Light Sport Market In Asia Seen As "Burgeoning" Growth Area

Piper Aircraft, Inc. took the wraps (literally, see below) off the all-new PiperSport at the Singapore Air Show Tuesday as it made its debut in Asia/Pacific markets. Piper says the aircraft speaks to Piper's heritage in bringing seminal, entry-level airplanes to market while offering features and performance normally found in high-end aircraft.

PiperSport Arrives In Singapore

Piper President & CEO Kevin J. Gould made the announcement during a news conference held at the 2010 Singapore Airshow.
 
"With the PiperSport," Gould said, "Piper is entering one of the most exciting market segments in general aviation.  This burgeoning segment is becoming vital to our industry and playing an ever-increasing role in developing general aviation's next generation of pilots. The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will lead the way for our customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time. As the only aircraft manufacturer with models in every market segment, Piper continues to expand its business model to ensure that we are in tune with the times, meeting the needs of our customers at every level."

The PiperSport, manufactured by Czech Sport Aircraft (CSA) and distributed through  master distributor PiperSport Distribution, Inc., is immediately available for sale, with first deliveries scheduled for April.

"The PiperSport gives us versatility and an exciting entry-level aircraft that we think will be an excellent addition to our model line throughout Asia/Pacific and all our global markets," said Mary Messuti, Managing Director, Piper Aircraft Asia. "Bringing the PiperSport to our market here is yet another example of Piper's new focus on expanding operations in Asia/Pacific."

The PiperSport features a rate of climb of 1,200 feet per minute and is capable of reaching a maximum cruise speed of 138 miles per hour and an altitude of 10,000 feet. The aircraft has a gross weight of 1,320 pounds and 600 pounds of useful load.  With the ability to run on automotive fuel, the PiperSport's 30-gallon fuel capacity gives the aircraft a range of 600 nautical miles and the ability to refuel virtually anywhere in the world that offers either 100LL or premium, unleaded automotive fuel.

There are three variants of the aircraft: The PiperSport, the PiperSport LT (primarily a training model), PiperSport LTD (professional model).  Each model features the latest in luxury and is equipped with a 100-hp Rotax 912 engine and a BRS complete aircraft parachute recovery system.  Each model also features the same gross weight, speed, fuel capacity, and range.  Prices range from $119,000 to $139,000.

As to specific models, the PiperSport includes:

• Dynon D100 Flight Display
• Garmin 495 GPS
• Garmin SL40 Nav/Com
• Garmin GTX 328 Transponder
• Ameriking ELT
• PS Engineering PM3000 Intercom

In addition to the equipment in the base model PiperSport, the PiperSport LT substitutes the Dynon D120 Engine Monitoring system for the PiperSport's analog display, and the top-of-the-line PiperSport LTD also features the Dynon AP74/HS34 autopilot.

Gould underscored Piper's heritage in light aircraft and pointed out that CSA - Piper's supplier - is a leader in the Light Sport  Aviation segment of the  industry.  He added that the PiperSport models build on CSA's excellent products and reputation with added features specifically for the PiperSport.

"Piper's heritage dates from what was one of the original 'LSA' aircraft of its time: the venerable Piper Cub," Gould said. "Piper is in many ways returning to a market segment we played an integral role in inventing ... but with all the state-of-the-art elements that our customers expect today, from design and manufacturing to performance, avionics and reliability.

FMI: www.piper.com