplanes deliver
the best value available today and into the
future. Piper is a member of the General
Aviation Manufacturers Association.
More information visit – www.piper.com
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