First Turboprop In ATP's Fleet Of More Than 200 Piston Aircraft

Piper has delivered an M-Class Piper Meridian to Airline Transport Professionals (ATP) for use as that company's first Piper turboprop for turbine training and crew cross-country experience in its Airline Career Pilot Program. "ATP is the first flight training organization to integrate turbine experience into its ab initio airline training," said ATP Vice President Jim Koziarski. "ATP picked the Piper Meridian for its cost efficiencies and transferability of piloting skills to other equipment."

"This add-on purchase of a new Piper Meridian turboprop on the heels of its other large Piper fleet purchases is yet further confirmation of the confidence that the ATP organization places in reliable and economical Piper airplanes," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "It also reflects Piper's recommitment to training the world's future pilots."
 
The new single-engine Piper Meridian is the first Piper turboprop integrated into ATP's fleet of more than 200 piston-powered aircraft, which already includes more than 130 Piper aircraft. The latest order is in addition to a 30-airplane Piper Seminole fleet option placed with Piper by ATP in 2011. ATP also recently exercised options for 10 additional new Piper Archer TXs, bringing to 25 the total number of the single-engine training aircraft ordered by ATP so far in 2013. The 10 latest Archer TX options will be delivered in 2014. Under a 100-airplane deal announced earlier this year, ATP has options for 75 more Piper aircraft.

(Piper Meridian image from file)

FMI: www.piper.com