Company Says Manufacturing And Deliveries 'Level-Loaded,' Dealer Network Growing

Piper Aircraft reports that it performed well during 2012, a year of steadiness and preparation for future growth that also marked the 75th anniversary of the company's founding.

"We stabilized the manufacturing and delivery of new aircraft throughout the year as our initiative to level-load factory production met with success. At the same time our overall aircraft deliveries rose faster than the rest of the industry," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott (pictured). "The company also continued to work on long-range plans for the future."
 
As the company firmly level-loaded increased aircraft production and deliveries, it continued to globally expand its dealer network, concentrated on delivering improved higher-end M-Class aircraft and recommitted to its trainer class line.
 
Deliveries of 2012 cabin-class M-Class aircraft featured enhanced cabin features for ease of access, brighter lighting, improved sound and electrical service, and better air distribution. Strengthening its commitment to pilot training, Piper delivered 10 Piper Seminole training aircraft to Airline Transport Professionals and completed delivery of 18 Piper Warrior training aircraft to Sekolah Tinggi Penerbang Indonesia, the government flight school at Budiarto Airport in Curug, Indonesia.
 
In 2012, Piper continued to expand its global network by announcing new representatives in the Netherlands, Chile, India, Central America, Korea, Turkey and China. The company also located a sales manager in China to further develop that growing potential market.

Among the highlights for the year was the April delivery of 18 Piper Warrior training aircraft to Sekolah Tinggi Penerbang Indonesia, the government flight school at Budiarto Airport in Curug, Indonesia. Sekolah Tinggi Penerbang Indonesia (STPI) educates pilots under the auspices of the Ministry of Transportation for the Republic of Indonesia. In July, Piper and Pratt & Whitney Canada announced a 10-year agreement for the continuing purchase of PT6A-42A turboprop engines to power Piper's flagship aircraft, the single-engine M-Class Meridian, and celebrated the Piper Cub's 75th Anniversary all week during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. Additionally, the company exhibited its single-engine M-Class aircraft lineup and several twin-engine aircraft along with the famed Piper Cub, which launched the company in 1937. EAA AirVenture 2012 also was the initial site for a multistate demonstration tour for the Piper Seneca V twin-engine turbocharged aircraft.

In September, Piper delivered the landmark 500th pressurized single-engine turboprop M-Class Meridian to SouthEast Piper for delivery to a Florida-based owner.

Later in the year, Piper and the Florida Institute of Technology launched a Piper Aviation Career Alliance to educate and provide enhanced vocational opportunities for aviation program graduates as well as graduates from other programs offered through the school. The five-year agreement includes a fleet of new Piper training aircraft for the institute and enhanced career opportunities for its students and graduates through Piper internships, scholarships, career interviews, and mentoring. The company also reached agreements with the state of Florida and Indian River County to amend the company's economic development incentive contracts with each government entity to retain the company's headquarters and manufacturing operations in Vero Beach.

FMI: www.piper.com